Use of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose as a potential agent in the prediction of graft rejection by positron emission tomography.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the potential of predicting allograft rejection by measuring the ability of graft-infiltrating cells to take up 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG). This molecule is a positron emitting glucose analogue that is taken up by metabolically active cells and can be detected using positron emission tomography.


METHODS
Uptake of [18F]FDG during an alloresponse was measured both in vitro in mixed lymphocyte cultures and in vivo using allogeneic and syngeneic skin grafts.


RESULTS
Uptake of [18F]FDG was seen in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Using a mouse skin graft model, we found that mean [18F]FDG uptake was 1.5-2 times higher in allografts than in syngeneic grafts; the increase in uptake correlated with the level of T-cell infiltrate seen histologically.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessing the metabolic activity of graft-infiltrating cells with [18F]FDG may be useful in the prediction of graft rejection episodes.
Heelan
B T
BT
Department of Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Osman
S
S
Blyth
A
A
Schnorr
L
L
Jones
T
T
George
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005544:Forecasting; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18