Assessing Large-Vessel Endothelial Permeability Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging—Brief Report

Objective—Loss of endothelial barrier function in arterial blood vessels is characteristic of vascular pathologies, including atherosclerosis. Here, we present a near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging methodology for quantifying endothelial permeability and macromolecular uptake in large arteries in the mouse and evaluate its applicability for studying mechanisms of vascular inflammation. Approach and Results—To validate the NIRF methodology, macrovascular inflammation was induced in C57bl/6 mice by local tumor necrosis factor-α stimulation of the carotid artery or in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice by Western diet for 4 weeks. Evans blue dye, serving as plasma protein marker and fluorescent in the near-infrared spectrum, was given intravenously at different doses. Carotids and aorta were excised, and Evans blue dye fluorescence was assessed through whole vessel scan in an infrared imaging system. NIRF correlated to extraction–absorbance methodology for Evans blue dye quantification and was superior at...