Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) using translocator protein (TSPO) ligands has been used to detect neuroinflammatory processes in neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate neuroinflammation in a mouse MS model (EAE) using TSPO-PET with 18 F-VC701, in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: MOG 35-55 /CFA and pertussis toxin protocol was used to induce EAE in C57BL/6 mice. Disease progression was monitored daily, whereas MRI evaluation was performed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-induction. Microglia activation was assessed in vivo by 18 F-VC701 PET at the time of maximum disease score and validated by radioligand ex vivo distribution and immunohistochemistry at 2 and 4 weeks post-immunization. Results: In vivo and ex vivo analyses show that 18 F-VC701 significantly accumulates within the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the cortex, striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord of EAE compared to control mice, at 2 weeks post-immunization. MRI confirmed the presence of focal brain lesions at 2 weeks post-immunization in both T1-weighted and T2 images. Of note, MRI abnormalities attenuated in later post-immunization phase. Neuropathological analysis confirmed the presence of microglial activation in EAE mice, consistent with the in vivo increase of 18 F-VC701 uptake. Conclusion: Increase of 18 F-VC701 uptake in EAE mice is strongly associated with the presence of microglia activation in the acute phase of the disease. The combined use of TSPO-PET and MRI provided complementary evidence on the ongoing disease process, thus representing an attractive new tool to investigate neuronal damage and neuroinflammation at preclinical levels.

Belloli, S., Zanotti, L., Murtaj, V., Mazzon, C., Di Grigoli, G., Monterisi, C., et al. (2018). 18 F-VC701-PET and MRI in the in vivo neuroinflammation assessment of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION, 15(1) [10.1186/s12974-017-1044-x].

18 F-VC701-PET and MRI in the in vivo neuroinflammation assessment of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Belloli, S;MURTAJ, VALENTINA;Monterisi, C;MASIELLO, VALERIA;Moresco, RM
2018

Abstract

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) using translocator protein (TSPO) ligands has been used to detect neuroinflammatory processes in neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate neuroinflammation in a mouse MS model (EAE) using TSPO-PET with 18 F-VC701, in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: MOG 35-55 /CFA and pertussis toxin protocol was used to induce EAE in C57BL/6 mice. Disease progression was monitored daily, whereas MRI evaluation was performed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-induction. Microglia activation was assessed in vivo by 18 F-VC701 PET at the time of maximum disease score and validated by radioligand ex vivo distribution and immunohistochemistry at 2 and 4 weeks post-immunization. Results: In vivo and ex vivo analyses show that 18 F-VC701 significantly accumulates within the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the cortex, striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, and cervical spinal cord of EAE compared to control mice, at 2 weeks post-immunization. MRI confirmed the presence of focal brain lesions at 2 weeks post-immunization in both T1-weighted and T2 images. Of note, MRI abnormalities attenuated in later post-immunization phase. Neuropathological analysis confirmed the presence of microglial activation in EAE mice, consistent with the in vivo increase of 18 F-VC701 uptake. Conclusion: Increase of 18 F-VC701 uptake in EAE mice is strongly associated with the presence of microglia activation in the acute phase of the disease. The combined use of TSPO-PET and MRI provided complementary evidence on the ongoing disease process, thus representing an attractive new tool to investigate neuronal damage and neuroinflammation at preclinical levels.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
EAE monophasic model; MRI; Multiple sclerosis; Neuroinflammation; TSPO-PET;
EAE monophasic model; MRI; Multiple sclerosis; Neuroinflammation; TSPO-PET; Neuroscience (all); Immunology; Neurology; Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
English
2018
15
1
33
partially_open
Belloli, S., Zanotti, L., Murtaj, V., Mazzon, C., Di Grigoli, G., Monterisi, C., et al. (2018). 18 F-VC701-PET and MRI in the in vivo neuroinflammation assessment of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION, 15(1) [10.1186/s12974-017-1044-x].
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