Imaging Immunometabolism in Atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Metabolic Imaging
• Cardiovascular Disease

Background:

• Growing recognition of links between intracellular metabolism and immune cell activation (immunometabolism) in atherogenesis.
• Limitations of current in vitro studies in replicating complex plaque microenvironments.
• Need for in vivo approaches to understand clinical implications of immunometabolic alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• Address the gap in understanding immunometabolism in atherosclerosis using in vivo methods.
• Determine clinical implications of immunometabolic alterations for diagnosis and patient management.
• Review advances in metabolic imaging for atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

• Focus on macrophages as key immune cells in atherosclerosis.
• Utilizing ¹⁸F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.
• Reviewing other promising PET radiotracers for metabolic imaging.

Main Results:

• ¹⁸F-FDG PET imaging shows promise for atherosclerosis risk stratification.
• ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in plaques is being further elucidated biologically.
• Metabolic imaging aids in monitoring therapeutic intervention response.

Conclusions:

• In vivo metabolic imaging is crucial for understanding atherosclerosis immunometabolism.
• ¹⁸F-FDG PET offers valuable insights into plaque activity and patient outcomes.
• Further research into novel radiotracers can enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.