Speaker: Dr. John Chen

Abstract:
Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of numerous central nervous system disorders. While traditionally viewed as a secondary process, inflammation is increasingly recognized as a dynamic, heterogeneous driver of disease progression and therapeutic response. This presentation will begin with a brief overview of the cellular and molecular underpinnings of neuroinflammation, including the roles of innate immune
cells such as microglia, neutrophils, and macrophages. We will highlight several imaging approaches used to visualize inflammatory processes in the brain. The central focus of the talk will be on myeloperoxidase (MPO), a pro-oxidative enzyme abundantly expressed by activated neutrophils and pro-inflammatory macrophages/microglia. MPO is not only a marker of inflammation but also a functional mediator of oxidative tissue injury. We will describe the development and application of MPO-targeted imaging agents, with an emphasis on the novel PET tracer ¹⁸F-MAPP, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and specifically detect MPO
activity in vivo. Data will be presented demonstrating how MPO imaging can map neuroinflammatory dynamics, distinguish immune phenotypes, and monitor treatment response. Finally, we will discuss translational efforts to bring MPO imaging into clinical use as a biomarker of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Short bio:
John W. Chen, MD, PhD is a Neuroradiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Associate Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School. He trained at MGH for both his diagnostic radiology residency and neuroradiology fellowship. He is the Co-Director of the MGH Institute for Innovation in Imaging, focused on the translation of novel imaging technologies. He also serves as the Director of Imaging Clinical Trials and Chair of the Technology Evaluation Committee in the Division of Neuroradiology at MGH. He is a Deputy Editor of Radiology Advances, a new open-access RSNA journal, and serves on the editorial boards of Scientific Reports and Cells. He serves on the Research Committee and the International Collaboration Committee at the American Society of Neuroradiology, as well as on study sections at the NIH and the Department of Defense. His research focuses on the development, application, and translation of novel molecular imaging agents to noninvasively report and better understand inflammation, especially for neurological and neurovascular diseases. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed scientific papers, including papers in Radiology, Science, PNAS, Nature Communications, and Nature Methods. His lab is funded by the NIH, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Department of Defense, and industry.

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