CCR2 Imaging in Human ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Among the diverse populations of myeloid cells that reside within the healthy and diseased heart, C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) is specifically expressed on inflammatory populations of monocytes and macrophages that contribute to the development and progression of heart failure^1-4. Here, we evaluated a peptide-based imaging probe (⁶⁴Cu-DOTA-ECL1i) that specifically recognizes CCR2⁺ monocytes and macrophages for human cardiac imaging. Compared to healthy controls, ⁶⁴Cu-DOTA-ECL1i heart uptake was increased in subjects following acute myocardial infarction, predominately localized within the infarct area, and was associated with impaired myocardial wall motion. These findings establish the feasibility of molecular imaging of CCR2 expression to visualize inflammatory monocytes and macrophages in the injured human heart.