Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 8, 2026
Preparing a 68Ga-labeled Arginine Glycine Aspartate RGD-peptide for Angiogenesis
Published on: January 7, 2019
SPECT/CT Imaging of High-Risk Atherosclerotic Plaques using Integrin-Binding RGD Dimer Peptides
Jung Sun Yoo1, Jonghwan Lee2, Jae Ho Jung3
11] Smart Humanity Convergence Center, Program in Biomedical Radiation Sciences, Department of Transdisciplinary Studies, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 443-270, Republic of Korea [2] Center for Nanomolecular Imaging and Innovative Drug Development, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon 443-270, Republic of Korea.
Insights
A new radiotracer, (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2, effectively images high-risk atherosclerotic plaques by targeting integrin αvβ3. This imaging tool assesses plaque neovascularization, offering a new way to diagnose vulnerable plaques beyond anatomical measurements.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Molecular Imaging
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are a primary cause of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.
- Current diagnostic methods for atherosclerosis primarily rely on anatomical assessments, such as luminal stenosis and wall thickness.
- Neovessels within plaques, expressing integrin αvβ3, are linked to increased plaque rupture risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of a novel integrin αvβ3-targeting radiotracer, (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2, for SPECT/CT imaging of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques.
- To assess the specificity and sensitivity of this radiotracer in preclinical atherosclerosis models.
- To compare the imaging performance of the RGD dimer-based tracer with existing probes.
Main Methods:
- Development and evaluation of the (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 radiotracer.
- In vivo SPECT/CT imaging in murine atherosclerosis models.
- Comparison with a negative-control peptide, (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RADfK)]2.
- Ex vivo autoradiography and histopathological analysis of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Comparison with a monomeric RGD peptide probe, (123)I-c(RGDyV).
Main Results:
- The (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 tracer showed significantly higher uptake in atherosclerotic aortas compared to normal aortas.
- Specific binding of the tracer to plaque lesions was confirmed through in vivo and ex vivo imaging.
- SPECT signals correlated with histopathological features of high-risk plaques, including large necrotic cores, thin fibrous caps, and neovascularization.
- (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 demonstrated superior imaging performance compared to the monomeric RGD peptide probe.
Conclusions:
- The (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 radiotracer is a sensitive tool for noninvasively imaging high-risk atherosclerotic plaques.
- SPECT/CT imaging with this tracer can assess plaque neovascularization, providing biological insights beyond anatomical measurements.
- This approach holds promise for improved diagnosis and risk stratification of atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques with unique biological signatures are responsible for most major cardiovascular events including acute myocardial infarction and stroke. However, current clinical diagnostic approaches for atherosclerosis focus on anatomical measurements such as the degree of luminal stenosis and wall thickness. An abundance of neovessels with elevated expression of integrin αvβ3 is closely associated with an increased risk of plaque rupture. Herein we evaluated the potential of an αvβ3 integrin-targeting radiotracer, (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2, for SPECT/CT imaging of high-risk plaque in murine atherosclerosis models. In vivo uptake of (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 was significantly higher in atherosclerotic aortas than in relatively normal aortas. Comparison with the negative-control peptide, (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RADfK)]2, proved specific binding of (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 for plaque lesions in in vivo SPECT/CT and ex vivo autoradiographic imaging. Histopathological characterization revealed that a prominent SPECT signal of (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 corresponded to the presence of high-risk plaques with a large necrotic core, a thin fibrous cap, and vibrant neoangiogenic events. Notably, the RGD dimer based (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 showed better imaging performance in comparison with the common monomeric RGD peptide probe (123)I-c(RGDyV) and fluorescence tissue assay corroborated this. Our preclinical data demonstrated that (99m)Tc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 SPECT/CT is a sensitive tool to noninvasively gauge atherosclerosis beyond vascular anatomy by assessing culprit plaque neovascularization.
More Related Videos
![Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F3777.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
10:02Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT
Published on: May 2, 2012
09:43In vivo Near Infrared Fluorescence NIRF Intravascular Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Plaque, a Multimodal Approach to Imaging of Atherosclerosis
Published on: August 4, 2011
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT