We aimed to elucidate the temporal profile of macrophage infiltration in synovitis in RA rat models using PET (positron emission tomography) imaging based a new generation of TSPO (Translocator protein, 18 kDa)-PET ligand, 18F-VUIIS1008 {2-[5,7-Diethyl-2-{4-[2-(18F)fluoroethoxy]phenyl}pyrazolo(1,5-a)pyri-midin-3-yl]-N, N-diethylacetamide}. Here, TSPO is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.