Logo image
18F-FDG Uptake Rate Is a Biomarker of Eosinophilic Inflammation and Airway Response in Asthma
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

18F-FDG Uptake Rate Is a Biomarker of Eosinophilic Inflammation and Airway Response in Asthma

R. Scott Harris, José G Venegas, Josalyn Cho, Chanikarn Wongviriyawong, Tilo Winkler, Mamary Kone, Guido Musch, Marcos F Vidal Melo, Nicolas de Prost, Daniel L Hamilos, …
The Journal of nuclear medicine (1978), Vol.52(11), pp.1713-1720
11/2011
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.110.086355
PMCID: PMC3855676
PMID: 21990575
url
https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.110.086355View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

In asthma, the relationship among airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and lung function is poorly understood. Methods to noninvasively assess these relationships in human subjects are needed. We sought to determine whether 18F-FDG uptake rate (Ki, min−1) could serve as a biomarker of eosinophilic inflammation and local lung function. Methods: We used PET/CT to assess regional pulmonary perfusion (Q˙), specific ventilation per unit volume (sV˙A), fractional gas content (Fgas), airway wall thickness, and regional Ki 10 h after segmental allergen challenge to the right middle lobe in 6 asthmatic subjects with demonstrated atopy. Q˙, sV˙A, and Fgas in the allergen-challenged lobe were compared with the right upper lobe, where diluent was applied as a control. The airway wall thickness aspect ratio (ω) of the allergen-challenged airway was compared with those of similarly sized airways from unaffected areas of the lung. Differences in Ki between allergen and diluent segments were compared with those in cell counts obtained 24 h after the allergen challenge by a bronchoalveolar lavage of the respective segments. Results: We found systematic reductions in regional Q˙, sV˙A, and Fgas and increased ω in all subjects. The ratio of eosinophil count (allergen to diluent) was linearly related (R2 = 0.9917, P < 0.001) to the ratio of Ki. Conclusion: Regional Ki measured with PET is a noninvasive and highly predictive biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation and its functional effects. This method may serve to help in the understanding of allergic inflammation and test the therapeutic effectiveness of novel drugs or treatments.
ventilation-perfusion ratio fluorine isotopes emission-computed tomography airway constriction nitrogen isotopes pulmonary gas exchange

Details

Metrics

Logo image