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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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Open Access 25-07-2022 | Dengue Virus | Original Article

Preclinical evaluation of [¹⁸F]FDG-PET as a biomarker of lymphoid tissue disease and inflammation in Zika virus infection

Authors: Carla Bianca Luena Victorio, Joanne Ong, Jing Yang Tham, Marie Jennifer Reolo, Wisna Novera, Rasha Msallam, Satoru Watanabe, Shirin Kalimuddin, Jenny G. Low, Subhash G. Vasudevan, Ann-Marie Chacko

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 13/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Zika (ZIKV) is a viral inflammatory disease affecting adults, children, and developing fetuses. It is endemic to tropical and sub-tropical countries, resulting in half the global population at risk of infection. Despite this, there are no approved therapies or vaccines against ZIKV disease. Non-invasive imaging biomarkers are potentially valuable tools for studying viral pathogenesis, prognosticating host response to disease, and evaluating in vivo efficacy of experimental therapeutic interventions. In this study, we evaluated [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) as an imaging biomarker of ZIKV disease in a mouse model and correlated metabolic tracer tissue uptake with real-time biochemical, virological, and inflammatory features of tissue infection.

Methods

[¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT imaging was performed in an acute, lethal ZIKV mouse infection model, at increasing stages of disease severity. [¹⁸F]FDG-PET findings were corroborated with ex vivo wholemount-tissue autoradiography and tracer biodistribution studies. Tracer uptake was also correlated with in situ tissue disease status, including viral burden and inflammatory response. Immune profiling of the spleen by flow cytometry was performed to identify the immune cell subsets driving tissue pathology and enhancing tracer uptake in ZIKV disease.

Results

Foci of increased [¹⁸F]FDG uptake were consistently detected in lymphoid tissues—particularly the spleen—of ZIKV-infected animals. Splenic uptake increased with disease severity, and corroborated findings in tissue pathology. Increased splenic uptake also correlated with increased viral replication and elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines within these tissues. ZIKV-infected spleens were characterized by increased infiltration of myeloid cells, as well as increased proliferation of both myeloid and lymphoid cells. The increased cell proliferation correlated with increased tracer uptake in the spleen. Our findings support the use of [¹⁸F]FDG as an imaging biomarker to detect and track ZIKV disease in real time and highlight the dependency of affected tissue on the nature of the viral infection.

Conclusion

[¹⁸F]FDG uptake in the spleen is a useful surrogate for interrogating in situ tissue viral burden and inflammation status in this ZIKV murine model.

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Title: Preclinical evaluation of [18F]FDG-PET as a biomarker of lymphoid tissue disease and inflammation in Zika virus infection
Authors: Carla Bianca Luena Victorio
Joanne Ong
Jing Yang Tham
Marie Jennifer Reolo
Wisna Novera
Rasha Msallam
Satoru Watanabe
Shirin Kalimuddin
Jenny G. Low
Subhash G. Vasudevan
Ann-Marie Chacko
Publication date: 25-07-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Dengue Virus
Zika Virus
Biomarkers
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 13/2022
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-022-05892-9

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Preclinical evaluation of [¹⁸F]FDG-PET as a biomarker of lymphoid tissue disease and inflammation in Zika virus infection

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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