title: Microvessel density but not neoangiogenesis is associated with 18F-FDG uptake in human atherosclerotic carotid plaques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vulnerable atherosclerotic lesion exhibits the proliferation of neovessels and inflammation. The imaging modality 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D: -glucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET) is considered for the identification of vulnerable plaques.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the gene expression of neoangiogenesis and vulnerability-associated genes with (18)FDG uptake in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human atherosclerotic carotid artery plaques from symptomatic patients were used for gene expression analysis by quantitative PCR of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and integrin α(V) and integrin β(3) subunits, genes essential during neoangiogenesis. We also evaluated the gene expression of CD34, a measure of microvessel density (MVD), as well as CD68, MMP-9, and cathepsin K, genes of major importance in plaque vulnerability. Gene expression analysis was compared with (18)FDG-PET.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF and integrin α(V)β(3) gene expression did not correlate with (18)FDG uptake, whereas CD34 gene expression exhibited an inverse correlation with (18)FDG uptake. Additionally, we established that markers of vulnerability were correlated with (18)FDG uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neoangiogenesis is not associated with (18)FDG uptake, whereas MVD and markers of vulnerability correlate with (18)FDG uptake. The absence of correlation between markers of neoangiogenesis and (18)FDG uptake suggests a temporal separation between the process of neoangiogenesis and inflammatory activity.
authors: Cluster for Molecular Imaging, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark. sfolkep@sund.ku.dk
authors: Sune Folke
authors: SF
authors: Pedersen
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Graebe
authors: Anne Mette Fisker
authors: AM
authors: Hag
authors: Liselotte
authors: L
authors: Hoejgaard
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Sillesen
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Kjaer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D016023:Integrins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18