Non-invasive diagnosis of acute heart- or lung-transplant rejection using radiolabeled annexin V

Apoptosis is a ubiquitous set of cellular processes by which superfluous or unwanted cells are eliminated in the body without harming adjacent healthy tissues. When apoptosis is inappropriate (too little or too much), a variety of human diseases can occur, including acute heart or lung transplant rejection.

Our group has developed a new radiopharmaceutical, radiolabeled annexin V, which can image apoptosis.

Here we briefly review the biomolecular basis of apoptosis and its role in acute rejection. We also describe the possible use of radiolabeled annexin V to screen children noninvasively for acute rejection following organ transplantation.