LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHY VIA THE TARGETING OF MACROPHAGES WITH TC-99M-J001XPOLY-GALACTOSIDE IN A MODEL OF PYOGRANULOMAS DEVELOPED IN SHEEP LYMPH-NODES

Lymphoscintigraphy usually involves labeled microparticles or colloids that distribute in the lymph flow. A new strategy for imaging patholo gical lymph nodes would be the targeting of macrophages recruited in t hese lesions. The potential for lymphoscintigraphy of the highly diffu sible J001X acylated poly-galactoside labeled with 99mTc was studied a nd compared to usual colloidal agents in a model of infectious granulo mas developed in sheep. Scintigraphic and histological assessment of t he specificity of targeting was performed using a MAb (OM1) raised aga inst ovine macrophages taken as reference. This study has evidenced th e ability of J001X specifically to image pathologic lymph nodes and mo re especially the second lymph node in the same chain with a significa nt scintigraphic contrast.