Journal of Neuroinflammation (Nov 2018)

In vivo assessment of neuroinflammation in progressive multiple sclerosis: a proof of concept study with [18F]DPA714 PET

  • Marloes H. J. Hagens,
  • Sandeep V. Golla,
  • Martijn T. Wijburg,
  • Maqsood Yaqub,
  • Dennis Heijtel,
  • Martijn D. Steenwijk,
  • Patrick Schober,
  • John J. P. Brevé,
  • Robert C. Schuit,
  • Tristan A. Reekie,
  • Michael Kassiou,
  • Anne-Marie van Dam,
  • Albert D. Windhorst,
  • Joep Killestein,
  • Frederik Barkhof,
  • Bart N. M. van Berckel,
  • Adriaan A. Lammertsma

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-018-1352-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background Over the past decades, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has become an increasingly useful research modality in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) research, as PET can visualise molecular processes, such as neuroinflammation, in vivo. The second generation PET radioligand [18F]DPA714 binds with high affinity to the 18-kDa translocator-protein (TSPO), which is mainly expressed on activated microglia. The aim of this proof of concept study was to evaluate this in vivo marker of neuroinflammation in primary and secondary progressive MS. Methods All subjects were genotyped for the rs6971 polymorphism within the TSPO gene, and low-affinity binders were excluded from participation in this study. Eight patients with progressive MS and seven age and genetic binding status matched healthy controls underwent a 60 min dynamic PET scan using [18F]DPA714, including both continuous on-line and manual arterial blood sampling to obtain metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input functions. Results The optimal model for quantification of [18F]DPA714 kinetics was a reversible two-tissue compartment model with additional blood volume parameter. For genetic high-affinity binders, a clear increase in binding potential was observed in patients with MS compared with age-matched controls. For both high and medium affinity binders, a further increase in binding potential was observed in T2 white matter lesions compared with non-lesional white matter. Volume of distribution, however, did not differentiate patients from healthy controls, as the large non-displaceable compartment of [18F]DPA714 masks its relatively small specific signal. Conclusion The TSPO radioligand [18F]DPA714 can reliably identify increased focal and diffuse neuroinflammation in progressive MS when using plasma input-derived binding potential, but observed differences were predominantly visible in high-affinity binders.

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