FMLP Research Articles

Role of TLR2 and TLR4 on human neutrophil functions against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) is the aetiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. The infection can be acquired by inhalation of airborne conidia that reach the lung alveoli, where they transform into yeast cells, the infective form [1]. Many people are exposed to the fungus, but only a small number develop clinical symptoms, suggesting that both innate and adaptive mechanisms are important in fungus clearance [2–5]. The host innate immune response against fungus has been well characterized, and several studies have clearly shown the role of phagocytic cells. In this context, in last years, various studies have focused on the role of neutrophils [6]. Some in vitro studies suggest that Pb-infected macrophages induce the onset of extravascular neutrophilia by releasing chemotactic peptides [7]. Heavy neutrophil infiltration in the lungs of Pb-infected mice at early acute infection was correlated with the release of keratinocytederived chemokine (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1a (MIP-1a), two important neutrophil chemoattractants [8]. In consequence of these chemotactic processes, massive neutrophil infiltration is found in infected tissues from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis [9] and in the early lesions of experimentally infected animals [10, 11]. Neutrophils from infected individuals can kill Pb [12]. However, experiments using more sensitive methods showed that despite their phagocytic capacity, these neutrophils are unable to digest Pb in vitro, indicating that a defect of neutrophil function may represent a susceptibility factor [13]. Further, studies in mice strongly suggest that lack of fungicidal activity correlates with defect in neutrophil activation because only those neutrophils from P. brasiliensis-sensitized mice exhibited efficient fungicidal *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, S.P., Brazil; and Botucatu Blood Center, School of Medicine, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, S.P., Brazil

Chemokines in Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology

Series Editor: Christian Weber ATVB In Focus Chemokines in Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology The trafficking of leukocytes is essential for many aspects of vascular biology and pathology in health and disease. Sequential steps of leukocyte recruitment to the vascular wall, eg, adhesion and emigration, are governed by chemokines, a family of small chemotactic peptides, which serve both inflammatory and homeostatic functions. Beyond controlling …

An Engineered Protease that Cleaves Specifically after Sulfated Tyrosine

An Engineered Protease that Cleaves Specifically after Sulfated Tyrosine

The -galactoside binding immunomodulatory lectin galectin-3 reverses the desensitized state induced in neutrophils by the chemotactic peptide f-Met-Leu-Phe: role of reactive oxygen species generated by the NADPH-oxidase and inactivation of the agonist

Neutrophils interacting with a chemoattractant gradually become nonresponsive to further stimulation by the same agonist, a process known as desensitization. Receptor desensitization is a highly regulated process that involves different mechanisms depending on which receptor-ligand pair that is studied. Galectin-3, a member of a large family of beta-galactoside-binding lectins, has been suggested to be a regulator of the inflammatory process, augmenting or directly triggering the neutrophil functional repertoire. We show here that the desensitized state of neutrophils interacting with the chemotactic peptide fMLF is broken by galectin-3 and that this is achieved through an oxygen radical-mediated inactivation of the chemoattractant. The effect was inhibited by the competitor lactose and required the affinity of galectin-3 for N-acetyllactosamine, a saccharide typically found on cell surface glycoproteins. The latter was shown using a galectin-3 mutant that lacked N-acetyllactosamine binding activity, and this protein was not active. The mechanism behind the inactivation of the chemoattractant was found to depend on the ability of galectin-3 to induce a neutrophil generation/secretion of reactive oxygen species which in combined action with myeloperoxidase inactivated the peptides.

The isolation of novel mesenchymal stromal cell chemotactic factors from the conditioned medium of tumor cells

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) localize to solid tumors. Defining the signaling mechanisms that regulate this process is important in understanding the role of MSCs in tumor growth. Using a combination of chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry we have identified novel soluble signaling molecules that induce MSC chemotaxis present in conditioned medium of the breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB231. Previous work has employed survey strategies using ELISA assay to identify known chemokines that promote MSC chemotaxis. While these studies provide valuable insights into the intercellular signals that impact MSC behavior, many less well-described, but potentially important soluble signaling molecules could be overlooked using these methods. Through the less directed method of column chromatography we have identified novel candidate MSC chemotactic peptides. Two proteins, cyclophilin B and hepatoma-derived growth factor were then further characterized and shown to promote MSC chemotaxis.

Antimicrobial peptides from the venoms of Vespa bicolor Fabricius

Hornets possess highly toxic venoms, which are rich in toxins, enzymes and biologically active peptides. Many bioactive substances have been identified from wasp venoms. Vespa mastoparan (MP-VBs) and Vespa chemotatic peptide presenting antimicrobial action (VESP-VBs) were purified and characterized from the venom of the wasp, Vespa bicolor Fabricius. The precursors encoding VESP-VBs and MP-VBs were cloned from the cDNA library of the venomous glands. Analyzed by FAB-MS, the amino acid sequence and molecular mass for VESP-VB1 were FMPIIGRLMSGSL and 1420.6, for MP-VB1 were INMKASAAVAKKLL and 1456.5, respectively. The primary structures of these peptides are homologous to those of chemotactic peptides and mastoparans isolated from other vespid venoms. These peptides showed strong antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi and induced mast cell degranulation, but displayed almost no hemolytic activity towards human blood red cells.

Glioblastoma stem cells produce vascular endothelial growth factor by activation of a G‐protein coupled formylpeptide receptor FPR

Glioma stem cells (GSCs), or stem cell-like glioma cells, isolated from malignant glioma cell lines, were capable of producing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the exact role of such tumour cells in angiogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we isolated a small proportion of CD133+ GSCs from the human glioblastoma cell line U87 and found that these GSCs possessed multipotent differentiation potential and released high levels of VEGF as compared with CD133(-) tumour cells. The CD133+ GSCs also formed larger xenograft tumours that contained higher VEGF immunoreactivity and denser microvessels. Moreover, GSCs expressed a functional G protein-coupled formylpeptide receptor FPR, which was activated by a chemotactic peptide ligand, N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF), to mediate calcium flux and the production of VEGF by GSCs. Our results indicate that FPR expressed by human GSCs may play an important role in glioma angiogenesis.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Facilitates Neutrophil Migration through the Corneal Stromal Matrix by Collagen Degradation and Production of the Chemotactic Peptide Pro-Gly-Pro

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-9 play several roles in inflammation, including degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and regulation of cytokine activity. To determine the roles of MMP-8 and MMP-9 in a neutrophil-dependent inflammatory response, we used a murine model of corneal inflammation in which LPS is injected into the corneal stroma. In contrast to wild-type mice, we found that i) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected CXCR2(-/-) corneas had impaired neutrophil infiltration and did not express either MMP-8 or MMP-9; ii) neutrophil migration through the central cornea was impaired in Mmp8(-/-), but not Mmp9(-/-), mice; iii) neutrophil migration was inhibited in collagenase-resistant mice; iv) the chemotactic Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) tripeptide that binds CXCR2 was decreased in CXCR2(-/-) mice; v) PGP production was impaired in Mmp8(-/-) corneas; and vi) neutralizing anti-PGP antibody did not inhibit neutrophil infiltration in Mmp8(-/-) mice. We found no effects of MMP-8 on LPS-induced CXC chemokine (LIX, or CXCL5)-induced neutrophil recruitment or on LPS-induced CXC chemokine production. Together, these studies indicate that neutrophils contribute to the production of both MMP-8 and MMP-9 in LPS-injected corneas and that MMP-8 regulates neutrophil migration through the dense collagenous ECM of the corneal stroma by generating chemotactic PGP during inflammation.

The effect of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies on the signal transduction in human neutrophils

The effect of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies (ANCA) on neutrophil activation was studied by pre-incubating neutrophils with IgG and F(ab')2 prepared from ANCA patients with Wegener's granulomatosis or microscopic polyarteritis. We measured the generation of inositol triphosphate (IP3) (a product of hydrolysis of membrane phospholipid which acts as a second intracellular messenger), and the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) upon stimulation by a chemotactic peptide, fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP). ANCA+ F(ab')2 did not induce a significant increase in IP3 generation. Nonetheless, ANCA+ F(ab')2 and ANCA+ IgG pretreatment of human neutrophils reduced the production of inositol phosphates upon subsequent fMLP stimulation compared with experiments performed when cells were pretreated with F(ab')2 and IgG prepared from ANCA- healthy subjects. A significantly reduced generation of IP3 and inositol biphosphate (IP2) was observed. ANCA+ F(ab')2 pretreatment of neutrophils inhibited fMLP-stimulated IP3 generation in a dose-dependent manner. The membrane-bound PKC activity upon stimulation by FMLP and PMA was reduced in neutrophils pretreated with ANCA+ F(ab')2 and IgG. These results indicate that ANCA affect in vitro signal transduction (IP3 generation, and translocation of PKC) in human neutrophils. Apparently, further activation of signal transduction by chemotactic peptide is significantly blunted in cells pre-incubated with ANCA+ F(ab')2 but not with F(ab')2 from healthy controls.

Activation of normal neutrophils by anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) are markers of systemic vasculitis for which a pathogenetic role has been postulated. We have examined the effect of these autoantibodies on the function of normal human neutrophils in vitro. In the presence of ANCA positive sera luminol-amplified chemiluminescence was significantly increased compared to the values seen in the presence of normal or anti-double stranded DNA positive sera (P < 0.01). Five of six ANCA positive F(ab)2 preparations also produced significant neutrophil activation as demonstrated by the chemiluminescence response. This response was totally abrogated by the addition of neutrophil cytoplasm extract, containing the ANCA antigen. Addition of inhibitors to the chemiluminescence system demonstrated that the chemiluminescence response was inhibited by azide and salicylhydroxamic acid and reduced by histidine, suggesting that the chemiluminescence response was due to activation of myeloperoxidase, with generation of singlet oxygen. The chemotactic response to f-Met-Leu-Phe, a bacterial chemotactic peptide, was significantly augmented in the presence of ANCA. Chemotaxis to zymosan-activated serum and chemokinesis was not affected. Phagocytosis was also unaffected. We propose that neutrophil activation and modulation of neutrophil migration by ANCA may be of pathogenetic significance in systemic vasculitis.

A carbon monoxide‐releasing molecule (CORM‐3) abrogates polymorphonuclear granulocyte‐induced activation of endothelial cells and mast cells

We hypothesized that circulating polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs), vascular endothelial cells (ECs), and perivascular mast cells (MCs) may initiate and sustain the inflammatory response through the generation of the superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) by PMNs primed by inflammatory stimuli, which in turn evoked the overexpression of adhesion molecules from ECs and release of histamine by MCs. To pin-point the role of carbon monoxide (CO) in curbing vascular inflammation, we studied the effect of a water-soluble CO-releasing molecule [tricarbonylchloro-glycinate-ruthenium (II); CORM-3] on an experimental model of vascular inflammation. The model consists of coincubating formyl-methionyl peptide (fMLP) -primed human PMNs with rat ECs or with rat MCs. The effects of CORM-3 were evaluated by measuring the generation of O(2)(*-) and the expression of CD11b in fMLP-primed PMNs; the expression of ICAM-1 and CD203c in ECs and MCs, respectively; and the release of histamine from MCs. Our results show that the chemotactic peptide fMLP primes PMNs to generate O(2)(*-) and overexpress CD11b, both events being central to the inflammatory process, while CORM-3 significantly decreases these events (IC(50)=1.66 microM for O(2)(*-) production; 1.20 microM for CD11b expression in human PMNs). The experiments also show that fMLP-primed PMNs increase the CD54 expression by coincubated ECs, and the expression of CD203c and the release of histamine by coincubated MCs. Once again, CORM-3 abolishes these events (IC(50)=6.78 microM for CD54 expression in ECs; 1.18 microM for CD203 expression; 1.15 microM for histamine release in MCs). Thus, CORM-3 exerts a powerful anti-inflammatory action by down-regulating the oxidative burst in PMNs, the overexpression of adhesion molecules in PMNs and ECs, the release of histamine, and the overexpression of an activation marker by MCs.

The uraemic retention solute para-hydroxy-hippuric acid attenuates apoptosis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from healthy subjects but not from haemodialysis patients

Disturbed polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) apoptosis contributes to the dysregulation of the non-specific immune system in uraemia. Intracellular Ca(2+) modulates PMNL apoptotic cell death. We investigated the effect of para-hydroxy-hippuric acid (PHA), an erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor accumulating in uraemic sera, and of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of the sarko/endoplasmatic Ca(2+)-ATPase, on PMNL apoptosis. Apoptosis of PMNLs from healthy subjects and from haemodialysis (HD) patients was assessed after incubation for 20 h by evaluating morphological features under the fluorescence microscope and by measuring the DNA content and caspase activities by flow cytometry. The intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) was determined by measurement of fura-2 fluorescence using the 340/ 380 nm dual wavelength excitation. Spontaneous apoptosis of PMNLs from healthy subjects and from HD patients did not differ. PHA significantly attenuated, while CPA increased, the apoptotic cell death of PMNLs from healthy subjects. The PHA effect was not observed with PMNLs from HD patients, irrespective of whether the blood was drawn before or after HD treatment. Baseline [Ca(2+)](i) was increased in PMNLs obtained from HD patients before dialysis but reversed after dialysis. The PHA effects were not mediated via [Ca(2+)](i). The chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) induced a [Ca(2+)](i) increase and reduced PMNL survival. Extracellular Ca(2+) did not affect CPA- and fMLP-induced apoptosis. PHA, without affecting [Ca(2+)](i), attenuates apoptosis of healthy but not of uraemic PMNLs. CPA and fMLP enhance PMNL apoptosis independently of Ca(2+) influx.

Actin S-Nitrosylation Inhibits Neutrophil β2 Integrin Function

The focus of this work was to elucidate the mechanism for inhibition of neutrophil beta(2) integrin adhesion molecules by hyperoxia. Results demonstrate that exposure to high oxygen partial pressures increases synthesis of reactive species derived from type 2 nitric-oxide synthase and myeloperoxidase, leading to excessive S-nitrosylation of beta-actin and possibly profilin. Hyperoxia causes S-nitrosylation of the four cysteine moieties closest to the carboxyl-terminal end of actin, which results in formation of short actin filaments. This alters actin polymerization, network formation, and intracellular distribution, as well as inhibits beta(2) integrin clustering. If neutrophils are exposed to ultraviolet light to reverse S-nitrosylation, or are incubated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucine-phenylalanine to trigger "inside-out" activation, the effects of hyperoxia are reversed. We conclude that cytoskeletal changes triggered by hyperoxia inhibit beta(2) integrin-dependent neutrophil adhesion.

(2R,3R)‐2‐(3′,4′‐dihydroxybenzyl)‐3‐(3″,4″‐dimethoxybenzyl)butyrolactone(PP‐6) suppresses fMLP‐induced superoxide production by inhibiting fMLP‐receptor binding in human neutrophils

This study investigated the mechanism underlying the inhibiting effect of PP‐6, a lignan from Piper philippinum, on superoxide anion production induced by the chemotactic peptide fMLP in human neutrophils. Human neutrophils were stimulated with fMLP (1 μM), PMA (100 nM) or LTB4 (1 μM) and induced superoxide anion release. PP‐6 inhibited fMLP‐induced superoxide anion production in a concentration‐dependent manner with an IC50 value of 0.3±0.1 μM. Intracellular signaling caused by fMLP, PMA or LTB4 were evaluated. PP‐6 inhibited fMLP‐induced intracellular calcium mobilization and ERK, Akt and p38 phosphorylation. Moreover, PP‐6 inhibited fMLP‐induced Mac‐1 expression without affecting this caused by LTB4 or PMA. PP‐6 did not increase cAMP level in human neutrophils. PP‐6 did not inhibit superoxide anion production by NaF, the target of the inhibitory action of PP‐6 appears to be a component of the signal transduction pathway upstream of G‐protein. PP‐6 inhibited FITC‐fMLP binding to neutrophils in a concentration‐dependent manner with an IC50 of 1.5±0.2 μM. PP‐6 did not bring a parallel shift in the concentration response of fMLP‐induced superoxide anion. Additionally, the inhibiting effect of PP‐6 on fMLP induced superoxide anion was reversed when PP‐6 was washed out. These experimental results suggest that PP‐6 exerts non‐competitive and reversible antagonistic effect on fMLP receptor.

Predicting outcome of IgA nephropathy by use of urinary epidermal growth factor: monocyte chemotactic peptide 1 ratio

Predicting outcome of IgA nephropathy by use of urinary epidermal growth factor: monocyte chemotactic peptide 1 ratio

Stimulated monocyte IL-6 secretion predicts survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundThis study was performed in order to determine whether monocyte in vitro function is associated with presence, stage and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) disease.MethodsProspective study describing outcome, after at least five years observation, of patients treated for HNSCC disease in relation to their monocyte function. Sixty-five patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC and eighteen control patients were studied. Monocyte responsiveness was assessed by measuring levels of monocyte in vitro interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte chemotactic peptide (MCP)-1 secretion after 24 hours of endotoxin stimulation in cultures supplied either with 20% autologous serum (AS) or serum free medium (SFM). Survival, and if relevant, cause of death, was determined at least 5 years following primary diagnosis.ResultsAll patients, as a group, had higher in vitro monocyte responsiveness in terms of IL-6 (AS) (t = 2.03; p < 0.05) and MCP-1 (SFM) (t = 2.49; p < 0.05) compared to controls. Increased in vitro monocyte IL-6 endotoxin responsiveness under the SFM condition was associated with decreased survival rate (Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.27; Confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–4.88; p < 0.05). The predictive value of monocyte responsiveness, as measured by IL-6, was also retained when adjusted for age, gender and disease stage of patients (HR = 2.67; CI = 1.03–6.92; p < 0.05). With respect to MCP-1, low endotoxin-stimulated responsiveness (AS), analysed by Kaplan-Meier method, predicted decreased survival (χ = 4.0; p < 0.05).ConclusionIn HNSCC patients, changed monocyte in vitro response to endotoxin, as measured by increased IL-6 (SFM) and decreased MCP-1 (AS) responsiveness, are negative prognostic factors.

Radioiodine labelling of a small chemotactic peptide, utilizing two different prosthetic groups: a comparative study

AbstractThe use of iodobenzoates as pre‐labelled prosthetic groups in the radioiodination of peptides is becoming increasingly popular. The utilization of an iodovinyl ester unit as an alternative conjugation agent for the preparation of a radioiodinated peptide conjugate (peptide‐[123I]I‐PEA) was investigated in this study. A pre‐labelled unit, containing a tetrafluorophenyl ester group, was purified on a small C18 column and the dimethylformamide eluate was used directly in the conjugation step. Similar methodology was applied for a comparative radiosynthesis of an iodobenzoate analogue (peptide‐[123I]IB), using a succinimidyl ester. The influences of various reaction parameters on conjugation yields were investigated while maintaining a fixed amount of peptide. At high activity levels (more than 200 MBq) the conjugation yield of peptide‐[123I]I‐PEA was very sensitive to relatively large reaction volumes and increased amount of base. By optimizing these parameters, the formation of radiochemical impurities was minimized. Under similar conditions, peptide‐[123I]I‐PEA formed much faster than peptide‐[123I]IB. Sep‐Pak C18 purification afforded conjugates with radiochemical purities both in excess of 98% and free from unreacted peptide. Recovered conjugation yields of peptide‐[123I]I‐PEA in 50% ethanol were in excess of 60%, while those for peptide‐[123I]IB were less than 40%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Statin Reduces C-Reactive Protein and Interleukin-6 in Normocholesterolemic Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Many evidences suggest that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease and inflammatory markers can be an important prognostic factors in acute coronary syndrome. Hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown anti-inflammatory property that are independent of lipid-lowering effects. We evaluated the effects of 2-month treatment with simvastatin (40 mg/d, n=20) on plasma levels of circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6], and adhesion molecules [p-selectin and monocyte chemotactic peptide (MCP)-1] with placebo group (n=20) in 40 normocholesterolemic patients (LDL<130 mg/dl) with acute coronary syndrome. Simvastatin therapy significantly reduced plasma levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p=0.05, p=0.02, respectively) compared with placebo group. Simvastatin therapy also significantly reduced plasma levels of hsCRP and IL-6 (p=0.03, p=0.03, respectively) compared with placebo group. But, the reduction of hsCRP and IL-6 levels with simvastatin was unrelated to the degree of LDL-cholesterol's reduction. The effect of simvastatin on the reduction of hsCRP and IL-6, but not on the other inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, have potential implications in the management of acute coronary syndrome with normocholesterolemia.

Diethylstilbestrol inhibits phospholipase D activity and degranulation by stimulated human neutrophils

In the present study the effects of diethylstilbestrol on phospholipase D activity and degranulation by human neutrophils were examined. Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic estrogen and has structural similarity to resveratrol. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic antioxidant and has been shown to inhibit the activity of phospholipase D in stimulated neutrophils. Phospholipase D catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to yield phosphatidic acid and choline. It also catalyzes the transfer of the phosphatidyl group to ethanol forming phosphatidylethanol at the expense of phosphatidic acid. Phospholipase D activation is associated with degranulation by neutrophils stimulated with chemotactic peptide, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The results show that diethylstilbestrol at 100 μM induced a complete inhibition of phosphatidic acid formation in neutrophils, the latter activated by chemotactic peptide. In the presence of ethanol, diethylstilbestrol dose dependently reduced phosphatidylethanol formation induced by chemotactic peptide or by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, indicative of diethylstilbestyrol inhibition of phospholipase D activity. The results also demonstrate that diethylstilbestrol inhibited degranulation by chemotactic peptide-stimulated neutrophils. In comparison to resveratrol, diethylstilbestrol exhibits a stronger inhibition on PA formation, phospholipase D activity and degranulation. These findings suggest that diethylstilbestrol-like resveratrol, may have anti-inflammatory effect in vitro.

Radiolabeled Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 for the Detection of Inflammation in Experimental Atherosclerosis

Chemotactic peptides, such as Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 (MCP-1), play a key role in transendothelial migration of mononuclear cells during the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Because atherosclerotic plaques that are precursors of acute coronary events harbor abundant macrophage infiltration, we hypothesized that the detection of a high concentration of MCP-1 receptors on inflammatory cells should noninvasively identify vulnerable plaques. Atherosclerotic lesions were induced by balloon deendothelialization of the abdominal aorta, which was followed by a 0.5% cholesterol diet for 16 wk in 7 New Zealand White rabbits; 5 unmanipulated rabbits, fed normal chow for 16 wk, were used as controls. Radionuclide imaging was performed immediately after intravenous (99m)Tc-labeled MCP-1 administration and 3 h later. At the end of imaging session, aortas were explanted and submitted for estimation of quantitative MCP-1 uptake (in percentage injected dose per gram, %ID/g) and pathologic characterization. Atherosclerotic lesions were clearly visible in all hyperlipidemic animal gamma-imaging. No tracer uptake was seen in the control rabbits. The mean quantitative MCP-1 uptake in atherosclerotic lesions was 4-fold higher than that of the aortic specimens from the control rabbits (0.065 +/- 0.005 vs. 0.016 +/- 0.006; P < 0.0001). Histology confirmed a strong correlation between MCP-1 uptake and the number of macrophages in American Heart Association type II-IV lesions (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001). Noninvasive radionuclide imaging of inflammation is feasible by MCP-1 in experimentally induced atherosclerosis. It is proposed that detection of the extent of inflammation in advanced atherosclerotic plaques may allow identification of unstable plaques.