The objective of this work is to develop and validate a molecular imaging approach to image inflammation in articular cartilage. We targeted hyaluronan (HA)-mediated inflammation, which is a common inflammatory pathway activated in cartilage, with contrast agents designed using a 15-mer peptide that modulates HA-cell interactions. We identify optimal imaging times and demonstrate that contrast agent accumulates in areas of macroscopic damage. In vivo, MRI detected accumulation of the contrast agent in cartilage of PTOA joints but not in controls. Cartilage in all but one ACL-injured joint showed T1-changes indicative of inflammation, demonstrating that HA-mediated inflammation is a common finding.
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