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Bridoux J, Neyt S, Debie P, Descamps B, Devoogdt N, Cleeren F, Bormans G, Broisat A, Caveliers V, Xavier C, Vanhove C, Hernot S. Improved Detection of Molecular Markers of Atherosclerotic Plaques Using Sub-Millimeter PET Imaging. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25081838. [PMID: 32316285 PMCID: PMC7221983 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since atherosclerotic plaques are small and sparse, their non-invasive detection via PET imaging requires both highly specific radiotracers as well as imaging systems with high sensitivity and resolution. This study aimed to assess the targeting and biodistribution of a novel fluorine-18 anti-VCAM-1 Nanobody (Nb), and to investigate whether sub-millimetre resolution PET imaging could improve detectability of plaques in mice. The anti-VCAM-1 Nb functionalised with the novel restrained complexing agent (RESCA) chelator was labelled with [18F]AlF with a high radiochemical yield (>75%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). Subsequently, [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 was injected in ApoE-/- mice, or co-injected with excess of unlabelled Nb (control group). Mice were imaged sequentially using a cross-over design on two different commercially available PET/CT systems and finally sacrificed for ex vivo analysis. Both the PET/CT images and ex vivo data showed specific uptake of [18F]AlF(RESCA)-cAbVCAM1-5 in atherosclerotic lesions. Non-specific bone uptake was also noticeable, most probably due to in vivo defluorination. Image analysis yielded higher target-to-heart and target-to-brain ratios with the β-CUBE (MOLECUBES) PET scanner, demonstrating that preclinical detection of atherosclerotic lesions could be improved using the latest PET technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bridoux
- Laboratory of In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI, BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (J.B.); (P.D.); (N.D.); (V.C.); (C.X.)
| | - Sara Neyt
- Preclinical imaging, MOLECUBES NV, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Pieterjan Debie
- Laboratory of In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI, BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (J.B.); (P.D.); (N.D.); (V.C.); (C.X.)
| | | | - Nick Devoogdt
- Laboratory of In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI, BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (J.B.); (P.D.); (N.D.); (V.C.); (C.X.)
| | - Frederik Cleeren
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Guy Bormans
- Radiopharmaceutical Research, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (F.C.); (G.B.)
| | - Alexis Broisat
- Radiopharmaceutiques Biocliniques, INSERM 1039, Université de Grenoble, 38400 Grenoble, France;
| | - Vicky Caveliers
- Laboratory of In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI, BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (J.B.); (P.D.); (N.D.); (V.C.); (C.X.)
- Nuclear Medicine department, UZ Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catarina Xavier
- Laboratory of In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI, BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (J.B.); (P.D.); (N.D.); (V.C.); (C.X.)
| | - Christian Vanhove
- IBiTech-MEDISIP, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.D.); (C.V.)
| | - Sophie Hernot
- Laboratory of In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI, BEFY-MIMA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (J.B.); (P.D.); (N.D.); (V.C.); (C.X.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2-477-49-91
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