Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory diseases include a wide variety of highly prevalent conditions with high mortality rates in severe cases ranging from cardiovascular disease, to rheumatoid arthritis, to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to graft vs. host disease, to a number of gastrointestinal disorders. Many diseases that are not considered inflammatory per se are associated with varying levels of inflammation. Imaging of the immune system and inflammatory response is of interest as it can give insight into disease progression and severity. Clinical imaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are traditionally limited to the visualization of anatomical information; then, the presence or absence of an inflammatory state must be inferred from the structural abnormalities. Improvement in available contrast agents has made it possible to obtain functional information as well as anatomical. In vivo imaging of inflammation ultimately facilitates an improved accuracy of diagnostics and monitoring of patients to allow for better patient care. Highly specific molecular imaging of inflammatory biomarkers allows for earlier diagnosis to prevent irreversible damage. Advancements in imaging instruments, targeted tracers, and contrast agents represent a rapidly growing area of preclinical research with the hopes of quick translation to the clinic.

Redox-Responsive MRI Probes Based on First-Row Transition-Metal Complexes

“…In addition to the advantage of being essential elements that are also earth abundant, transition-metal complexes have certain advantages in the development of responsive probes. One of the most obvious is the existence of multiple stable metal-based oxidation and spin states, something which is lacking for Gd­(III) complexes. , The ability to switch between oxidation and corresponding spin states in response to redox-related changes in the biological environment is a powerful tool for molecular imaging. ,, For example, diseases such as cancer, stroke, and atherosclerosis are characterized by chronic inflammation which involves a perturbed biological redox environment. − …”

68Ga-WRWWWW Is a Potential Positron Emission Tomography Probe for Imaging Inflammatory Diseases by Targeting Formyl Peptide Receptor 2

“…Although several preclinical molecular imaging tracers targeting FPR or clinical 18 F-FDG agents have been developed for imaging inflammation using various imaging modalities, including SPECT, PET, MRI, and optical imaging, ,,,, 68 Ga-WRW 4 has several possible advantages. First, 68 Ga can be produced via a relatively available and economic 68 Ge/ 68 Ga generator system compared with the need for an on-site cyclotron.…”

ROS/RNS and Base Dual Activatable Merocyanine‐Based NIR‐II Fluorescent Molecular Probe for in vivo Biosensing

“…With its NIR-II emission features, PN910 was a potential probe for in vivo monitoring of inflammation in an alkaline microenvironment such as colitis. As a proof of concept study, due to the pH value of urine is usually in a range of 5.0 to 8.0, [1] we firstly chose cystitis [22] as a simulative mice model to investigate the performance of PN910 for in vivo ROS/RNS and base dual activatable biosensing by changing the pH of urine. ICR female mice were used to build the cystitis model (Figure 4 a).…”