Figure 2.

Target SSRT2 Expression in Proinflammatory Macrophages

Heatmap of population-based RNA sequencing data (A) showing high SSTR2 expression in proinflammatory M1 macrophages (n = 4), very low levels of SSTR2 expression in unstimulated M0 macrophages (n = 4), and alternatively activated M2 macrophages (n = 5). For comparison, a heatmap of GLUT1 and GLUT3 shows significant gene expression in all cell types (note, different scales for SSRT and GLUT genes; mean values are log2 fragments per kilobase of transcript for million mapped reads [FPKM+1]). SSTR2 expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages from CVD patients versus age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (n = 3 for both) using quantitative PCR (B). Photomicrograph shows green fluorescent immunoreactive SST₂ staining in macrophages (C), with blue nuclear DAPI-stained ([inset] concentration and isotype-matched IgG negative control). Brightfield photomicrograph shows brown immunoreactive SST₂-stained cultured macrophages, with nuclear counterstain (D). Phosphor autoradiographic image shows total binding of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE (E) in clusters of cultured macrophages ([inset] parallel incubation with ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE and cold competing ligand showing very low levels of nonspecific binding). IgG = immunoglobulin G; LPS = lipopolysaccharide; other abbreviations as in Figure 1.