Imaging-Based Biomarkers: Characterization of Post-Kawasaki Vasculitis in Infants and Hypertension Phenotype in Rat Model

Background. Investigating the mechanical properties of the arteries is essential in cardiovascular diseases. Recent imaging modalities allow mapping mechanical properties within the arterial wall. Aims. We report the potential of imaging-based biomarker (ImBioMark) to investigate the effect of aging on the rat. We also present preliminary data with ImBioMark characterizing vascular sequelae of Kawasaki disease (KD) in young humans. Methods. We investigated in vivo the effect of aging on male Brown Norway (BN) rats' (n = 5) carotid stiffness. In a second experiment, the impact of KD on the ascending aorta (AA) was examined in KD children (n = 2) aged 13 ± 1.41 years old compared to KD-free children (n = 5) aged 13.13 ± 0.18 years old. Results. The stiffness of BN's carotid artery was three times stiffer in the old rats, with a turning point at 40 weeks old (P = 0.001). KD had a very significant impact on the AA stiffness with strain estimates of 2.39 ± 0.51% versus 4.24 ± 0.65% in controls (P < 0.001). Conclusion. ImBioMark phenotypes hypertension in rat models noninvasively in vivo without resorting to euthanasia. Quantifying aortic wall remodeling is also feasible in humans. Future investigations target human cardiovascular disease.