The macrophage marker translocator protein (TSPO) is down-regulated on pro-inflammatory 'M1' human macrophages.

ABSTRACT: The translocator protein (TSPO) is a mitochondrial membrane protein, of as yet uncertain function. Its purported high expression on activated macrophages, has lent utility to TSPO targeted molecular imaging in the form of positron emission tomography (PET), as a means to detect and quantify inflammation in vivo. However, existing literature regarding TSPO expression on human activated macrophages is lacking, mostly deriving from brain tissue studies, including studies of brain malignancy, and inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Here, we utilized three human sources of monocyte derived macrophages (MDM), from THP-1 monocytes, healthy peripheral blood monocytes and synovial fluid monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, to undertake a detailed investigation of TSPO ex

SUBMITTER: Narayan N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5624624 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature