Molecular imaging of vulnerable plaques in rabbits using contrast-enhanced ultrasound targeting to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2.

Purpose: Increased neovascularization has been identified as a feature of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and can be traced by microbubble ultrasound contrast agents (UCA). We investigated the relationship between retention of a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) targeted UCA and VEGFR-2 expression in a vulnerable plaque model in rabbits.

Methods: Microbubbles targeting to VEGFR-2 were prepared by conjugation of biotinylated microbubbles with biotinylated VEGFR-2 antibody via streptavidin.