Ultrasound derived imaging and quantification of cell adhesion molecules in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by Sensitive Particle Acoustic Quantification (SPAQ).

Abstract Molecular imaging requires, not only the identification of an appropriate marker, but also its quantitative analysis. We used the Sensitive Particle Acoustic Quantification (SPAQ) technology – a novel ultrasound technique – for detection and quantification of cell adhesion molecules in isolated tissue and in live animals. By conjugating gas-filled microparticles (MPs) with antibodies to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), we were able to depict and quantify ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in isolated brain and spinal cord from rats with autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an established inflammatory disease model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). Depiction and quantification of specific MPs were also feasible in living animals with AT-EAE with similar results. After treatment with methylprednisolone, the measured number of targeted anti-ICAM-1 and VCAM-1-MPs was significantly lower ( P