Carotid artery plaque uptake of 11C-PK11195 inversely correlates with circulating monocytes and classical CD14++CD16- monocytes expressing HLA-DR.

ABSTRACT: Background:We explored the relation between blood concentrations of monocyte/lymphocyte subsets and carotid artery plaque macrophage content, measured by positron emission tomography (PET) with 11C-PK11195. Methods and results:In 9 patients with carotid plaques we performed 11C-PK11195-PET/computed tomography angiography imaging and measurement of absolute concentrations and frequencies of circulating monocytes and T-cell subsets. Plaque standardized uptake value (SUV) for 11C-PK11195 was negatively correlated with concentrations of total monocytes (r?=?-0.58, p?=?0.05) and CD14++CD16-HLA-DR+ classical subset (r?=?-0.82, p?=?0.005). These correlations hold true also in relation to plaque target to background ratio. No correlation was observed between plaque SUV and CD3+T lymphocytes, CD4+T lymphocytes nor with activated CD3+CD4+T cells expressing HLA-DR. Conclusions:We first demonstrated a reduction in the absolute concentration of monocytes and particularly in classical monocytes expressing HLA-DR in the presence of an increased uptake of 11C-PK11195 in carotid plaques. The present work, despite being a pilot study comprising only a small number of subjects provides new insights in the search for specific cellular biomarkers with potential diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with a known carotid plaque.

SUBMITTER: Ammirati E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6161414 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature