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PET Imaging of Neuroinflammation Using [11C]DPA-713 in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: June 14, 2018
The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (Translocator protein 18kDa) in microglia: from pathology to imaging
Sriram Venneti1, Brian J Lopresti, Clayton A Wiley
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Abstract:
Microglia constitute the primary resident immune surveillance cell in the brain and are thought to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and HIV-associated dementia. Measuring microglial activation in vivo in patients suffering from these diseases may help chart progression of neuroinflammation as well as assess efficacy of therapies designed to modulate neuroinflammation. Recent studies suggest that activated microglia in the CNS may be detected in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) utilizing pharmacological ligands of the mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR (recently renamed as Translocator protein (18kDa)). Beginning with the molecular characterization of PBR and regulation in activated microglia, we examine the rationale behind using PBR ligands to image microglia with PET. Current evidence suggests these findings might be applied to the development of clinical assessments of microglial activation in neurological disorders.
Insights
Positron emission tomography (PET) with Translocator protein (18kDa) ligands can visualize activated microglia in the brain. This imaging approach may help track neuroinflammation and assess treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Microglia are key immune cells in the brain, implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
- Assessing microglial activation in vivo is crucial for understanding disease progression and treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of positron emission tomography (PET) for imaging activated microglia in vivo.
- To evaluate the use of Translocator protein (18kDa) (TSPO) ligands for visualizing microglial activation.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular characterization of TSPO and its regulation in activated microglia.
- Examination of the rationale for using TSPO ligands in PET imaging.
- Analysis of current evidence supporting TSPO-targeted PET for microglial imaging.
Main Results:
- TSPO, formerly known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), is a target for imaging activated microglia.
- PET imaging using TSPO ligands shows promise for detecting neuroinflammation.
Conclusions:
- TSPO-targeted PET imaging offers a potential method for assessing microglial activation in neurological disorders.
- This technique could aid in monitoring disease progression and evaluating anti-neuroinflammatory therapies.
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