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Feasibility of [18F]-RGD for ex vivo imaging of atherosclerosis in detection of αvβ3 integrin expression

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Journal of Nuclear Cardiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Inflammation and angiogenesis play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Therefore, molecular imaging of these processes could be used for determination of rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques. αvβ3 integrin is involved in the process of angiogenesis. Targeted imaging of αvβ3 integrin has been shown to be possible in previous studies on tumor models, using radiolabeled arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD). Our aim was to investigate feasibility of ex vivo detection of αvβ3 integrin in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens.

Methods and Results

Nineteen CEA specimens were incubated in 5 MBq [18F]-RGD-K5 for 1 hour followed by 1 hour emission microPET scan. The results were quantified in 4 mm wide segments as percent incubation dose per gram (%Inc/g). Segmental-to-total ratio was calculated and presence of αvβ3 integrin and endothelial cells in each segment was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for CD31 and αvβ3 integrin, respectively. [18F]-RGD-K5 uptake was heterogeneously distributed across CEA specimens and was localized within the vessel wall. Significant correlations were observed between segmental-to-total ratio with αvβ3 integrin staining score (r = 0.58, P = .038) and CD31 staining score (ρ = 0.67, P < .002).

Conclusion

This study showed the feasibility of integrin imaging by determination of αvβ3 integrin expression in human atherosclerotic plaques.

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Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Author information

Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands

      Reza Golestani MD, PhD, Leila Mirfeizi PhD, Hans J. de Haas BS, Andor W. J. M. Glaudemans MD, Michel Koole PhD, Gert Luurtsema PhD, Rudi A. J. O. Dierckx MD, PhD, Hendrikus H. Boersma PharmD, PhD, Philip H. Elsinga PhD & Riemer H. J. A. Slart MD, PhD

    2. Cardiovascular Medicine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

      Reza Golestani MD, PhD

    3. Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

      Clark J. Zeebregts MD, PhD

    4. Department of Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

      Johanna Westra MD, PhD

    5. Department of Cardiology, Thorax Center, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

      René A. Tio MD, PhD

    6. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

      Rudi A. J. O. Dierckx MD, PhD

    7. Department of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

      Hendrikus H. Boersma PharmD, PhD

    8. Faculty of Science and Technology, Biomedical Photonic Imaging, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

      Riemer H. J. A. Slart MD, PhD

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    1. Reza Golestani MD, PhD
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    2. Leila Mirfeizi PhD
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    Corresponding author

    Correspondence to Reza Golestani MD, PhD.

    Additional information

    Reza Golestani and Leila Mirfeizi contributed equally to this study.

    See related editorials, doi:10.1007/s12350-015-0088-5 and doi:10.1007/s12350-015-0086-7.

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    Golestani, R., Mirfeizi, L., Zeebregts, C.J. et al. Feasibility of [18F]-RGD for ex vivo imaging of atherosclerosis in detection of αvβ3 integrin expression. J. Nucl. Cardiol. 22, 1179–1186 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-014-0061-8

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