A component ‐by‐component characterisation of high‐risk atherosclerotic plaques by multiphoton microscopic imaging

Conclusions: Recognition of the distinct signatures of various plaque components suggests that MPM has the potential to offer next‐generation characterisation of atherosclerotic plaques. The higher lateral resolution (comparable to histology) images generated by MPM for identifying plaque components might complement larger field of view and greater imaging depth currently available with optical coherence tomography imaging. As the next step MPM would need to be evaluated for intact vessel imaging ex vivo and in vivo. Lay description Multiphoton microscopy (MPM), an optical imaging technique that allows visualisation of fresh tissue at high resolution (comparable to histopathology) without any tissue processing or staining. In this proof of principle experiment, MPM reliably distinguished various arterial plaque components in ex vivo tissues. In our study, MPM imaging was performed on morphologically diverse aortic and coronary artery plaques obtained during autopsy. The images were acquired from both fresh (unprocessed) and formalin‐fixed unstained tissue sections. High‐risk plaques that are vulnerable to rupture and thus lead to acute coronary events are composed of a large necrotic lipid rich core, neovascularisation, intraplaque haemorrhage and a thin fibrous cap that is inflamed. On the other hand stable plaques have a thick fibrous cap and a small lipid core. The signature of various plaque components including cholesterol crystals, haemorrhage, macrophages, calci...
Source: Journal of Microscopy - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research