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Specific targeting of infectious foci with radioiodinated human recombinant interleukin-1 in an experimental model
C J van der Laken1, O C Boerman, W J Oyen
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Radioiodinated interleukin-1 (IL-1) effectively images Staphylococcus aureus abscesses in mice. This targeted imaging agent shows high retention in infected tissues, indicating potential for detecting infectious foci.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear medicine
- Infectious disease imaging
- Molecular imaging
Background:
- Detecting infectious foci is crucial for effective treatment.
- Current imaging methods have limitations in specificity and sensitivity.
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a key role in inflammation and immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate radioiodinated human recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) for in vivo imaging of infectious foci.
- To assess the biodistribution and target-to-background ratios of radioiodinated IL-1 in an animal model of Staphylococcus aureus abscess.
- To determine the potential of IL-1 receptor targeting for infectious disease imaging.
Main Methods:
- Induction of Staphylococcus aureus abscess in mouse calf muscle.
- Intravenous injection of iodine-125 labelled IL-1 and iodine-131 labelled myoglobin (control).
- Biodistribution studies at various time points post-injection (p.i.).
- Gamma camera imaging of mice injected with iodine-123 labelled IL-1.
Main Results:
- Radioiodinated IL-1 demonstrated rapid clearance from the body.
- Abscesses showed the highest activity by 12 hours p.i.
- Significantly higher abscess-to-muscle ratios for 125I-IL-1 compared to 131I-myoglobin were observed.
- Abscesses were clearly visualized using gamma camera imaging with 123I-IL-1.
Conclusions:
- Radioiodinated IL-1 exhibits specific retention in abscesses, likely due to IL-1 receptor interaction.
- High target-to-background ratios suggest the IL-1 receptor is a valuable target for imaging infectious foci.
- This study supports the potential of IL-1 based imaging agents for diagnosing infections.
Abstract:
In the present study, radioiodinated human recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) was investigated for its potential to image infectious foci in vivo in an animal model of infection. Twenty-four hours after induction of a Staphylococcus aureus abscess in the left calf muscle, mice were i.v. injected with both iodine-125 labelled IL-1 and iodine-131 labelled myoglobin, a size-matched control agent. The animals were killed for tissue biodistribution studies at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h p.i. Gamma camera images were obtained at 6, 24 and 48 h after injecting mice with 123I-IL-1. Radioiodinated IL-1 rapidly cleared from the body; after 12 h the abscess was the organ with the highest activity. The absolute abscess uptake of 125I-IL-1 remained high compared to 131I-myoglobin, resulting in significantly higher abscess-to-muscle ratios of 125I-IL-1 compared to 131I-myoglobin. The ratios of 125I-IL-1 reached the ultimate value of 44.4+/-10.8 at 48 h p.i., whereas the ratios of 131I-myoglobin did not exceed 5.9+/-0.7. Gamma camera imaging revealed clearly visible abscesses. In conclusion, our results demonstrate specific retention of radioiodinated IL-1 in the abscess, presumably by interaction of IL-1 with its receptor on the inflammatory cells. The high target-to-background ratios that were obtained over the course of time indicate that the IL-1 receptor may be a valuable target for the imaging of infectious foci.
