Figure 5.

Molecular imaging monitoring the temporal and spatial changes in valvular calcium after T-cell activation in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) specimens. A–E: Data from unstimulated calcified areas of stenotic valves. F–J: Results from stimulated areas. signal intensity (SI) measurements were followed by quantification (ImageJ) within a region of interest (ROI; labeled with yellow lines, of which the position was aligned on all subsequent images). Each histogram corresponds to the distribution of SI and demonstrates the image characteristics for unstimulated (A) and stimulated (F) calcified parts. Quantification analyses show unchanged SI over time in B and significantly elevated SI in G. Near-infrared signal intensity (green) in unstimulated (C) and stimulated areas (H). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for interferon (IFN)-γ and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), analyzed in unstimulated (D and E) and stimulated (I and J) supernatant fluids. n = 4 valve donors (A–J). ^∗P < 0.05, ^∗∗∗P < 0.001. Scale bars: 200 μm (C and H). Arb., arbitrary; D1, day 1 after activation; D2, day 2 after activation; D3, day 3 after activation.