This work was supported by studentships from the University of Edinburgh (NSK) and Carnegie Trust (LL; Henry Dryerre scheme) and funding from the British Heart Foundation (PWFH, BRW, DJW; RG/05/008; PG/05/007; PG/08/068/25461) and Wellcome Trust (JRS, BRW, DJW; 08314/Z/07/Z). The authors are grateful to support for their work provided by the BHF-funded Centre of Research Excellence award to the Centre for Cardiovascular Science.
The authors are particularly grateful for advice from Professor Masataka Sata (University of Tokushima) and Dr Igor Chersehnev (in Dr Ernane Reis&#8217; group at Mount Sinai School of Medicine) on establishment of the surgical models of neointimal lesion production. The video produced and made available by Sata et al.(http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/~msata/english.htm) was particularly useful.

1. Surgical Induction of Neointimal Lesions in the Mouse Femoral Artery
<ol>
	<li>Experiments using animals should be performed in accordance with national and institutional ethics requirements. All surgery should be performed using appropriate aseptic technique. Induction of neointimal lesions is achieved using a modification of the technique described by Roque et al.12 and Sata et al.13.</li>
	<li>Weigh male C57Bl6/J mice (Age 10-12 weeks; weight 25-30 g) then anaesthetize by delivering 4-5% isoflurane in an induction chamber. Once anesthesia has been induced, transfer the mouse to a heated mat to maintain body temperature at 37 &#176;C. Continue administration of isoflurane (2-3%) via a mask.</li>
	<li>Once an appropriate level of anesthesia has been induced (lack of response to toe pinch), provide analgesic cover by administration of buprenorphine (0.1 mg/kg-1). Then place the mouse in a supine position and shave the ventral surface of the left hindlimb.</li>
	<li>Make an incision to expose the muscles of the upper hindlimb and, between the bifurcation with the popliteal artery and the abdominal wall, use blunt dissection to isolate the femoral artery and vein from the femoral nerve. Irrigate the wound as required using 1% w/v lignocaine.</li>
	<li>Place proximal (close to the abdominal wall) and distal (immediately below the branch with the popliteal artery) temporary ligatures (6/0 Mersilk) around the femoral artery and vein to control blood flow. Then isolate the popliteal artery (for approximately 2-5 mm distal to the branch with the femoral artery) and ligate distally. Place a second, untied ligature beneath the popliteal artery.</li>
	<li>Make a small incision (arteriotomy) in the popliteal artery, immediately distal to the branch with the femoral artery, preventing bleeding by applying pressure to the proximal temporary ligature. Advance a straight, sprung 0.014&#8221; guidewire 1-1.5 cm along the femoral artery in the direction of the abdominal wall and leave in place for 30 sec (Figure 1A).</li>
	<li>Remove the guidewire and ligate the popliteal artery above the arteriotomy, using the ligature placed for that purpose, and taking care not to occlude the femoral artery. 
	NOTE: For ligation-induced injury. Neointimal remodeling without intraluminal injury can be induced by ligating the femoral or popliteal arteries (Figure 1B and 1C). To achieve this follow steps 1.1-1.5. However, do not make the arteriotomy but (avoiding step 1.6) either (i) ligate the popliteal artery immediately distal to the femoral artery or (ii) ligate the common femoral artery at the branch point with the popliteal artery. Then proceed with step 1.8.</li>
	<li>Remove temporary ligatures, close the wound with a discontinuous external suture (5/0 Mersilk) and apply EMLA cream (2.5% lidocaine, 2.5% prilocaine). Allow the animals to regain consciousness (usually 5-10 min) and ensure they are moving freely around their cage (slight lameness may be evident in the affected leg but this should resolve over the first 2-3 days after surgery) before returning to holding rooms. Mice do not have to be housed singly after surgery.</li>
	<li>Allow the animals to recover for up to 3 months. Small lesions will begin to appear ~7 days after wire injury and will reach a stable maximum size after ~ 21-28 days.</li>
</ol>
2. Induction of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Apolipoprotein E-/- Mice
<ol>
	<li>Administer western diet (0.2% cholesterol; Research Diets, USA) to male, 6 week old ApoE-null mice (bred in house) for 12 weeks.</li>
	<li>Atherosclerotic lesions are often visible on gross inspection of the aortic arch and its major branches (Figure 2).</li>
</ol>
3. Analysing Arterial Lesions using Optical Projection Tomography (OPT)
NOTE: OPT images of lesions in murine femoral arteries and aortic arch samples were obtained using an optical projection tomograph.
<ol>
	<li>Euthanize mice by transcardiac perfusion fixation and exsanguination under terminal anesthesia (80 mg/kg sodium pentobarbital), using heparinised (10 U/ml) phosphate buffered saline (PBS) followed by 10% neutral buffered formalin.</li>
	<li>Isolate femoral arteries or the aortic arch and its major branches (left carotid artery, left subclavian artery, brachiocephalic trunk), as appropriate, and remove extraneous peri-adventitial material. Post-fix in 10% buffered formalin O/N, before storage in 70% ethanol until needed.</li>
	<li>Embed arteries in 1.5% low melting point agarose, pre-filtered through Whatman 113 V paper. Attach each sample to a magnetic OPT mount with cyanoacrylate adhesive with the vessel axis in line with that of the mount. Trim excess agarose to a conical shape. Dehydrate in 100% methanol for at least 12 hr.</li>
	<li>Clear vessels by immersion (for 12-24 hr) in a mixture of benzyl alcohol and benzyl benzoate (1:2 v/v).</li>
	<li>Place cleared samples in a calibrated tomograph. Set resolution to 1,024 x 1,024, and determine an optical magnification that allows the entire area of interest to be seen. OPT volume is isotropic the z-axis is reconstructed to the same resolution (i.e., 1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024), voxel size ~200 &#181;m. This may represent an over-estimate of resolution as there are likely to be reconstruction artifacts. Adjust sample position so that it rotates upon its own axis in the center of the field of view in the bright-field, transmission channel.</li>
	<li>In the GFP1 filter emission channel (excitation filter 425 nm with 40 nm band-pass; emission filter: 475 nm long pass), focus the specimen and adjust exposure time to maximize the dynamic range of the resulting image (avoid over-saturation). Scan the vessel in the GFP1 emission channel only, with a 0.9&#176;rotation step.</li>
	<li>At completion, confirm quality of data acquisition using DataViewer software. Remove specimen from the scanner.</li>
	<li>To allow subsequent histological analysis, place sample in 100% methanol for &#62;24 hr before processing to paraffin wax as normal.</li>
</ol>
4. Image Reconstruction and Analysis
Tomographic re-construction by filtered back-projection is performed using NRecon software or similar. Reconstructions can be performed unattended, in batches.
<ol>
	<li>Improve image quality by compensating for misalignment and adjusting image intensity levels.</li>
	<li>Check the quality of image reconstruction using DataViewer software.</li>
	<li>Identify the appropriate section of the sample for analysis. Keep this length consistent between vessels if luminal dimensions are to be recorded.</li>
	<li>Define the outline of the lesions by manually tracing the appropriate border for 1 in every 50 re-constructed cross-sections.</li>
	<li>Check each interleaved cross-section to ensure computer-generated interpolations are correct. Manually adjust the border where necessary.</li>
	<li>Set the grey-level threshold so that only the lesion is selected and export the measurement data.</li>
	<li>For each scan, define a vertical region of interest containing the lesion and trace the border between media and neointima (i.e., the position of the internal elastic lamina) for every 50th scan-line. Interpolate intima/media borders for the interleaved scan lines in software, and verify and correct the fit where required. Further segment this defined three dimensional volume to a manually-defined intensity threshold to produce a binary image set in which white pixels represent neointima and black pixels represent patent lumen.</li>
	<li>Measurements taken include: total lesion volume (object volume), luminal volume (total volume &#8211; object volume) and the distribution of lesion and lumen cross-sectional area along the axial length of the studied vessel.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have no competing financial interest.

3-dimensional analysis has great potential for replacing or adding to the 2-dimensional histological techniques that still underpin the majority of investigations of arterial lesion formation. Here OPT is shown in small murine arteries (with murine femoral arteries probably representing the smallest vessels that can be analyzed successfully using this technique). It is, however, also suitable for use with arteries (and lesions) from other species, including small-to-medium sized human vessels; our group has successfully used the technique to analyze lesions in rabbit aorta (Bezuidenhout et al.; unpublished). OPT promises faster analysis and increased structural information compared with traditional histology and has the advantage of not preventing subsequent analysis of the sample using both histological and immunohistochemical techniques.
The images produced using OPT gave anatomical detail, showing sites of lesion formation and the size of lesions in these areas. The arteries used in these investigations are probably close to the limit of resolution for the technique and image quality is therefore impaired to a certain degree by artifacts (probably resulting from rotation misalignment, incomplete clearing, reflection/refraction at the agarose vertices and focusing problems). Despite this, the details required (i.e., layers of the vessel wall) remain discernable and therefore the technique is extremely useful for the quantification of individual layers. Indeed, images could be quantified rapidly and reproducibly to provide measurements of lesion and luminal volume in plaque-bearing sections of the vessel, as well as cross-sectional areas of the lesion and lumen at selected sites in the sample. Large (aorta) and medium sized (femoral, carotid, subclavian) murine arteries &#8211; those generally used for analysis of atherosclerotic and neotintimal lesion formation in mice &#8211; were successfully analyzed using this method. Indeed we have now used OPT to demonstrate the effect of pharmacological interventions and genetic manipulation on atherosclerotic and neointimal lesion size. For example, endothelin receptor blockade altered neointimal lesion formation whereas selective deletion of the endothelin B receptor from the vascular endothelium did not15. In atherosclerosis prone mice, genetic deletion of the enzymes 11&#946;-HSD116 or galectin 317 were shown to reduce the size of atherosclerotic lesions.
Quantification of lesion volume is an obvious benefit of OPT. It gives a more informative indication of the total lesion burden in an artery4 than is usually obtained with histological methods. Analyzing the entire lesion reduces selection bias and error that will inevitably occur when discrete sections of a vessel are chosen for analysis. Production of longitudinal lesion profiles is a further strength of OPT, emphasized by the comparison of lesions induced by different types of injury13,16 (Figure 5). For example, both complete ligation and wire-insertion induced almost total occlusion close to the femero-popliteal bifurcation. Wire injury, however, produced lesions that extended along the entire length of the scanned section, whereas lesions induced by arterial ligation rapidly diminished in size and disappear. This pattern&#160;is consistent with the greater extent of injury caused by insertion of the angioplasty guidewire. Generating similar results using histological sections is expensive, time consuming and labor intensive.
The advantages of OPT include the quality of the images it produces and its relative speed and simplicity (we have routinely scanned 20 vessels per day). Image quality appears superior, or at least comparable, to other methods for generating 3-dimensional images ex vivo (such as MRI and micro- CT), yet OPT requires shorter scan times (integration time for our studies was typically 1-2sec/image) and is less expensive. Sample preparation extends over several days but requires little labor, vessels can be prepared in batches, and data can be acquired in one session. Consequently, throughput is high and does not require extended use of the scanner. Importantly, the non-destructive nature of OPT means it can be used to identify sites of interest for immunohistochemical examination; thus reducing the amount of cutting and staining required. It is possible that development of high resolution ultrasound will provide an alternative method for volumetric quantification of lesions in arteries this size, but the authors are unaware of any publications that demonstrate this application.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, image quality in OPT is inferior to microscopic techniques (which can, of course, only be performed on smaller samples). Proposed refinements to reconstruction of data may address this limitation by allowing future improvement of image quality19,20. Another methodological concern is that tissue processing alters characteristics of the sample. For example the lipophilic nature of the clearing agent, benzyl alcohol/benzyl benzoate (BABB), is likely to remove lipid from atherosclerotic lesions, whilst prior dehydration may cause shrinkage (although, of course, dehydration and lipid removal steps are also a feature of sample preparation for embedding in paraffin wax). BABB was used in this investigation as, in comparison with hydrophilic clearing agents (e.g. glycerol21) it causes only small changes in morphology.
There are several possibilities for further development and refinement of OPT, particularly with regard to tracking the 3-dimensional arrangement of key cells and signaling factors involved in arterial remodeling. The strong autofluorescence of arterial tissue, which is such an advantage in the generation of anatomical images, is not quenched by existing methods of bleaching22 and may restrict the use of fluorescent probes to assess RNA and protein distribution patterns. The use of colorimetric probes (e.g. &#946;-galactosidase) visualized by transmission imaging may overcome this limitation.
To conclude, OPT has great potential for 3-dimensional imaging of lesions in the intima of murine arteries. It represents a considerable advance on 2-dimensional methods which are generally labor intensive and do not effectively represent total lesion volume. OPT is relatively fast, convenient and non-destructive. New developments in image analysis promise to further increase the power and utility of the technique.

The formation of arterial lesions is central to the high morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease1. Lesion formation is considered to be caused by an unfettered inflammatory response to arterial injury2. Atherosclerotic lesions form slowly in response to chronic injury to the arterial wall whereas restenotic lesions develop rapidly following acute mechanical damage (for example, after stent implantation). The mechanisms that contribute to development of arterial lesions have been clarified considerably by the use of appropriate animal models, often in combination with relevant genetic manipulations1.
Analysis of lesion size and composition has classically depended heavily on ex vivo, 2&#8211;dimensional histology (although this is changing with the development of improved methods for in vivo and ex vivo detection and analysis of lesions in small animals3). Histological analysis of arterial lesions is labor intensive, time consuming and provides limited information of 3-dimensional structure. For example, lesion burden is commonly assessed by measuring the cross-sectional area of a lesion (either at randomly selected sites or at the site of maximum occlusion). This provides an incomplete analysis of overall lesion burden. Whole-mount 3-dimensional imaging technology provides a possible solution to this problem but surprisingly few suitable approaches have been described. This may be due predominantly to the size of mouse arteries which are too large for single-photon confocal microscopy but too small for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)4 and X-ray computed tomography (CT)5. Application of ex vivo MRI and micro CT to the study of atherosclerotic lesions in mice suggests they offer limited resolution, even in relatively large arteries. Added to this, the relatively long acquisition times required limit throughput (and increase scanning costs)4,6.
Development of new optical imaging modalities (such as optical coherence tomography3,7 and photo-acoustic tomography8) offers much potential for improving imaging of lesions in murine arteries. Similar potential is shown by optical projection tomography (OPT) which was developed to allow analysis of mouse embryos. OPT was designed to image specimens ranging from ~0.3-10 mm in diameter9. Transmission imaging records the opacity of a semi-translucent sample to polychromatic visible light and, can be used for identification of anatomical structures. Emission imaging records emission of light following excitation at specific wavelengths from endogenous (e.g., collagen, elastin) and exogenous fluorophores in the sample. This can also provide anatomical information (since different tissue components can differ in the type and density of autofluorescent species present). In addition, distribution of immunoreactivity or gene expression can be determined with the use of appropriate fluorescent probes10. For either imaging mode (transmission or emission), light is focused to a charge-coupled device to allow iterative image capture as the sample rotates (usually 400 images at 0.9&#176; increments). These can be used for calculation of volume by standard tomographic reconstruction methods (such as filtered back-projection (using a cone algorithm) or iterative reconstruction).
This video demonstrates our novel application of OPT for rapid, quantifiable and cost-effective 3-dimensional analysis of atherosclerotic and neointimal lesions, as previously described in Kirkby et al.11. The technique was shown to be suitable for quantifying lesion size in three commonly used models: (i) femoral artery wire-injury; (ii) femoral artery ligation, and (iii) diet-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE-/-) mice.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Operating Microscope</td><td>Zeiss, Germany</td><td></td><td>OPMI Pico i</td></tr><tr><td>Anesthetic Machine</td><td>Vet Tech, UK</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fluovac</td><td>Harvard Apparatus UK</td><td>340387</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fluosorber</td><td>Harvard Apparatus UK</td><td>340415</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bead Sterilizer</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>1800-45</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Heated Mat</td><td>Fine Sceince Tools, UK</td><td>21061-10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Balance</td><td>Mettler Toledo</td><td>MS1602S</td><td>PB1502 or equivalent</td></tr><tr><td>Sutures</td><td>Ethicon, UK</td><td></td><td>5/0 Mersilk</td></tr><tr><td>Guidewire</td><td>Cook Inc, USA</td><td>C-PMS-251</td><td>0.014&amp;rdquo;</td></tr><tr><td>Suture Silk</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>18020-60</td><td>6/0 Mersilk</td></tr><tr><td>Surgical Tools</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>14058-09</td><td>Toughcut Iris scissors</td></tr><tr><td>Cohan-Vannas Spring Scissors</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>15000-01</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dumont #5/45 Forceps</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>11251-35</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Moria Iris Forceps</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>11370-31</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Halsted-Mosquito Hemostat</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>13008-12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bulldog clips</td><td>Fine Science Tools, UK</td><td>18050-35</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bioptonics 3001 Tomograph&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Bioptonics, UK</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Magnetic OPT Mount</td><td>Bioptonics, UK</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Computer</td><td>Dell Inc, UK</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Peristaltic pump</td><td>Gilson</td><td>F117606</td><td>Minipuls 3</td></tr><tr><td>DataViewer software&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Skyscan, Belgium</td><td>v.1.4.4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NRecon software&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Skyscan, Belgium</td><td>v.1.6.8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>CTan software</td><td>Skyscan, Belgium</td><td>v.1.12</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Isoflurane</td><td>Merial Animal Health Ltd, UK</td><td>AP/Drugs/220/96</td><td>100% Inhalation vapor, liquid</td></tr><tr><td>Medical Oxygen</td><td>BOC Medical, UK</td><td>UN1072</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vetergesic</td><td>Alstoe Animal Health Ltd, UK</td><td></td><td>0.3 mg/ml</td></tr><tr><td>1% Lignocaine</td><td>Hamlen Pharmaceuticals, UK</td><td>LD1010</td><td>10 ml ampoule</td></tr><tr><td>EMLA Cream</td><td>Astra Zeneca, UK</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium Pentobarbital</td><td>Ceva Animal Health Ltd, UK</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Western Diet</td><td>Research Diets, USA</td><td>D12079B</td><td>0.2% cholesterol</td></tr><tr><td>Phosphate Buffered Saline</td><td>Sigma UK</td><td>P4417</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Heparin (Mucous)</td><td>Leo Laboratories, UK</td><td>PL0043/003GR</td><td>250,000 Units</td></tr><tr><td>Neutral Buffered Formalin</td><td>Sigma, UK</td><td>HT501128</td><td>10%</td></tr><tr><td>Ethanol</td><td>VWR BDH Prolabo, UK</td><td>20821.33</td><td>Absolute AnalaR&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Agarose</td><td>Invitrogen, UK</td><td>16020050</td><td>Low melting point</td></tr><tr><td>Filter Paper</td><td>GE Healthcare, UK</td><td>113v</td><td>Whatman</td></tr><tr><td>Cyanoacrylate adhesive</td><td>Henkel, UK</td><td>4304</td><td>Loctite</td></tr><tr><td>Benzyl alcohol</td><td>Sigma, UK</td><td>B6630</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Benzyl benzoate</td><td>Sigma, UK</td><td>402834</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Methanol</td><td>VWR BDH Prolabo, UK</td><td>20856.296</td><td>100%</td></tr></tbody></table>

generation and 3-dimensional quantitation of arterial lesions in mice using optical projection tomography

The generation and analysis of vascular lesions in appropriate animal models is a cornerstone of research into cardiovascular disease, generating important information on the pathogenesis of lesion formation and the action of novel therapies. Use of atherosclerosis-prone mice, surgical methods of lesion induction, and dietary modification has dramatically improved understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to disease development and the potential of new treatments.
Classically, analysis of lesions is performed ex vivo using 2-dimensional histological techniques. This article describes application of optical projection tomography (OPT) to 3-dimensional quantitation of arterial lesions. As this technique is non-destructive, it can be used as an adjunct to standard histological and immunohistochemical analyses.
Neointimal lesions were induced by wire-insertion or ligation of the mouse femoral artery whilst atherosclerotic lesions were generated by administration of an atherogenic diet to apoE-deficient mice.
Lesions were examined using OPT imaging of autofluorescent emission followed by complementary histological and immunohistochemical analysis. OPT clearly distinguished lesions from the underlying vascular wall. Lesion size was calculated in 2-dimensional sections using planimetry, enabling calculation of lesion volume and maximal cross-sectional area. Data generated using OPT were consistent with measurements obtained using histology, confirming the accuracy of the technique and its potential as a complement (rather than alternative) to traditional methods of analysis.
This work demonstrates the potential of OPT for imaging atherosclerotic and neointimal lesions. It provides a rapid, much needed ex vivo technique for the routine 3-dimensional quantification of vascular remodelling.

Preliminary scanning of healthy (unlesioned) murine femoral arteries (n = 5) demonstrated that transmission imaging did not provide useful images. This was a consequence of the cleared arteries becoming too transparent (rather than too opaque) for transmission imaging.However, this is beneficial for emission imaging as there is no absorbance/scattering of the emitted signal . In contrast, femoral arteries autofluoresce strongly in the emission channel, with the greatest signal following excitation at 405&#8211;445 nm (consistent with a 410 nm excitation peak for elastin14). 2-dimensional slices reconstructed from these images clearly distinguished the media from the lumen and adventitia and lumen.
In murine femoral arteries harvested 28 days after wire- (n = 6) or ligation- (n = 5) induced injury neointimal thickening was evident in non-tomographic emission projections (Figure 3A). In reconstructed 2-dimensional slices, concentric neointimal lesions could be distinguished from the media by their weaker emission (Figure 3B and&#160;Figure S1).
OPT emission images of whole mount samples of the aortic arch and its major branches from atherosclerotic mice (n = 8) identified lesions with the anticipated anatomical distribution (i.e., in the lesser curvature of the aortic arch, the brachiocephalic artery, and the origins of the left carotid and left subclavian arteries (Figure 4A). Cross-sectional images indicated that these were typically eccentric lesions and were readily distinguished from the media and lumen (Figure 4B, Figures S2 and S3).
Processing arteries for histological analysis following OPT confirmed the non-destructive nature of OPT, with sections successfully stained using histological (United States Trichrome, Picrosirius red) and immunohistochemical (&#945;-SMA, Mac-2) techniques (Figures 3C and 4C).
Measurement of lesion size using OPT has been shown to be consistent with measurements obtained using image analysis of histological sections taken from the same artery11.
Planimetric measurements of lesion area obtained by OPT and histology correlated closely by linear regression for wire- (R2 = 0.92) and ligation-induced (R2 = 0.89) neointimal lesions and atherosclerotic plaques (R2 = 0.85). An important benefit of OPT is its ability to enable 3-dimensional analysis. By developing volumetric quantification of lesions with this technique, we were able to record lesion volumes in wire- (0.1100 &#177; 0.0091 mm3; n = 6) and ligation-injured femoral arteries (0.0200 &#177; 0.0089 mm3; n = 5) and also in atherosclerotic brachiocephalic arteries (0.180 &#177; 0.018 mm3; n = 8). Measurements were highly reproducible (coefficients of variation 5.4%, 11.4% and 4.8%, respectively, n = 4) for all types of lesion. Neointimal lesions in wire-injured vessels were larger (p &#60;0.0001) than those produced by ligation, consistent with the greater degree of damage inflicted by the former.
The data generated could also be expressed as lesion profiles (Figure 5) and rendered for dynamic, qualitative evaluation (see Figures S1-S3). This approach clearly demonstrated the extent of lesion formation in response to different injury procedures and highlighted the uneven distribution of lesion formation in injured vessels.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/50627/50627fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Methods for initiating lesion formation in murine femoral artery.&#160;(A) Retrograde insertion of an angioplasty guidewire into the femoral artery, by means of an arteriotomy in the popliteal artery stimulates lesion formation in response to stretch injury and removal of the endothelium. Blood flow is re-established over the injured section of vessel. (B) Neointimal proliferation in the absence of intraluminal stretch, denudation or interruption to blood flow can be induced by ligating either the femoral or the popliteal artery immediately distal to the femoral artery bifurcation. (C) A more severe non-denuding injury/ proliferation response can be induced by ligating both the femoral and popliteal arteries across the branch point of the common femoral artery. This technique will also block blood flow in the distal portion of the femoral artery.
<img alt="Figure 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/50627/50627fig2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Characteristic deposition of atheroma in the mouse aortic arch.&#160;Atherosclerosis prone (Apolipopotein E deficient mice) fed a high cholesterol western diet for 12 weeks develop a characteristic pattern of lesion deposition in the aortic arch and its major branches. As demonstrated, lesions are visible (arrows), by gross inspection under a dissecting microscope, in the aortic arch, the brachiocephalic artery, and in the ostia of the left carotid artery&#160;and left subclavian artery.&#160;
<img alt="Figure 3" src="/files/ftp_upload/50627/50627fig3.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Lesion formation following ligation of the left femoral artery.&#160;(A) Non-tomographic fluorescence emission images (inverted to increase clarity &#8211; dark regions correspond to stronger emission) allow identification of intimal thickening (red arrowheads). (B) Distinct vascular regions and the lumen can be distinguished in tomographic reconstructions. (C) Histological analysis (United States trichrome) emphasises the clear resemblance with images obtained using OPT. Scale bars in (A-C) are 200 mm. Adapted from Kirkby et al.11 Scale bars in (A-C) are 200 &#181;m.
<img alt="Figure 4" src="/files/ftp_upload/50627/50627fig4.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Imaging of atheroma in the aortic arch of atherosclerosis prone mice.&#160;(A) Atheroma (red arrowheads) is readily apparent in non-tomographic images (inverted so that darker regions indicate stronger emission, thus improving clarity) of the aortic arch, in sites predicted as atheroma-bearing by inspection under light microscopy (see Figure 2). (B) This pattern of distribution is confirmed in tomographic cross-sections. (C) Histological (United States trichrome) staining shows close similarity with tomographic sections, and immunohistochemistry using several different antibodies emphasises the complementary nature of OPT with traditional approaches to lesion analysis. Scale bars in (A&#8211;B) are 1 mm; Scale bar in (C) is 250 &#181;m. RSA, right subclavian artery; RCA, right carotid artery; LCA, left carotid artery; LSA, left subclavian artery; BCA, brachiocephalic artery; AAo, ascending aorta; DAo, descending aorta. Adapted from Kirkby et al.11
<img alt="Figure 5" src="/files/ftp_upload/50627/50627fig5.jpg" /> 
Figure 5: Analysis of lesion and lumen profiles indicates varying extent of neointimal proliferation in response to different methods of arterial injury.&#160;Optical projection tomography allows lesion and lumen cross sectional measurements to be plotted against distance along the femoral artery. This clearly demonstrates that, compared with an uninjured artery (A), partial ligation (B) produces small, relatively discrete lesions, whereas total ligation (C) produces complete occlusion at the site of ligation but the lesion does not extend far along the artery. Intraluminal wire injury (D) produces a lesion that almost completely occludes the distal portion of the sample and extends along the entire length of the scanned section of artery. Adapted from Kirkby et al.11
Figure S1.&#160;Animated reconstruction of cross-sectional images obtained from a mouse femoral artery following ligation injury.This type of animated image is useful for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. As the animation moves from the proximal to the distal sections of the artery the gradual development of an occlusive neointima, discernible from the lumen and the media, is readily apparent. Side branches can be easily identified and there is evident luminal occlusion and outward remodelling of the artery as the lesion increases in size. Complete occlusion of the vessel occurs once the site of ligation is reached. Adapted from Kirkby et al.11
Figure S2.&#160;Animated reconstruction of cross-sectional images of an aortic arch from an atherosclerosis-prone mouse.&#160;The animation commences with cross-sections of the ascending (left &#8211; which appears first) and descending (right) aorta. Small lesions appear in the ascending aorta as the scan moves in the direction of the aortic arch. The images then move through the arch to show the heavily lesioned ostia of the brachiocephalic (left), left carotid (middle) and left subclavian (right) arteries. As the scan moves distally along these branches the lesions gradually reduce and disappear, first in the subclavian artery, then in the carotid and finally in the brachiocephalic artery. Interestingly, the lesion in the brachiocephalic artery moves onto the flow divider as this vessel divides into the right carotid and right subclavian arteries. Adapted from Kirkby et al.11
Figure S3.&#160;Animated, volume-rendered image of an aortic arch from an atherosclerosis-prone mouse.&#160;Optical projection tomography allows generation of 3-dimensional images, in this case demonstrating lesion distribution in the aortic arch of an apolipoprotein E deficient mouse. (A) Atheroma is present in the expected sites (throughout the brachiocephalic artery, in the ostia of the left carotid and subclavian arteries and in the lesser curvature of the aortic arch). (B) Segmentation and rendering of lesion (shown in red) bearing cross-sections emphasises the distribution of plaques when superimposed on the original image. Adapted from Kirkby et al.11

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Generation and 3-Dimensional Quantitation of Arterial Lesions in Mice Using Optical Projection Tomography at JoVE.com

Generation and 3-Dimensional Quantitation of Arterial Lesions in Mice Using Optical Projection Tomography

Ex vivo analysis of arterial lesions from animal models of cardiovascular disease classically relies on histological and immunohistochemical techniques. These provide 2-dimensional measurements in 3-dimensional lesions. This manuscript describes the generation of arterial lesions for quantitative analysis in 3-dimensions using optical projection tomography.

The generation and analysis of vascular lesions in appropriate animal models is a cornerstone of research into cardiovascular disease, generating ...

generation-3-dimensional-quantitation-arterial-lesions-mice-using

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

9.7K Views.  The Queen's Medical Research Institute. Ex vivo analysis of arterial lesions from animal models of cardiovascular disease classically relies on histological and immunohistochemical techniques. These provide 2-dimensional measurements in 3-dimensional lesions. This manuscript describes the generation of arterial lesions for quantitative analysis in 3-dimensions using optical projection tomography.

Video: Generation and 3-Dimensional Quantitation of Arterial Lesions in Mice Using Optical Projection Tomography

Retrograde Perfusion and Filling of Mouse Coronary Vasculature as Preparation for Micro Computed Tomography Imaging

Visualization of the vasculature is becoming increasingly important for understanding many different disease states. While several techniques exist for imaging vasculature, few are able to visualize the vascular network as a whole while extending to a resolution that includes the smaller vessels1,2. Additionally, many vascular casting techniques destroy the surrounding tissue, preventing further analysis of the sample3-5. One method which circumvents these issues is micro-Computed Tomography (&mu;CT). &mu;CT imaging can scan at resolutions &lt;10 microns, is capable of producing 3D reconstructions of the vascular network, and leaves the tissue intact for subsequent analysis (e.g., histology and morphometry)6-11. However, imaging vessels by ex vivo &mu;CT methods requires that the vessels be filled with a radiopaque compound. As such, the accurate representation of vasculature produced by &mu;CT imaging is contingent upon reliable and complete filling of the vessels. In this protocol, we describe a technique for filling mouse coronary vessels in preparation for &mu;CT imaging.
Two predominate techniques exist for filling the coronary vasculature: in vivo via cannulation and retrograde perfusion of the aorta (or a branch off the aortic arch) 12-14, or ex vivo via a Langendorff perfusion system 15-17. Here we describe an in vivo aortic cannulation method which has been specifically designed to ensure filling of all vessels. We use a low viscosity radiopaque compound called Microfil which can perfuse through the smallest vessels to fill all the capillaries, as well as both the arterial and venous sides of the vascular network. Vessels are perfused with buffer using a pressurized perfusion system, and then filled with Microfil. To ensure that Microfil fills the small higher resistance vessels, we ligate the large branches emanating from the aorta, which diverts the Microfil into the coronaries. Once filling is complete, to prevent the elastic nature of cardiac tissue from squeezing Microfil out of some vessels, we ligate accessible major vascular exit points immediately after filling. Therefore, our technique is optimized for complete filling and maximum retention of the filling agent, enabling visualization of the complete coronary vascular network &#x2013; arteries, capillaries, and veins alike.

Visualization of the coronary vessels is critical to advancing our understanding of cardiovascular diseases. Here we describe a method for perfusing murine coronary vasculature with a radiopaque silicone rubber (Microfil), in preparation for micro-Computed Tomography (&mu;CT) imaging.

Visualization of the vasculature is becoming increasingly important for understanding many different disease states. While several techniques exist for ...

Computed Tomography-guided Time-domain Diffuse Fluorescence Tomography in Small Animals for Localization of Cancer Biomarkers

Small animal fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) can be a powerful tool for preclinical drug discovery and development studies1. However, light absorption by tissue chromophores (e.g., hemoglobin, water, lipids, melanin) typically limits optical signal propagation through thicknesses larger than a few millimeters2. Compared to other visible wavelengths, tissue absorption for red and near-infrared (near-IR) light absorption dramatically decreases and non-elastic scattering becomes the dominant light-tissue interaction mechanism. The relatively recent development of fluorescent agents that absorb and emit light in the near-IR range (600-1000 nm), has driven the development of imaging systems and light propagation models that can achieve whole body three-dimensional imaging in small animals3.
Despite great strides in this area, the ill-posed nature of diffuse fluorescence tomography remains a significant problem for the stability, contrast recovery and spatial resolution of image reconstruction techniques and the optimal approach to FMI in small animals has yet to be agreed on. The majority of research groups have invested in charge-coupled device (CCD)-based systems that provide abundant tissue-sampling but suboptimal sensitivity4-9, while our group and a few others10-13 have pursued systems based on very high sensitivity detectors, that at this time allow dense tissue sampling to be achieved only at the cost of low imaging throughput. Here we demonstrate the methodology for applying single-photon detection technology in a fluorescence tomography system to localize a cancerous brain lesion in a mouse model.
The fluorescence tomography (FT) system employed single photon counting using photomultiplier tubes (PMT) and information-rich time-domain light detection in a non-contact conformation11. This provides a simultaneous collection of transmitted excitation and emission light, and includes automatic fluorescence excitation exposure control14, laser referencing, and co-registration with a small animal computed tomography (microCT) system15. A nude mouse model was used for imaging. The animal was inoculated orthotopically with a human glioma cell line (U251) in the left cerebral hemisphere and imaged 2 weeks later. The tumor was made to fluoresce by injecting a fluorescent tracer, IRDye 800CW-EGF (LI-COR Biosciences, Lincoln, NE) targeted to epidermal growth factor receptor, a cell membrane protein known to be overexpressed in the U251 tumor line and many other cancers18. A second, untargeted fluorescent tracer, Alexa Fluor 647 (Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY) was also injected to account for non-receptor mediated effects on the uptake of the targeted tracers to provide a means of quantifying tracer binding and receptor availability/density27. A CT-guided, time-domain algorithm was used to reconstruct the location of both fluorescent tracers (i.e., the location of the tumor) in the mouse brain and their ability to localize the tumor was verified by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
Though demonstrated for fluorescence imaging in a glioma mouse model, the methodology presented in this video can be extended to different tumor models in various small animal models potentially up to the size of a rat17.

Diffuse fluorescence tomography offers a relatively low-cost and potentially high-throughout approach to preclinical in vivo tumor imaging. The methodology of optical data collection, calibration, and image reconstruction is presented for a computed tomography-guided non-contact time-domain system using fluorescent targeting of the tumor biomarker epidermal growth factor receptor in a mouse glioma model.

Small animal fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) can be a powerful tool for preclinical drug discovery and development studies1. However, light ...

Hybrid &#181;CT-FMT imaging and image analysis

Fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) enables longitudinal and quantitative determination of the fluorescence distribution in vivo and can be used to assess the biodistribution of novel probes and to assess disease progression using established molecular probes or reporter genes. The combination with an anatomical modality, e.g., micro computed tomography (&#181;CT), is beneficial for image analysis and for fluorescence reconstruction. We describe a protocol for multimodal &#181;CT-FMT imaging including the image processing steps necessary to extract quantitative measurements. After preparing the mice and performing the imaging, the multimodal data sets are registered. Subsequently, an improved fluorescence reconstruction is performed, which takes into account the shape of the mouse. For quantitative analysis, organ segmentations are generated based on the anatomical data using our interactive segmentation tool. Finally, the biodistribution curves are generated using a batch-processing feature. We show the applicability of the method by assessing the biodistribution of a well-known probe that binds to bones and joints.

Hybrid  &#181;CT-FMT imaging and image analysis

We describe a protocol for hybrid imaging, combining fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) with micro computed tomography (&#181;CT). After fusion and reconstruction, we perform interactive organ segmentation to extract quantitative measurements of the fluorescence distribution.

Fluorescence-mediated tomography (FMT) enables longitudinal and quantitative determination of the fluorescence distribution in vivo and can be used to ...

Bioengineering

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large arteries and a major underlying cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Several different mouse models have been developed to facilitate the study of the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of this disease. In this manuscript we describe specific techniques for the quantification and characterization of atherosclerotic lesions in the murine aortic sinus and ascending aorta. The advantage of this procedure is that it provides an accurate measurement of the cross-sectional area and total volume of the lesion, which can be used to compare atherosclerotic progression across different treatment groups. This is possible through the use of the valve leaflets as an anatomical landmark, together with careful adjustment of the sectioning angle. We also describe basic staining methods that can be used to begin to characterize atherosclerotic progression. These can be further modified to investigate antigens of specific interest to the researcher. The described techniques are generally applicable to a wide variety of existing and newly created dietary and genetically-induced models of atherogenesis.

We describe procedures to quantify and characterize atherosclerotic lesions in mouse models using precision sectioning of the aortic sinus and ascending aorta combined with histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large arteries and a major underlying cause of myocardial infarction and stroke. Several different mouse models have ...

Computed Tomography and Optical Imaging of Osteogenesis-angiogenesis Coupling to Assess Integration of Cranial Bone Autografts and Allografts

A major parameter determining the success of a bone-grafting procedure is vascularization of the area surrounding the graft. We hypothesized that implantation of a bone autograft would induce greater bone regeneration by abundant blood vessel formation. To investigate the effect of the graft on neovascularization at the defect site, we developed a micro&#8211;computed tomography (&#181;CT) approach to characterize newly forming blood vessels, which involves systemic perfusion of the animal with a polymerizing contrast agent. This method enables detailed vascular analysis of an organ in its entirety. Additionally, blood perfusion was assessed using fluorescence imaging (FLI) of a blood-borne fluorescent agent. Bone formation was quantified by FLI using a hydroxyapatite-targeted probe and &#181;CT analysis. Stem cell recruitment was monitored by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of transgenic mice that express luciferase under the control of the osteocalcin promoter. Here we describe and demonstrate preparation of the allograft, calvarial defect surgery, &#181;CT scanning protocols for the neovascularization study and bone formation analysis (including the in vivo perfusion of contrast agent), and the protocol for data analysis.
The 3D high-resolution analysis of vasculature demonstrated significantly greater angiogenesis in animals with implanted autografts, especially with respect to arteriole formation. Accordingly, blood perfusion was significantly higher in the autograft group by the 7th day after surgery. We observed superior bone mineralization and measured greater bone formation in animals that received autografts. Autograft implantation induced resident stem cell recruitment to the graft-host bone suture, where the cells differentiated into bone-forming cells between the 7th and 10th postoperative day. This finding means that enhanced bone formation may be attributed to the augmented vascular feeding that characterizes autograft implantation. The methods depicted may serve as an optimal tool to study bone regeneration in terms of tightly bounded bone formation and neovascularization.

Implantation of autologous and allogeneic bone grafts constitute accepted approaches to treat major craniofacial bone loss. Yet the effect of graft composition on the interplay among neovascularization, cell differentiation and bone formation is unclear. We present a multimodal imaging protocol aimed to elucidate the angiogenesis-osteogenesis interdependence at the graft proximity.

A major parameter determining the success of a bone-grafting procedure is vascularization of the area surrounding the graft. We hypothesized that ...

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice

Tumor and tumor vessel development, as well as tumor response to therapeutics, are highly dynamic biological processes. Histology provides static information and is often not sufficient for a correct interpretation. Intravital evaluation, in which a process is followed in time, provides extra and often unexpected information. With the creation of transgenic animals expressing cell-specific markers and live cell tracers, improvements to imaging equipment, and the development of several imaging chambers, intravital microscopy has become an important tool to better understand biological processes. This paper describes an experimental design for the investigation of tumor vessel development and of therapeutic effects in a spatial and temporal manner. Using this setup, the stage of vessel development, tip cell and lumen formation, blood flow, extravasation, an established vascular bed, and vascular destruction can be visualized and followed. Furthermore, therapeutic effects, intratumoral fate, and the localization of chemotherapeutic compounds can also be followed.

This protocol describes the intravital imaging of transgenic mice expressing cell-specific fluorescent markers. Intravital imaging provides a non-invasive method for high-resolution observations in living animals using implantable windows through which the microscopic visualization of processes is possible. This method is especially useful to study longitudinal processes.

Tumor and tumor vessel development, as well as tumor response to therapeutics, are highly dynamic biological processes. Histology provides static ...

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the world. The underlying cause in most cases is atherosclerosis, which is in part a chronic inflammatory disease. Experimental atherosclerosis studies have elucidated the role of cholesterol and inflammation in the disease process. This has led to successful clinical trials with pharmaceutical agents that reduce clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. Careful and well-controlled experiments in mouse models of the disease could further elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease, which is not fully understood. Standardized lesion analysis is important to reduce experimental variability and increase reproducibility. Determining lesion size in aortic root, aortic arch, and brachiocephalic artery are common endpoints in experimental atherosclerosis. This protocol provides a technical description for evaluation of atherosclerosis at all these sites in a single mouse. The protocol is particularly useful when material is limited, as is frequently the case when genetically modified animals are being characterized.

Murine models of atherosclerosis are useful tools to investigate pathogenic pathways on a molecular level, but require standardized quantification of lesion development. This protocol describes an optimized method to determine lesion size in the major arterial vessels including the aortic root, aortic arch, and brachiocephalic artery.

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the world. The underlying cause in most cases is atherosclerosis, which is in part a chronic ...

Immunology and Infection

Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice

Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of death worldwide and, despite countless preclinical studies describing promising therapeutic targets, novel interventions have remained elusive. This is likely due, in part, to a reliance on preclinical prevention models investigating the effects of genetic manipulations or pharmacological treatments on atherosclerosis development rather than the established disease. Also, results of these studies are often confounding because of the use of superficial lesion analyses and a lack of characterization of lesion cell populations. To help overcome these translational hurdles, we propose an increased reliance on intervention models that employ investigation of changes in cellular composition at a single cell level by immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy. To this end, we describe a protocol for testing a putative therapeutic agent in a murine intervention model including a systematic approach for animal dissection, embedding, sectioning, staining, and quantification of brachiocephalic artery lesions. In addition, due to the phenotypic diversity of cells within late-stage atherosclerotic lesions, we describe the importance of using cell-specific, inducible lineage tracing mouse systems and how this can be leveraged for unbiased characterization of atherosclerotic lesion cell populations. Together, these strategies may assist vascular biologists to more accurately model therapeutic interventions and analyze atherosclerotic disease and will hopefully translate into a higher rate of success in clinical trials.

We propose a standardized protocol to characterize the cellular composition of late-stage murine atherosclerotic lesions including systematic methods of animal dissection, tissue embedding, sectioning, staining, and analysis of brachiocephalic arteries from atheroprone smooth muscle cell lineage tracing mice.

Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of death worldwide and, despite countless preclinical studies describing promising therapeutic targets, novel ...

Sample Preparation for Computed Tomography-based Three-dimensional Visualization of Murine Hind-limb Vessels

Blood vessels are complex networks with tree-like structures, and vascular networks are essential for maintaining both circulation and maintaining organ function. Clarifying the mechanism of blood vessel formation is therefore extremely useful for elucidating developmental processes and pathological mechanisms. Murine hind-limb vessels are often used as a model for physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Evaluation is mainly performed via a two-dimensional method using tissue sections. However, methods for evaluating three-dimensional (3D) vascular morphology are particularly limited. This paper introduces a method for visualizing murine hind-limbs using computed tomography (CT). Radiation-opaque resin is injected through the descending aorta, and whole vessels are filled with dye. By adjusting the time of dye injection, arterial-specific filling is also possible, and samples can be obtained with any micro-X-ray CT device. This contrast method provides a basic technique for the 3D evaluation of murine blood vessels in the lower extremities. Furthermore, this method can be used to visualize all blood vessels below the diaphragm and evaluate blood vessels in the abdominal organs.

Here, we describe a visualization and quantification method for murine hind-limb vessels using micro-X-ray computed tomography.

Blood vessels are complex networks with tree-like structures, and vascular networks are essential for maintaining both circulation and maintaining organ ...

Mesoscopic Optical Imaging of Whole Mouse Heart

Both genetic and non-genetic cardiac diseases can cause severe remodeling processes in the heart. Structural remodeling, such as collagen deposition (fibrosis) and cellular misalignment, can affect electrical conduction, introduce electromechanical dysfunctions and, eventually, lead to arrhythmia. Current predictive models of these functional alterations are based on non-integrated and low-resolution structural information. Placing this framework on a different order of magnitude is challenging due to the inefficacy of standard imaging methods in performing high-resolution imaging in massive tissue. In this work, we describe a methodological framework that allows imaging of whole mouse hearts with micrometric resolution. The achievement of this goal has required a technological effort where advances in tissue transformation and imaging methods have been combined. First, we describe an optimized CLARITY protocol capable of transforming an intact heart into a nanoporous, hydrogel-hybridized, lipid-free form that allows high transparency and deep staining. Then, a fluorescence light-sheet microscope able to rapidly acquire images of a mesoscopic field of view (mm-scale) with the micron-scale resolution is described. Following the mesoSPIM project, the conceived microscope allows the reconstruction of the whole mouse heart with micrometric resolution in a single tomographic scan. We believe that this methodological framework will allow clarifying the involvement of the cytoarchitecture disarray in the electrical dysfunctions and pave the way for a comprehensive model that considers both the functional and structural data, thus enabling a unified investigation of the structural causes that lead to electrical and mechanical alterations after the tissue remodeling.

We report a method for mesoscopic reconstruction of the whole mouse heart by combining new advancements in tissue transformation and staining with the development of an axially scanned light-sheet microscope.

Both genetic and non-genetic cardiac diseases can cause severe remodeling processes in the heart. Structural remodeling, such as collagen deposition ...