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Figure 6 Molecular Imaging of Apoptosis in Atherosclerosis Using Radiolabeled Annexin

Technetium-99m labeled annexin A5 accumulates in unstable atherosclerotic plaques. (A) Single-photon emission computed tomography images of a patient with a recent transient ischemic attack. (B) Annexin A5 in sections of the resected plaque stains strongly in a macrophage-rich area. In contrast, a minimal annexin A5 signal (C) appears in the carotid artery of a patient with a transient ischemic attack 3 months before imaging. (D) Annexin A5 immunoreactivity is at a background level in the corresponding smooth-muscle-cell-rich lesion. Images provided courtesy of Dr. Bas Kietselaer and Dr. Leonard Hofstra, University Hospital of Maastricht, the Netherlands. Reprinted, with permission, from Kietselaer et al. (70).