Detection of intestinal inflammation by MicroPET imaging using a (64)Cu-labeled anti-beta(7) integrin antibody

The primary function of integrin beta(7) is the recruitment and retention of lymphocytes to the inflamed gut. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of imaging colitis radioimmunodetection by targeting the beta(7) integrin with a radiolabeled antibody.

FIB504.64, a monoclonal antibody that binds to beta(7) integrin, was conjugated with a bifunctional chelator and labeled with (64)Cu. The antibody (50 microg, 7 MBq) was injected into C57BL/6 mice with experimentally induced colitis (n = 6). MicroPET images were collected at 1, 24, and 48 hours postinjection and the biodistribution was measured at 48 hours by tissue assay. Data were also obtained for a (64)Cu-labeled nonspecific isotype-matched antibody in mice with colitis and (64)Cu-labeled FIB504.64 in healthy mice (n = 5-6).

The microPET images showed higher uptake of (64)Cu-labeled FIB504.64 in the gut of mice with colitis than for either of the controls. This observation was confirmed by the 48-hour ex vivo biodistribution data: the percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g +/- SD) (large intestine) colitis mice with (64)Cu-labeled FIB504.64, 6.49 +/- 2.25; control mice with (64)Cu-labeled FIB504.64, 3.64 +/- 1.12; colitis mice, (64)Cu-labeled nonspecific antibody 3.97 +/- 0.48%ID/g (P < 0.05 between groups).

The selective uptake of (64)Cu-labeled FIB504.64 antibody in the gut of animals with colitis suggests that integrin beta(7) may be a promising target for radioimmunodetection of this disease, which would aid diagnosis, assessment, and therapy guidance of this disease.