Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CC motif chemokine ligand 2 and its corresponding cognate receptor 2 (CCL2/CCR2) signaling has been implicated in regulating monocyte recruitment and macrophage polarization during inflammatory responses that plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis initiation and progression. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of a novel 18 F radiolabeled small molecule radiotracer for CCR2-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in atherosclerosis. The binding affinity of this radiotracer to CCR2 was evaluated via in vitro binding assay using CCR2+ membrane and cells. Ex vivo biodistribution was carried out in wild type mice to assess radiotracer pharmacokinetics. CCR2 targeted PET imaging of plaques was performed in two murine atherosclerotic models. The sensitive detection of atherosclerotic lesions highlighted the potential of this radiotracer for CCR2 targeted PET and warranted further optimization.
Keyphrases
- pet imaging
- positron emission tomography
- dendritic cells
- regulatory t cells
- computed tomography
- sensitive detection
- small molecule
- cardiovascular disease
- cancer therapy
- wild type
- induced apoptosis
- type diabetes
- high resolution
- immune response
- pet ct
- high throughput
- signaling pathway
- drug delivery
- quantum dots
- fluorescence imaging
- cell cycle arrest
- peripheral blood
- photodynamic therapy
- single cell
- pi k akt
- transcription factor