Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Macrophages in Atherosclerosis with ¹⁸F-GE-180, a Radiotracer for Translocator Protein (TSPO)

Figure 1

Visualisation of the vascular morphology and the presence of macrophages and TSPO in LDLR^–/–ApoB^100/100 and C57BL/6N mice. (a) Movat’s pentachrome stained section of LDLR^–/–ApoB^100/100 aortic root shows large and cell-rich plaque with necrotic core (N) and fibrous cap (F). W = vessel wall (vascular smooth muscle cells) and M = myocardium. (b) Macrophage immunostaining (Mac-3) of the same plaque. Positive staining (brown colour) is present in the fibrous cap area. (c) TSPO immunostaining. Positive staining (brown colour) is present in the same areas as Mac-3 positive staining and additionally in vascular smooth muscle cells (arrow), endothelial cells (arrowhead), and in the myocardium. (d) Movat’s pentachrome stained aortic root section of C57BL/6N mouse shows lesion-free vessel wall lined by endothelium. (e) Mac-3 staining is negative. (f) Positive TSPO staining is seen in both smooth muscle cells (arrows) and endothelial cells (arrowhead).

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