In vivo Visualization of M2 Macrophages in the Myocardium After Myocardial Infarction (MI) Using Ga-68-NOTA-Anti-MMR Nb: Targeting Mannose Receptor (MR, CD206) on M2 Macrophages

Introduction and ObjectivesWound healing after myocardial infarction (MI) is a dynamic and complex multiple phase process, and a coordinated cellular response is required for proper scar formation. The current paradigm suggests that pro-inflammatory monocytes infiltrate the MI zone during the initial pro-inflammatory phase and differentiate into inflammatory macrophages, and then switch their phenotypes to anti-inflammatory during the reparative phase. Visualization of the reparative phase post-MI is of great interest because it may reveal delayed resolution of inflammation, which in turn predicts adverse cardiac remodeling. Imaging of anti-inflammatory macrophages may also be used to assess therapy approaches aiming to modulate the inflammatory response in order to limit MI size. Reparative macrophages can be distinguished from inflammatory macrophages by the surface marker mannose receptor (MR, CD206). In this study we evaluated the feasibility of Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb for imaging of MR on alternatively activated macrophages in murine MI models. MethodsWildtype and MR-knockout mice and Wistar rats were subjected to MI via permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. Non-operated or sham-operated animals were used as controls. MR expression kinetics on cardiac macrophages was measured in mice using flow cytometry. PET/CT scans were performed 1 h after intravenous injection of Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb. Mice and rats were euthanized and hearts harvested for ex vivo PET/MRI, autoradiography, and staining. As a non-targeting negative control, Ga-68-NOTA-BCII10 was used. ResultsIn vivo-PET/CT scans showed focal radioactivity signals in the infarcted myocardium for Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb which were confirmed by ex vivo-PET/MRI scans. In autoradiography images, augmented uptake of the tracer was observed in infarcts, as verified by the histochemistry analysis. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated the presence and co-localization of CD206- and CD68-positive cells, in accordance to infarct zone. No in vivo or ex vivo signal was observed in the animals injected with control Nb or in the sham-operated animals. Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb uptake in the infarcts of MR-knockout mice was negligibly low, confirming the specificity of Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb to MR. ConclusionThis exploratory study highlights the potential of Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb to image MR-positive macrophages that are known to play a pivotal role in wound healing that follows acute MI.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the feasibility of using Ga-68-NOTA-anti-MMR Nb for imaging MR on alternatively activated macrophages in murine MI models. The results showed that this imaging method can specifically identify MR-positive macrophages, providing insights into the wound healing process post-MI.