Noninvasive Imaging of Angiogenesis With a ^99m Tc-Labeled Peptide Targeted at α _v β ₃ Integrin After Murine Hindlimb Ischemia

Abstract

A 99mTc-labeled peptide (NC100692) targeted at alpha(v)beta3 integrin selectively localized to endothelial cells in regions of increased angiogenesis and could be used for noninvasive serial "hot spot" imaging of angiogenesis. This targeted radiotracer imaging approach is a major advance in tracking therapeutic myocardial angiogenesis and has an important clinical potential.