Detection of cardiac apoptosis by [18F]ML-10 in a mouse model of permanent LAD ligation

Purpose The loss of viable cardiac cells and cell death by myocardial infarction (MI) is still a significant obstacle in preventing deteriorating heart failure. Imaging of apoptosis, a defined cascade to cell death, could identify areas at risk. Procedures Using 2-(5-[18F]fluoropentyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid ([18F]ML-10) in autoradiography and positron emission tomography (PET) visualized apoptosis in murine hearts after permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) inducing myocardial infarction (MI). 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) PET imaging localized the infarct area after MI. Histology by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining validated apoptosis in the heart. Results Accumulation of [18F]ML-10 was evident in the infarct area after permanent ligation of the LAD in autoradiography and PET imaging. Detection of apoptosis by [18F]ML-10 is in line with the defect visualized by [18F]FDG and the histological approach. Conclusion [18F]ML-10 could be a suitable tracer for apoptosis imaging in a mouse model of permanent LAD ligation.