In vivo and in vitro evidence that 99mTc-HYNIC-interleukin-2 is able to detect T lymphocytes in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques of the carotid artery

Abstract

These in vivo and ex vivo studies confirm the specificity of (99m)Tc-HYNIC-IL-2 for imaging activated T lymphocytes in carotid plaques. (99m)Tc-HYNIC-IL-2 is a true marker for the inflamed plaque and therefore of plaque instability.

Visualisierung molekularer Zielstrukturen bei Entzündungen und Infektionen

“…Interleukin-2: Nachdem bereits 123 Iod ( 123 I)-markiertes IL-2 zur Visualisierung von aktivierten T-Zellen für die Szintigrafie vorwiegend lymphozytärer und autoimmuner Entzündungen wie der Zöliakie, der Insulinitis und von autoimmunen Schilddrüsenerkrankungen eingesetzt wurde, ist auch hier für die Technetium-Markierung HYNIC-gekoppeltes IL2 und für die PET N-(4 -18F-fluorobenzoyl)interleukin-2 in den letzten Jahren entwickelt worden [31,32,44,89].…”

Imaging of atherosclerosis

“…Although SPECT has a lower spatial resolution (10-16 mm) compared with PET, image quality can potentially be improved by use of new scanners equipped with cadmium-zinc-telluride solidstate detectors. 103 Among the list of experimental targets for SPECT inflammation imaging are IL-2 receptors on activated T lymphocytes, 104 folate receptor-β expressed by M2 macrophages, 105 endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) expression, 106 and exposed phosphatidylserine on cell surface of apoptotic macrophages.…”

Molecular Imaging of Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases: A Terra Incognita

“…This approach, however, requires a laborious preparation under sterile conditions, may be hazardous to technicians and patients since it involves potentially contaminated blood, and is not convenient for patients since they have to visit the nuclear medicine department at least 4 times (collection of blood, reinjection, and at least dual-time-point imaging). Alternatives such as 99m Tc-labeled interleukin-2, specific for inflammation by visualization of the interleukin-2 receptor, which is overexpressed by activated T lymphocytes during inflammation, have been successfully used in small patient groups with several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (4). Here, again, we need larger prospective patient studies and a cutoff value for positivity regarding uptake.…”