CCR2 imaging in human ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Among the diverse populations of myeloid cells that reside within the healthy and diseased heart, C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) is specifically expressed on inflammatory populations of monocytes and macrophages that contribute to the development and progression of heart failure1-4. Here, we evaluated a peptide-based imaging probe (64Cu-DOTA-ECL1i) that specifically recognizes CCR2+ monocytes and macrophages for human cardiac imaging. Compared to healthy controls, 64Cu-DOTA-ECL1i heart uptake was increased in individuals after acute myocardial infarction, predominately localized within the infarct area, and was associated with impaired myocardial wall motion. These findings establish the feasibility of molecular imaging of CCR2 expression to visualize inflammatory monocytes and macrophages in the injured human heart. C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) is expressed on inflammatory populations of monocytes and macrophages that contribute to heart failure. In this study, Lavine et al. establish the feasibility of CCR2 imaging in patients who have had a myocardial infarction.