Molecular scintigraphic imaging using 99mTc-transferrin is useful for early detection of synovial inflammation of collagen-induced arthritis mouse.
Transferrin receptor (TfR) is highly expressed on rapidly dividing inflammatory cells, but not in nonproliferating cells. We investigated whether scintigraphic imaging using 99mTechnetium-radiolabeled transferrin (99mTc-Tf) is useful for early detection of synovial inflammation of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse. 99mTc-Tf conjugate was synthesized to target the TfR in inflamed synovium. 99mTc-Tf scintigraphic images were obtained in nonarthritic normal mouse and advanced phase of CIA mouse. 99mTc-Tf and 99mTc-methylenediphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) bone scintigraphic images were obtained in same early phase of CIA mouse. Western blot analysis, hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), and immunohistochemical staining were performed to determine development of arthritis and expression of TfR. Image analyses revealed that the uptake of 99mTc-Tf in inflamed joints of advanced phase of CIA mouse was markedly higher than those by normal nonarthritic mouse. 99mTc-Tf scintigraphy also showed higher uptake in knee joint prior to significant joint swelling in early phase of CIA mouse but 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy does not. These scintigraphic findings are well correlated with the results of Western blot, H&E and immunohistochemical analysis. In conclusion, TfR can be used as a specific target for molecular imaging in CIA mouse, and 99mTc-Tf scintigraphy detects synovial inflammation prior to significant clinical findings in CIA mouse.
Lee
Sang-Il
SI
Department of Internal Medicine and Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Eun-Mi
EM
Kim
Se Lim
SL
Lee
Chang-Moon
CM
Jang
Kyu Yun
KY
Yun
Hee Jin
HJ
Yoo
Wan-Hee
WH
Sohn
Myung-Hee
MH
Jeong
Hwan-Jeong
HJ
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006614:Hindlimb; D007596:Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism; D013585:Synovitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013667:Technetium
D015415:Biomarkers; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D013667:Technetium