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Zhao X, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y. Ferritin: Significance in viral infections. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2531. [PMID: 38502012 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
As an indispensable trace element, iron is essential for many biological processes. Increasing evidence has shown that virus infection can perturb iron metabolism and play a role in the occurrence and development of viral infection-related diseases. Ferritin plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's iron homoeostasis. It is an important protein to stabilise the iron balance in cells. Ferritin is a 24-mer hollow iron storage protein composed of two subunits: ferritin heavy chain and ferritin light chain. It was reported that ferritin is not only an intra-cellular iron storage protein, but also a pathogenic mediator that enhances the inflammatory process and stimulates the further inflammatory pathway, which is a key member of the vicious pathogenic cycle to perpetuate. Ferritin exerts immuno-suppressive and pro-inflammatory functions during viral infection. In this review, we describe in detail the basic information of ferritin in the first section, including its structural features, the regulation of ferritin. In the second part, we focus on the role of ferritin in viral infection-related diseases and the molecular mechanisms by which viral infection regulates ferritin. The last section briefly outlines the potential of ferritin in antiviral therapy. Given the importance of iron and viral infection, understanding the role of ferritin during viral infection helps us understand the relationship between iron metabolic dysfunction and viral infection, which provides a new direction for the development of antiviral therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuntao Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, China
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2
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Cai A, Zheng N, Thompson GJ, Wu Y, Nie B, Lin K, Su P, Wu J, Manyande A, Zhu L, Wang J, Xu F. Longitudinal neural connection detection using a ferritin-encoding adeno-associated virus vector and in vivo MRI method. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:5010-5022. [PMID: 34288264 PMCID: PMC8449107 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The investigation of neural circuits is important for interpreting both healthy brain function and psychiatric disorders. Currently, the architecture of neural circuits is always investigated with fluorescent protein encoding neurotropic virus and ex vivo fluorescent imaging technology. However, it is difficult to obtain a whole‐brain neural circuit connection in living animals, due to the limited fluorescent imaging depth. Herein, the noninvasive, whole‐brain imaging technique of MRI and the hypotoxicity virus vector AAV (adeno‐associated virus) were combined to investigate the whole‐brain neural circuits in vivo. AAV2‐retro are an artificially‐evolved virus vector that permits access to the terminal of neurons and retrograde transport to their cell bodies. By expressing the ferritin protein which could accumulate iron ions and influence the MRI contrast, the neurotropic virus can cause MRI signal changes in the infected regions. For mice injected with the ferritin‐encoding virus vector (rAAV2‐retro‐CAG‐Ferritin) in the caudate putamen (CPu), several regions showed significant changes in MRI contrasts, such as PFC (prefrontal cortex), HIP (hippocampus), Ins (insular cortex) and BLA (basolateral amygdala). The expression of ferritin in those regions was also verified with ex vivo fluorescence imaging. In addition, we demonstrated that changes in T2 relaxation time could be used to identify the spread area of the virus in the brain over time. Thus, the neural connections could be longitudinally detected with the in vivo MRI method. This novel technique could be utilized to observe the viral infection process and detect the neural circuits in a living animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoling Cai
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Energy Technology, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kunzhang Lin
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Su
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China
| | - Anne Manyande
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University of West London, London, UK
| | - LingQiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Basic Medicine for Diabetes, 2nd Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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3
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Concilio SC, Russell SJ, Peng KW. A brief review of reporter gene imaging in oncolytic virotherapy and gene therapy. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 21:98-109. [PMID: 33981826 PMCID: PMC8065251 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reporter gene imaging (RGI) can accelerate development timelines for gene and viral therapies by facilitating rapid and noninvasive in vivo studies to determine the biodistribution, magnitude, and durability of viral gene expression and/or virus infection. Functional molecular imaging systems used for this purpose can be divided broadly into deep-tissue and optical modalities. Deep-tissue modalities, which can be used in animals of any size as well as in human subjects, encompass single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional/molecular magnetic resonance imaging (f/mMRI). Optical modalities encompass fluorescence, bioluminescence, Cerenkov luminescence, and photoacoustic imaging and are suitable only for small animal imaging. Here we discuss the mechanisms of action and relative merits of currently available reporter gene systems, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of deep tissue versus optical imaging systems and the hardware/reagents that are used for data capture and processing. In light of recent technological advances, falling costs of imaging instruments, better availability of novel radioactive and optical tracers, and a growing realization that RGI can give invaluable insights across the entire in vivo translational spectrum, the approach is becoming increasingly essential to facilitate the competitive development of new virus- and gene-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kah-Whye Peng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Feng W, Han X, Wang R, Gao X, Hu P, Yue W, Chen Y, Shi J. Nanocatalysts-Augmented and Photothermal-Enhanced Tumor-Specific Sequential Nanocatalytic Therapy in Both NIR-I and NIR-II Biowindows. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1805919. [PMID: 30536723 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201805919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been increasingly recognized as a crucial contributor to tumorigenesis. Based on the unique TME for achieving tumor-specific therapy, here a novel concept of photothermal-enhanced sequential nanocatalytic therapy in both NIR-I and NIR-II biowindows is proposed, which innovatively changes the condition of nanocatalytic Fenton reaction for production of highly efficient hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and consequently suppressing the tumor growth. Evidence suggests that glucose plays a vital role in powering cancer progression. Encouraged by the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid and H2 O2 by glucose oxidase (GOD), an Fe3 O4 /GOD-functionalized polypyrrole (PPy)-based composite nanocatalyst is constructed to achieve diagnostic imaging-guided, photothermal-enhanced, and TME-specific sequential nanocatalytic tumor therapy. The consumption of intratumoral glucose by GOD leads to the in situ elevation of the H2 O2 level, and the integrated Fe3 O4 component then catalyzes H2 O2 into highly toxic •OH to efficiently induce cancer-cell death. Importantly, the high photothermal-conversion efficiency (66.4% in NIR-II biowindow) of the PPy component elevates the local tumor temperature in both NIR-I and NIR-II biowindows to substaintially accelerate and improve the nanocatalytic disproportionation degree of H2 O2 for enhancing the nanocatalytic-therapeutic efficacy, which successfully achieves a remarkable synergistic anticancer outcome with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Feng
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
| | - Xiuguo Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Implants, Department of Orthopedic Surgery Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, P. R. China
| | - Rongyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
| | - Wenwen Yue
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tenth People's Hospital of Tongji University, Ultrasound Research and Education Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
| | - Jianlin Shi
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
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Mallett CL, Shuboni-Mulligan DD, Shapiro EM. Tracking Neural Progenitor Cell Migration in the Rodent Brain Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Neurosci 2019; 12:995. [PMID: 30686969 PMCID: PMC6337062 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of neurogenesis and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is important across the biomedical spectrum, from learning about normal brain development and studying disease to engineering new strategies in regenerative medicine. In adult mammals, NPCs proliferate in two main areas of the brain, the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone, and continue to migrate even after neurogenesis has ceased within the rest of the brain. In healthy animals, NPCs migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) from the SVZ to the olfactory bulb, and in diseased animals, NPCs migrate toward lesions such as stroke and tumors. Here we review how MRI-based cell tracking using iron oxide particles can be used to monitor and quantify NPC migration in the intact rodent brain, in a serial and relatively non-invasive fashion. NPCs can either be labeled directly in situ by injecting particles into the lateral ventricle or RMS, where NPCs can take up particles, or cells can be harvested and labeled in vitro, then injected into the brain. For in situ labeling experiments, the particle type, injection site, and image analysis methods have been optimized and cell migration toward stroke and multiple sclerosis lesions has been investigated. Delivery of labeled exogenous NPCs has allowed imaging of cell migration toward more sites of neuropathology, which may enable new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for as-of-yet untreatable neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane L. Mallett
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Dorela D. Shuboni-Mulligan
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Erik M. Shapiro
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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6
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Qin X, Hu X, Wu C, Cai M, Li Z, Zhang L, Lin L, Huang W, Zhu K. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Carrying a Multimodality Reporter Gene for Fluorescence, Bioluminescence, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Vitro and In Vivo. Acad Radiol 2016; 23:1422-1430. [PMID: 27641103 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of imaging or tracking hepatocellular carcinoma cells by modifying these cells to carry a multimodality reporter gene, enabling fluorescence, bioluminescence, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS HepG2 cells were labeled with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)/luciferase2/ferritin-the multimodality reporter gene (labeled HepG2 cells). The labeled and unlabeled HepG2 cells were cultured in vitro and then injected subcutaneously into mice as a hepatoma model in vivo. The expressions of EGFP, luciferase2, and ferritin in HepG2 cell suspensions and hepatoma model were investigated using fluorescence, bioluminescence, and MRI. RESULTS Individual HepG2 cells expressing EGFP were identified under blue laser excitation. The linear coefficient between the optical signal intensity of luciferase2 and the number of labeled cells was 0.993. MRI was used to distinguish the T2* signal of 2 × 107 cells/mL between the labeled (6.67 ± 1.88 ms) and unlabeled cells (10.66 ± 2.22 ms) (P = 0.034). In vivo, individual HepG2 cells expressing EGFP in frozen sections were observed. Labeled cells expressing luciferase2 have been detected since the second day after injection, and the bioluminescence increased with the tumor size. The T2* signal was significantly different between the labeled (6.04 ± 1.60 ms) and unlabeled cells (17.06 ± 2.17 ms) (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS A multimodality reporter gene consisting of EGFP, luciferase2, and ferritin was successfully integrated into the HepG2 cell genome via a lentiviral vector and was highly expressed in the daughter cells. These cells could be detected by fluorescence, bioluminescence, and MRI in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Qin
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 East Changgang Road, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaojun Hu
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chun Wu
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Interventional Radiology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mingyue Cai
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Interventional Radiology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhengran Li
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Interventional Radiology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Liteng Lin
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China; Interventional Radiology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wensou Huang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 East Changgang Road, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 East Changgang Road, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China.
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Matteucci M, Casieri V, Gabisonia K, Aquaro GD, Agostini S, Pollio G, Diamanti D, Rossi M, Travagli M, Porcari V, Recchia FA, Lionetti V. Magnetic resonance imaging of infarct-induced canonical wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin/T-cell factor pathway activation, in vivo. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 112:645-655. [PMID: 27671803 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of molecular and morpho-functional changes might prove highly valuable for the elucidation of pathological processes involved in the development of cardiac diseases. Our aim was to test a novel MRI reporter gene for in vivo assessment of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin/TCF pathway activation, an important regulator of post-ischaemic cardiac remodelling. METHODS AND RESULTS We designed and developed a chimeric construct encoding for both of iron-binding human ferritin heavy chain (hFTH) controlled by the β-catenin-responsive TCF/lymphoid-enhancer binding factor (Lef) promoter and constitutively expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP). It was carried by adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (rAAV9) vectors and delivered to the peri-infarct myocardium of rats subjected to coronary ligation (n = 11). By 1.5 T MRI and a multiecho T2* gradient echo sequence, we detected iron accumulation only in the border zone of the transduced infarcted hearts. In the same cardiac area, post-mortem histological analysis confirmed the co-existence of iron accumulation and GFP. The iron signal was absent when rats (n = 6) were chronically treated with SEN195 (10 mg/kg/day), a small-molecular inhibitor of β-catenin/TCF-dependent gene transcription. Canonical Wnt pathway inhibition attenuated the post-ischaemic remodelling process, as demonstrated by the significant preservation of cardiac function, the 42 ± 1% increase of peri-infarct arteriolar density and 43 ± 3% reduction in infarct scar size compared with untreated animals. CONCLUSIONS The TCF/Lef promoter-hFTH construct is a novel and reliable MRI reporter gene for in vivo detection of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin/TCF activation state in response to cardiac injury and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Matteucci
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Casieri
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Khatia Gabisonia
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Agostini
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Marco Rossi
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio A Recchia
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.,Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 19140 Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy .,Fondazione Toscana 'G. Monasterio', 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Overexpression of the MRI Reporter Genes Ferritin and Transferrin Receptor Affect Iron Homeostasis and Produce Limited Contrast in Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:15481-96. [PMID: 26184159 PMCID: PMC4519909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160715481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Imaging technologies that allow the non-invasive monitoring of stem cells in vivo play a vital role in cell-based regenerative therapies. Recently, much interest has been generated in reporter genes that enable simultaneous monitoring of the anatomical location and viability of cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, we investigate the efficacy of ferritin heavy chain-1 (Fth1) and transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as reporters for tracking mesenchymal stem cells. The overexpression of TfR1 was well tolerated by the cells but Fth1 was found to affect the cell’s iron homeostasis, leading to phenotypic changes in the absence of iron supplementation and an upregulation in transcript and protein levels of the cell’s endogenous transferrin receptor. Neither the sole overexpression of Fth1 nor TfR1 resulted in significant increases in intracellular iron content, although significant differences were seen when the two reporter genes were used in combination, in the presence of high concentrations of iron. The supplementation of the culture medium with iron sources was a more efficient means to obtain contrast than the use of reporter genes, where high levels of intracellular iron were reflected in transverse (T2) relaxation. The feasibility of imaging iron-supplemented cells by MRI is shown using a 3R-compliant chick embryo model.
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Vande Velde G, Himmelreich U, Neeman M. Reporter gene approaches for mapping cell fate decisions by MRI: promises and pitfalls. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 8:424-31. [PMID: 24375898 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology, namely the process by which information encoded in the DNA serves as the template for transcriptional activation of specific mRNA resulting in temporal and spatial control of the translation of specific proteins, stands at the basis of normal and pathological cellular processes. Serving as the primary mechanism linking genotype to phenotype, it is clearly of significant interest for in vivo imaging. While classically, imaging revolutionized the ability to phenotype the anatomical and physiological impact of induction of changes in gene expression, the preceding molecular events remained invisible. Reporter gene-based imaging techniques provide a window for in vivo visualization of such transcriptional activation events. In addition to the widespread use of fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter genes and development of a number of reporter genes for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, there has been significant progress in the development of reporter genes for MRI. With the development of strategies for cellular based therapies, such imaging tools could become central components for personalized patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI, KU Leuven, O&N I Herestraat 49 - box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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10
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Forbes SC, Bish LT, Ye F, Spinazzola J, Baligand C, Plant D, Vandenborne K, Barton ER, Sweeney HL, Walter GA. Gene transfer of arginine kinase to skeletal muscle using adeno-associated virus. Gene Ther 2014; 21:387-92. [PMID: 24572791 PMCID: PMC3975678 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we tested the feasibility of non-invasively measuring phosphoarginine (PArg) after gene delivery of arginine kinase (AK) using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to murine hindlimbs. This was achieved by evaluating the time course, regional distribution and metabolic flux of PArg using (31)phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS). AK gene was injected into the gastrocnemius of the left hindlimb of C57Bl10 mice (age 5 weeks, male) using self-complementary AAV, type 2/8 with desmin promoter. Non-localized (31)P-MRS data were acquired over 9 months after injection using 11.1-T and 17.6-T Bruker Avance spectrometers. In addition, (31)P two-dimensional chemical shift imaging and saturation transfer experiments were performed to examine the spatial distribution and metabolic flux of PArg, respectively. PArg was evident in each injected mouse hindlimb after gene delivery, increased until 28 weeks, and remained elevated for at least 9 months (P<0.05). Furthermore, PArg was primarily localized to the injected posterior hindimb region and the metabolite was in exchange with ATP. Overall, the results show the viability of AAV gene transfer of AK gene to skeletal muscle, and provide support of PArg as a reporter that can be used to non-invasively monitor the transduction of genes for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. Forbes
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Lawrence T. Bish
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Fan Ye
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Janelle Spinazzola
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Celine Baligand
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daniel Plant
- Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Facility, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | | | - Elisabeth R. Barton
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - H. Lee Sweeney
- Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Glenn A. Walter
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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