Visualization of Activated T Cells by OX40-ImmunoPET as a Strategy for Diagnosis of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

alwin shared this article with you from Inoreader Visualization of Activated T Cells by OX40-ImmunoPET as a Strategy for Diagnosis of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease Via Cancer Research current issue Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), mediated primarily by donor T cells that become activated and attack host tissues. Noninvasive strategies detecting T-cell activation would allow for early diagnosis and possibly more effective management of HCT recipients. PET imaging is a sensitive and clinically relevant modality ideal for GvHD diagnosis, and there is a strong rationale for the use of PET tracers that can monitor T-cell activa tion and expansion with high specificity. The TNF receptor superfamily member OX40 (CD134) is a cell surface marker that is highly specific for activated T cells, is upregulated during GvHD, and mediates disease pathogenesis. We recently reported the development of an antibody-based activated T-cell imaging agent targeting OX40. In the present study, we visualize the dynamics of OX40 expression in an MHC-mismatch mouse model of acute GvHD using OX40-immunoPET. This approach enabled visualization of T-cell activation at early stages of disease, prior to overt clinical symptoms with high sensitivity and specificity. This study highlights the potential utility of the OX40 PET imaging as a new strategy for GvHD diagnosis and therapy monitoring.Significance:OX40-immunoPET imaging is a promising noninvasive strategy for early detection of GvHD, capable of detecting signs of GvHD pathology even prior to the development of overt clinical symptoms. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.