Plaque Biology Study

The Plaque Biology Study aims to better understand the biological processes that are taking place in vascular plaque that eventually may result in plaque rupture. Plaque is heterogenous. In one person over less than half an inch of carotid vascular length, some sections may show stable, hardened plaque while right next to it a soft, inflamed and more dangerous section maybe found.

This study is performed in collaboration between BG Medicine and the University of Maastricht in The Netherlands. Specimens of carotid atherosclerotic plaque were obtained from 25 patients who were found to have different plaque types in a single surgical specimen. The Maastricht researchers obtained the atherosclerotic plaque from the carotids (artery to the brain) at the time carotid surgery was performed. The differences in composition and biological processes between the more inflamed type of plaque and more stable plaque is being studied by BG Medicine.

A feasibility study has been completed which have lead to the development of methods to use several mass spectrometry methods to measure a range of compounds in plaque tissue, including proteins, lipids and other small molecules. Mass spectrometry is an advanced technology to determine the chemical composition of material. Over 700 different proteins and over 200 different lipids and other small molecules were detected in this feasibility study.

The findings of this study will aid in the interpretation of studies that focused on blood biomarkers, and may also provide new insights that can be used for the development of new medicines or imaging agents.

The Plaque Biology Study is expected to be completed in 2008.