Non-invasive diagnosis of acute heart-or lung-transplant rejection using radiolabeled annexin V

Background. Apoptosis is a ubiquitous set of cellular processes by which su perfluous or unwanted cells are eliminated in the body without harming adja cent healthy tissues. When apoptosis is inappropriate (too little or too mu ch), a variety of human diseases can occur, including acute heart or lung t ransplant rejection. Objective. Our group has developed a new radiopharmaceutical, radiolabeled annexin V,which can image apoptosis. Results and conclusion. Here we briefly review the biomolecular basis of ap optosis and its role in acute rejection. We also describe the possible use of radiolabeled annexin V to screen children noninvasively for acute reject ion following organ transplantation.