Molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaque with (64)Cu-labeled natriuretic peptide and PET.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. PET has the potential to provide information on the biology and metabolism of atherosclerotic plaques. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have potent antiproliferative and antimigratory effects on vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs) and, in atherosclerosis, participate in vascular remodeling, in which the expression of NP clearance receptors (NPR-Cs) is upregulated both in endothelium and in VSMCs.


METHODS
We investigated the potential of a C-type atrial natriuretic factor (C-ANF) to image developing plaque-like lesions in vivo. C-ANF was functionalized with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and labeled with (64)Cu for noninvasive PET in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit with atherosclerotic-like lesions induced by air desiccation of a femoral artery, followed by balloon overstretch of the developing neointima. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess plaque development and NPR-C localization.


RESULTS
(64)Cu-DOTA-C-ANF uptake in the atherosclerotic region was visible on small-animal PET images, with the highest target-to-background ratio (3.59 +/- 0.94) observed after the air desiccation-induced injury. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining showed NPR-C near the luminal surface of the plaque and in VSMCs. PET and immunohistochemistry competitive blocking studies confirmed receptor-mediated tracer uptake in the plaque. With blocking, PET tracer localization of atherosclerotic to control arteries was decreased from 1.42 +/- 0.02 to 1.06 +/- 0.06 (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that (64)Cu-DOTA-C-ANF is a promising candidate tracer for in vivo PET of NPR-Cs on atherosclerotic plaques.
Liu
Yongjian
Y
Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Abendschein
Dana
D
Woodard
Geoffrey E
GE
Rossin
Raffaella
R
McCommis
Kyle
K
Zheng
Jie
J
Welch
Michael J
MJ
Woodard
Pamela K
PK
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011817:Rabbits; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D017461:Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
C546821:64Cu-DOTA-C-type-atrial natriuretic factor; D003301:Copper Radioisotopes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C477144:gadofluorine; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D002784:Cholesterol; D017461:Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor