Atherosclerotic plaque uptake of a novel integrin tracer 18F-Flotegatide in a mouse model of atherosclerosis | springermedicine.com

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Journal of Nuclear Cardiology

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01-06-2014 | Original Article

Atherosclerotic plaque uptake of a novel integrin tracer ¹⁸F-Flotegatide in a mouse model of atherosclerosis

Authors: Helen Su, MS, Natalia Gorodny, BS, Luis Felipe Gomez, PhD, Umesh B. Gangadharmath, PhD, Fanrong Mu, PhD, Gang Chen, MS, Joseph C. Walsh, PhD, Katrin Szardenings, PhD, MBA, Daniel S. Berman, MD, Hartmuth C. Kolb, PhD, Balaji K. Tamarappoo, MD, PhD

Published in: Journal of Nuclear Cardiology | Issue 3/2014

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Abstract

Introduction

Rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaque that leads to stroke and myocardial infarction may be induced by macrophage infiltration and neovessel formation. A tracer that selectively binds to integrin αvβ3 a protein expressed by macrophages and neovascular endothelium may identify rupture prone plaque.

Methods

¹⁸F-labeled “R-G-D” containing tripeptide (Flotegatide), a click chemistry derived radiotracer that binds to integrin αvβ3 was injected in ApoE knockout mice fed a high fat diet. Uptake of Flotegatide by atherosclerotic plaque was visualized by micro-PET, autoradiography, and correlated to histologic markers of inflammation and angiogenesis.

Results

We found that Flotegatide preferentially binds to aortic plaque in an ApoE knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis. The tracer’s uptake is strongly associated with presence of histologic markers for macrophage infiltration and integrin expression. There is a weaker but detectable association between Flotegatide uptake and presence of an immunohistochemical marker for neovascularization.

Discussion

We hypothesize that Flotegatide may be a useful tracer for visualization of inflamed plaque in clinical subjects with atherosclerosis and may have potential for detecting vulnerable plaque.

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Title: Atherosclerotic plaque uptake of a novel integrin tracer 18F-Flotegatide in a mouse model of atherosclerosis
Authors: Helen Su, MS
Natalia Gorodny, BS
Luis Felipe Gomez, PhD
Umesh B. Gangadharmath, PhD
Fanrong Mu, PhD
Gang Chen, MS
Joseph C. Walsh, PhD
Katrin Szardenings, PhD, MBA
Daniel S. Berman, MD
Hartmuth C. Kolb, PhD
Balaji K. Tamarappoo, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Nuclear Cardiology / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1071-3581
Electronic ISSN: 1532-6551
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-014-9879-3

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