Elucidating pathology of atherosclerosis by a novel CCR2-specific PET tracer and its clinical application

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17115
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Baba Osamu 京都大学, 医学研究科, 特定講師 (30758446)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 動脈硬化 / PET / CCR2 / マクロファージ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Atherosclerosis, also known as vascular aging, is thought to account for approximately 20% of the causes of death in Japan. PET imaging is considered a promising imaging modality for evaluating the state of atherosclerotic plaques. We have newly developed a PET tracer that binds to the chemokine receptor CCR2 and confirmed its accumulation in mouse atherosclerosis. The signal of this tracer reflects the amount of CCR2 positive cells inside, such as monocytes and inflammatory macrophages, rather than the size of atherosclerotic plaques.

Free Research Field

循環器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

動脈硬化プラーク内における炎症性マクロファージのマーカーとしてCCR2が使用できることが明らかとなり、今後の、動脈硬化形成の病態解明に役立つと考えられた。また、我々の開発したCCR2特異的PETトレーサーは、単純に動脈硬化の大きさを反映するのではなく、動脈硬化プラーク内の単球や炎症性マクロファージを非侵襲的に検出することができることが判明し、今後の臨床応用に期待が持てる結果となった。