Abstract |
Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and its complications. Because the folate receptor β (FR-β) is selectively expressed on macrophages, an FR targeted imaging agent could be useful for assessment of atherosclerotic inflammation. We investigated aluminum fluoride-18-labeled 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid conjugated folate (18F-FOL) for the detection of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. We studied atherosclerotic plaques in mice, rabbits, and human tissue samples using 18F-FOL positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Compound 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro- D-glucose (18F-FDG) was used as a comparison. Firstly, we found that the in vitro binding of 18F-FOL co-localized with FR-β-positive macrophages in carotid endarterectomy samples from patients with recent ischemic symptoms. We then demonstrated specific accumulation of intravenously administered 18F-FOL in atherosclerotic plaques in mice and rabbits using PET/CT. We noticed that the 18F-FOL uptake correlated with the density of macrophages in plaques and provided a target-to-background ratio as high as 18F-FDG, but with considerably lower myocardial uptake. Thus, 18F-FOL PET/CT targeting of FR-β-positive macrophages presents a promising new tool for the in vivo imaging of atherosclerotic inflammation.
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Authors | Johanna M U Silvola, Xiang-Guo Li, Jenni Virta, Päivi Marjamäki, Heidi Liljenbäck, Jarkko P Hytönen, Miikka Tarkia, Virva Saunavaara, Saija Hurme, Senthil Palani, Harri Hakovirta, Seppo Ylä-Herttuala, Pekka Saukko, Qingshou Chen, Philip S Low, Juhani Knuuti, Antti Saraste, Anne Roivainen |
Journal | Scientific reports
(Sci Rep)
Vol. 8
Issue 1
Pg. 9720
(06 26 2018)
ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 29946129
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Aluminum Compounds
- Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
- Fluorides
- aluminum fluoride
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Topics |
- Aluminum Compounds
(chemistry)
- Animals
- Female
- Fluorides
(chemistry)
- Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
(chemistry)
- Humans
- Inflammation
(diagnostic imaging)
- Male
- Mice
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
(diagnostic imaging)
- Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
(methods)
- Rabbits
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