Multimodality Imaging Reveals a Gradual Increase in Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity at Aneurysmal Lesions in Live Fibulin-4 Mice

Abstract

We aimed to develop molecular imaging procedures for faster, earlier, and easier recognition of aortic aneurysms. We show that in vivo coregistration of MMP activity by noninvasive tomographic imaging methods allows the detection of increased MMP activity, even before the aneurysm has actually formed.