title: Molecular imaging of inflammation in the ApoE -/- mouse model of atherosclerosis with IodoDPA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atherosclerosis is a common and serious vascular disease predisposing individuals to myocardial infarction and stroke. Intravascular plaques, the pathologic lesions of atherosclerosis, are largely composed of cholesterol-laden luminal macrophage-rich infiltrates within a fibrous cap. The ability to detect those macrophages non-invasively within the aorta, carotid artery and other vessels would allow physicians to determine plaque burden, aiding management of patients with atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We previously developed a low-molecular-weight imaging agent, [(125)I]iodo-DPA-713 (iodoDPA), which selectively targets macrophages. Here we use it to detect both intravascular macrophages and macrophage infiltrates within the myocardium in the ApoE -/- mouse model of atherosclerosis using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). SPECT data were confirmed by echocardiography, near-infrared fluorescence imaging and histology. SPECT images showed focal uptake of radiotracer at the aortic root in all ApoE -/- mice, while the age-matched controls were nearly devoid of radiotracer uptake. Focal radiotracer uptake along the descending aorta and within the myocardium was also observed in affected animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IodoDPA is a promising new imaging agent for atherosclerosis, with specificity for the macrophage component of the lesions involved.
authors: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: cfoss1@jhmi.edu.
authors: Catherine A
authors: CA
authors: Foss
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Djahida
authors: D
authors: Bedja
authors: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: Ronnie C
authors: RC
authors: Mease
authors: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: Haofan
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Kass
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: Subroto
authors: S
authors: Chatterjee
authors: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors: Martin G
authors: MG
authors: Pomper
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D011743:Pyrimidines; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C544082:N,N-diethyl-2-(2-(3-iodo-4-methoxyphenyl)-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo(1,5-a)pyrimidin-3-yl)acetamide
keywords: Arteriosclerosis; Coronary artery disease; Macrophages; TSPO imaging; oxLDL