Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a combined catheter-based optical coherence tomography-two-photon luminescence (OCT-TPL) imaging system. Exemplary embodiments further include methods to detect, and further characterize the distribution of cellular components (e.g., macrophage, collagen/elastin fiber, lipid droplet) in thin-cap fibroatheromas with high spatial resolution in vivo.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a combined catheter-based optical coherence tomography-two-photon luminescence (OCT-TPL) imaging system. Exemplary embodiments further include methods to detect, and further characterize the distribution of cellular components (e.g., macrophage, collagen/elastin fiber, lipid droplet) in thin-cap fibroatheromas with high spatial resolution in vivo.

Abstract: A method for modulating gap junctions is provided. In a first step, the transcription of connexin is enhanced and the gap junction is relocalized at the cell membrane; in a second step, gap junction function is restored by properly gating the channel and/or inducing apoptosis. The method preferably comprises a providing a cell or an animal with a first compound for increasing the activity of protein kinase A (PKA) and in the second step providing the cell or animal with a second compound for specifically inhibiting or activating one or more protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and/or for specifically inhibiting p38 MAP kinase.