Inflammation induced by activated macrophages within vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques (VAPs) constitutes a significant risk factor for plaque rupture. Translocator protein (TSPO) is highly expressed in activated macrophages. This study investigated the effectiveness of TSPO radiotracers, 18F-FDPA, in detecting VAPs and quantifying plaque inflammation in rabbits. 18 New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups: sham group A, VAP model group B, and evolocumab treatment group C. 18F-FDPA PET/CTA imaging was performed at 12, 16, and 24 weeks in all groups. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed on the abdominal aorta at 24 weeks. The VAP was defined through OCT images, and ex vivo aorta PET imaging was also performed at 24 weeks. The SUVmax and SUVmean of 18F-FDPA were measured on the target organ, and the target-to-background ratio (TBRmax) was calculated as SUVmax/SUVblood pool. The arterial sections of the isolated abdominal aorta were analyzed by HE staining, CD68 and TSPO immunofluorescence staining, and TSPO Western blot. The results showed that at 24 weeks, the plaque TBRmax of 18F-FDPA in group B was significantly higher than in groups A and C. Immunofluorescence staining of CD68 and TSPO, as well as Western blot, confirmed the increased expression of macrophages and TSPO in the corresponding regions of group B. HE staining revealed an increased presence of the lipid core, multiple foam cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the area with high 18F-FDPA uptake. This indicates a correlation between 18F-FDPA uptake, inflammation severity, and VAPs. The TSPO-targeted tracer 18F-FDPA shows specific uptake in macrophage-rich regions of atherosclerotic plaques, making it a valuable tool for assessing inflammation in VAPs.
Keywords: optical coherence tomography; positron emission tomography; translocator protein 18 kDa; vulnerable atherosclerosis plaques.