Editorial commentary: Imaging the aorta for inflammation: Informing practice on emerging molecular techniques

There is a high level of consistency between the responses to therapy as measure by Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomographic imaging (FDG-PET/CT) and the development of future atherosclerotic events. The CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway also partly regulates B- and T-cells (B-cell development and CXCR4 mediated chemotaxis), neutrophils (CXCR4-maintained homeostasis and neutrophil activation), platelets (amplification of platelet activation and survival), endothelial cells (upregulation by vascular endothelial growth factor/hypoxia/shear stress) and vascular smooth muscle cells (proliferation and migration and upregulation in injured arterial wall contributing to intimal hyperplasia). [...]even if 18F-FDG is an unspecific tracer, it still holds great potential.