Researchers at the University of Tübingen have developed a method that can be used to better investigate atherosclerosis in a mouse model. The non-invasive imaging method aims to better understand and treat vasoconstriction as a cause of heart attacks and strokes.
In addition, the number of test animals can be significantly reduced. The results were published in the journal Circulation Research [1]. The new method is based on an artificial positron emission tomography (PET) reporter enzyme. This is produced specifically in the vascular muscle cells of mice using a genetic trick. It causes these cells to accumulate a radioactive substance that is harmless to the animal: the PET tracer. The radiation is detected by PET and visualized on the screen. PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to determine the location, position and number of vascular muscle cells.
