| First Author | Foss CA | Year | 2015 |
| Journal | Biochem Biophys Res Commun | Volume | 461 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 70-5 |
| PubMed ID | 25858322 | Mgi Jnum | J:228393 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5706893 | Doi | 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.03.171 |
| Citation | Foss CA, et al. (2015) Molecular imaging of inflammation in the ApoE -/- mouse model of atherosclerosis with IodoDPA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 461(1):70-5 |
| abstractText | BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a common and serious vascular disease predisposing individuals to myocardial infarction and stroke. Intravascular plaques, the pathologic lesions of atherosclerosis, are largely composed of cholesterol-laden luminal macrophage-rich infiltrates within a fibrous cap. The ability to detect those macrophages non-invasively within the aorta, carotid artery and other vessels would allow physicians to determine plaque burden, aiding management of patients with atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We previously developed a low-molecular-weight imaging agent, [(125)I]iodo-DPA-713 (iodoDPA), which selectively targets macrophages. Here we use it to detect both intravascular macrophages and macrophage infiltrates within the myocardium in the ApoE -/- mouse model of atherosclerosis using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). SPECT data were confirmed by echocardiography, near-infrared fluorescence imaging and histology. SPECT images showed focal uptake of radiotracer at the aortic root in all ApoE -/- mice, while the age-matched controls were nearly devoid of radiotracer uptake. Focal radiotracer uptake along the descending aorta and within the myocardium was also observed in affected animals. CONCLUSIONS: IodoDPA is a promising new imaging agent for atherosclerosis, with specificity for the macrophage component of the lesions involved. |
