Activated αvβ3 Integrin Targeting in Injury-Induced Vascular Remodeling

There is currently no imaging modality to track the remodeling process, a common feature of a broad spectrum of vasculopathies, in vivo. αvβ3 Integrin is up-regulated in proliferating vascular cells. RP748, a novel peptidomimetic tracer, binds specifically to the activated αvβ3 conformer and exhibits favorable binding characteristics for in vivo imaging. In a model of injury-induced vascular remodeling in apoE null mice, RP748 localization to the injured carotid arteries parallels vascular cell proliferation, providing an opportunity to image the remodeling process in vivo.