Detection of cardiac apoptosis by [(18)F]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-[(18)F]fluoropentyl)-2-methyl-malonic acid ([(18)F]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-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]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 [(18)F]ML-10 was evident in the infarct area after permanent ligation of the LAD in autoradiography and PET imaging. Detection of apoptosis by [(18)F]ML-10 is in line with the defect visualized by [(18)F]FDG and the histological approach. CONCLUSION: [(18)F]ML-10 could be a suitable tracer for apoptosis imaging in a mouse model of permanent LAD ligation. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11307-022-01718-0.