In search of biological and radiological markers of aneurysm instability
Looking for markers circulating in the bloodWithin the framework of a new study recently published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine (1), Natzi Sakalihasan, Roland Hustinx and Alain Colige focused on the cells and molecules associated with areas of high metabolic activity in abdominal aortic aneurysms. The objective of this work was to identify circulating biomarkers that would convey the presence of an unstable aneurysm. “In the present study”, explains Alain Colige, “we had the opportunity to compare human samples from patients with a negative or positive result from the PET-CT. In these latter subjects, we analysed components of the aortic wall in both areas of high and low metabolic activity". Work on these different types of samples would allow researchers to pinpoint the cells and molecules that were likely to cause the rupture of the aneurysm. Systematic screening in Liège soonThe analyses of Alain Colige’s team have also shown that the expression of certain genes linked to the remodelling and maintenance of the aortic wall is different in aneurysmal areas with significant metabolic activity. Furthermore, changes in the structure and composition of the blood vessel’s wall have been revealed. “For instance, in these areas, there is loss of smooth muscle cells, responsible for the blood vessel's mechanical activity. Moreover, part of the collagen present in this area isn’t typical of vascular walls but rather of cartilage!", the researchers stress. While the exact meaning of these changes is still unknown today, the authors of this study strongly suspect that they contribute to the weakening of the aortic wall before rupture. (1) Audrey Courtois, Betty V. Nusgens, Roland Hustinx, Gauthier Namur, Pierre Gomez, Joan Somja, Jean-Olivier Defraigne, Philippe Delvenne, Jean-Baptiste Michel, Alain C. Colige and Natzi Sakalihasan.18F-FDG Uptake Assessed by PET/CT in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Is Associated with Cellular and Molecular Alterations Prefacing Wall Deterioration and Rupture. J Nucl Med. 2013 Oct;54(10):1740-1747. Epub 2013 Sep 5. |
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