1
|
Dan Q, Jiang X, Wang R, Dai Z, Sun D. Biogenic Imaging Contrast Agents. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207090. [PMID: 37401173 PMCID: PMC10477908 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Imaging contrast agents are widely investigated in preclinical and clinical studies, among which biogenic imaging contrast agents (BICAs) are developing rapidly and playing an increasingly important role in biomedical research ranging from subcellular level to individual level. The unique properties of BICAs, including expression by cells as reporters and specific genetic modification, facilitate various in vitro and in vivo studies, such as quantification of gene expression, observation of protein interactions, visualization of cellular proliferation, monitoring of metabolism, and detection of dysfunctions. Furthermore, in human body, BICAs are remarkably helpful for disease diagnosis when the dysregulation of these agents occurs and can be detected through imaging techniques. There are various BICAs matched with a set of imaging techniques, including fluorescent proteins for fluorescence imaging, gas vesicles for ultrasound imaging, and ferritin for magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, bimodal and multimodal imaging can be realized through combining the functions of different BICAs, which helps overcome the limitations of monomodal imaging. In this review, the focus is on the properties, mechanisms, applications, and future directions of BICAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Dan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication SafetyDepartment of UltrasoundInstitute of Ultrasonic MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen Peking University‐The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical CenterShenzhen518036P. R. China
| | - Xinpeng Jiang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Future TechnologyPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Run Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication SafetyDepartment of UltrasoundInstitute of Ultrasonic MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen Peking University‐The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical CenterShenzhen518036P. R. China
| | - Zhifei Dai
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCollege of Future TechnologyPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
| | - Desheng Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Drug Addiction and Medication SafetyDepartment of UltrasoundInstitute of Ultrasonic MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen Peking University‐The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical CenterShenzhen518036P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang YC, Wang JW, Wu Y, Tao Q, Wang FF, Wang N, Ji XR, Li YG, Yu S, Zhang JZ. Multimodal Magnetic Resonance and Fluorescence Imaging of the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Transplantation in the Brain. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322030153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The understanding of the engrafted cell behaviors such as the survival, growth and distribution is the prerequisite to optimize cell therapy, and a multimodal imaging at both anatomical and molecular levels is designed to achieve this goal. We constructed a lentiviral vector carrying genes of ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (egfp), and established the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) culture stably expressing these three reporter genes. These iPSCs showed green and near-infrared fluorescence as well as the iron uptake capacity in vitro. After transplanted the labeled iPSCs into the rat brain, the engrafted cells could be in vivo imaged using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared fluorescent imaging (NIF) up to 60 days at the anatomical level. Moreover, these cells could be detected using EGFP immunostaining and Prussian blue stain at the cellular level. The developed approach provides a novel tool to study behaviors of the transplanted cells in a multimodal way, which will be valuable for the effectiveness and safety evaluation of cell therapy.
Collapse
|
3
|
Ebrahimpour A, Tirgar F, Hajipour-Verdom B, Abbasi A, Hadjighassem M, Abdolmaleki P, Hosseindoost S, Javadi SAH, Hashemi H, Foroushani AR, Alam NR, Khoobi M. Detection of glioblastoma multiforme using quantitative molecular magnetic resonance imaging based on 5-aminolevulinic acid: in vitro and in vivo studies. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 35:3-15. [PMID: 34878619 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-021-00978-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We demonstrated a novel metabolic method based on sequential administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and iron supplement, and ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) detection using R2' and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Intra-cellular iron accumulation in glioblastoma cells treated with ALA and/or FAC was measured. Cell phantoms containing glioblastoma cells and Wistar rats bearing C6 glioblastoma were imaged using a 3 T MRI scanner after sequential administration of ALA and FAC. The relaxivity and QSM analysis were performed on the images. RESULTS The intra-cellular iron deposition was significantly higher in the glioma cells with sequential treatment of ALA and FAC for 6 h compared to those treated with the controls. The relaxivity and magnetic susceptibility values of the glioblastoma cells and rat brain tumors treated with ALA + FAC (115 ± 5 s-1 for R2', and 0.1 ± 0.02 ppm for magnetic susceptibility) were significantly higher than those treated with the controls (55 ± 18 (FAC), 45 ± 15 (ALA) s-1 for R2', p < 0.05, and 0.03 ± 0.03 (FAC), 0.02 ± 0.02 (ALA) ppm for magnetic susceptibility, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION Sequential administration of ALA and iron supplements increases the iron deposition in glioblastoma cells, enabling clinical 3 T MRI to detect GBM using R2' or QSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Ebrahimpour
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tirgar
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnam Hajipour-Verdom
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ardeshir Abbasi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoudreza Hadjighassem
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Abdolmaleki
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saereh Hosseindoost
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Hossein Javadi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Hashemi
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Rahimi Foroushani
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nader Riyahi Alam
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Concordia University, PERFORM Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Mehdi Khoobi
- Biomaterials Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu T, Li Z, Li X, Zhao R, Wei X, Wang Z, Xin SX. In vivo visualization of murine melanoma cells B16-derived exosomes through magnetic resonance imaging. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130062. [PMID: 34822924 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.130062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies demonstrated that exosomes play a powerful role in mediating intercellular communication to induce a pro-tumoral environment to promote tumor progression, including pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis. Noninvasive imaging could determine the in vivo kinetics of exosomes in real time to provide better understanding of the mechanisms of the tumor formation, progression and metastasis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an ideal technique which provides excellent anatomical resolution, intrinsic soft tissue contrast, unlimited penetration depth and no radiation exposure. METHODS A fusion protein composed of ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) and lactadherin was designed for visualizing exosomes through MRI. FTH1 was served as MRI reporter protein and lactadherin is a membrane-associated protein that is distributed on exosome surface. The characterizations of labeled exosomes were validated through transmission electron microscopy, western blot, nanoparticle tracking analysis and finally visualized in vitro and in vivo through MRI. RESULTS MR imaging showed that the labeled exosomes are able to be visualized in vitro and in vivo. Verification of the characterizations of exosomes observed no significant difference between labeled and unlabeled exosomes. CONCLUSION The proposed FTH1 labeling method was useful for visualizing exosomes through MRI. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The present study first reported a novel self-label method for imaging labeled exosomes of tumor cells in vivo through MR with cell endogenous MRI reporter protein. It may be further used as a tool to enhance understanding the role of exosomes in various pathophysiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenlin Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruiting Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinhua Wei
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510180, Guangdong, China
| | - Zixin Wang
- School of Electronics and Information Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road 135, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China
| | - Sherman Xuegang Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu T, Zhu Y, Zhao R, Wei X, Xin X. Visualization of exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging. Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 68:75-82. [PMID: 32027941 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We develop a method of imaging exosomes in vivo according to the vital role of exosomes in intercellular communication. This study aims to design a new label method that allows the visualization of labeled exosomes with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS We designed a fusion protein consisting of two parts, namely, ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) and a truncated lactadherin. FTH1 is used as an MRI reporter. Lactadherin is a trans-membrane protein. The lactadherin protein are mostly located on the outer surface of exosomes. We replaced the outer membrane part of lactadherin with FTH1, infected mesenchymal stem cells with lentivirus carrying the fusion protein, and isolated exosomes from the labeled cells by ultracentrifugation. Labeled exosomes were validated by transmission electron microscopy images, Western blot, nanosight particle tracking, and visualized in vitro and in vivo by MRI. RESULTS FTH1 expression would suppress mesenchymal stem cell proliferation, whereas the characterization of labeled exosomes remains comparable with unlabeled exosomes. MR imaging shows that exosomes labeled with FTH1 can be visualized in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION This innovative reporter-imaging approach to track and visualize exosomes with MRI can be utilized as a tool for the study of the role of exosomes under different conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Yurong Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruiting Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinhua Wei
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510180, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuegang Xin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong, China; School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zheng N, Su P, Liu Y, Wang H, Nie B, Fang X, Xu Y, Lin K, Lv P, He X, Guo Y, Shan B, Manyande A, Wang J, Xu F. Detection of neural connections with ex vivo MRI using a ferritin-encoding trans-synaptic virus. Neuroimage 2019; 197:133-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
|
8
|
The Continuing Evolution of Molecular Functional Imaging in Clinical Oncology: The Road to Precision Medicine and Radiogenomics (Part II). Mol Diagn Ther 2019; 23:27-51. [PMID: 30387041 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-018-0367-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The present era of precision medicine sees "cancer" as a consequence of molecular derangements occurring at the commencement of the disease process, with morphological changes happening much later in the process of tumourigenesis. Conventional imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play an integral role in the detection of disease at the macroscopic level. However, molecular functional imaging (MFI) techniques entail the visualisation and quantification of biochemical and physiological processes occurring during tumourigenesis. MFI has the potential to play a key role in heralding the transition from the concept of "one-size-fits-all" treatment to "precision medicine". Integration of MFI with other fields of tumour biology such as genomics has spawned a novel concept called "radiogenomics", which could serve as an indispensable tool in translational cancer research. With recent advances in medical image processing, such as texture analysis, deep learning and artificial intelligence, the future seems promising; however, their clinical utility remains unproven at present. Despite the emergence of novel imaging biomarkers, the majority of these require validation before clinical translation is possible. In this two part review, we discuss the systematic collaboration across structural, anatomical and molecular imaging techniques that constitute MFI. Part I reviews positron emission tomography, radiogenomics, AI, and optical imaging, while part II reviews MRI, CT and ultrasound, their current status, and recent advances in the field of precision oncology.
Collapse
|
9
|
Guo R, Li Q, Yang F, Hu X, Jiao J, Guo Y, Wang J, Zhang Y. In Vivo MR Imaging of Dual MRI Reporter Genes and Deltex-1 Gene-modified Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Closed Penile Fracture. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:417-427. [PMID: 28971290 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-017-1128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of dual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter genes, including ferritin heavy subunit (Fth) and transferrin receptor (TfR), which provide sufficient MRI contrast for in vivo MRI tracking, and the Deltex-1 (DTX1) gene, which promotes human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation to smooth muscle cells (SMCs), to treat closed penile fracture (CPF). METHODS Multi-gene co-expressing hMSCs were generated. The expression of mRNA and proteins was assessed, and the original biological properties of hMSCs were determined and compared. The intracellular uptake of iron was evaluated, and the ability to differentiate into SMCs was detected. Fifty rabbits with CPF were randomly transplanted with PBS, hMSCs, Fth-TfR-hMSCs, DTX1-hMSCs, and Fth-TfR-DTX1-hMSCs. In vivo MRI was performed to detect the distribution and migration of the grafted cells and healing progress of CPF, and the results were correlated with histology. RESULTS The mRNA and proteins of the multi-gene were highly expressed. The transgenes could not influence the original biological properties of hMSCs. The dual MRI reporter genes increased the iron accumulation capacity, and the DTX1 gene promoted hMSC differentiation into SMCs. The distribution and migration of the dual MRI reporter gene-modified hMSCs, and the healing state of CPF could be obviously detected by MRI and confirmed by histology. CONCLUSION The dual MRI reporter genes could provide sufficient MRI contrast, and the distribution and migration of MSCs could be detected in vivo. The DTX1 gene can promote MSC differentiation into SMCs for the treatment of CPF and effectively inhibit granulation tissue formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruomi Guo
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingling Li
- Department of VIP Medical Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Hu
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ju Jiao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of VIP Medical Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Quantifying iron content in magnetic resonance imaging. Neuroimage 2018; 187:77-92. [PMID: 29702183 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Measuring iron content has practical clinical indications in the study of diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ferritinopathies and multiple sclerosis as well as in the quantification of iron content in microbleeds and oxygen saturation in veins. In this work, we review the basic concepts behind imaging iron using T2, T2*, T2', phase and quantitative susceptibility mapping in the human brain, liver and heart, followed by the applications of in vivo iron quantification in neurodegenerative diseases, iron tagged cells and ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles.
Collapse
|
11
|
Li M, Wang Y, Liu M, Lan X. Multimodality reporter gene imaging: Construction strategies and application. Theranostics 2018; 8:2954-2973. [PMID: 29896296 PMCID: PMC5996353 DOI: 10.7150/thno.24108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging has played an important role in the noninvasive exploration of multiple biological processes. Reporter gene imaging is a key part of molecular imaging. By combining with a reporter probe, a reporter protein can induce the accumulation of specific signals that are detectable by an imaging device to provide indirect information of reporter gene expression in living subjects. There are many types of reporter genes and each corresponding imaging technique has its own advantages and drawbacks. Fused reporter genes or single reporter genes with products detectable by multiple imaging modalities can compensate for the disadvantages and potentiate the advantages of each modality. Reporter gene multimodality imaging could be applied to trace implanted cells, monitor gene therapy, assess endogenous molecular events, screen drugs, etc. Although several types of multimodality imaging apparatus and multimodality reporter genes are available, more sophisticated detectors and multimodality reporter gene systems are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
He X, Cai J, Li H, Liu B, Qin Y, Zhong Y, Wang L, Liao Y. In Vivo magnetic resonance imaging of xenografted tumors using FTH1 reporter gene expression controlled by a tet-on switch. Oncotarget 2018; 7:78591-78604. [PMID: 27732930 PMCID: PMC5346662 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
As a promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter, ferritin has been used to track cells in vivo; however, its continuous overexpression can be cytotoxic, which restricts its application. In this study, we aimed to develop a switch to turn this genetic reporter “on” or “off” while monitoring cell grafts via MRI. To accomplish this, we genetically modified the ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) with a Tet-On switch and assessed the expression of FTH1 in transduced neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH) in vitro and in xenografted tumors in vivo. We found that FTH1 expression induced by doxycycline (Dox) in SK-N-SH-FTH1 cells depended on treatment dose and duration. We successfully detected T2-weighted MRI contrast in cell grafts after switching “on” the reporter gene using Dox, and this contrast disappeared when we switched it “off”. The genetic reporter FTH1 can thus be switched “on” or “off” throughout longitudinal monitoring of cell grafts, limiting expression to when MRI contrast is needed. The controllable imaging system we have developed minimizes risks from constitutive reporter gene overexpression and facilitates tumor cell monitoring in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya He
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinhua Cai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Longlun Wang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Yifan Liao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cao M, Mao J, Duan X, Lu L, Zhang F, Lin B, Chen M, Zheng C, Zhang X, Shen J. In vivo tracking of the tropism of mesenchymal stem cells to malignant gliomas using reporter gene-based MR imaging. Int J Cancer 2017; 142:1033-1046. [PMID: 29047121 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising cellular vehicle for gene therapy of malignant gliomas due to their property of tumor tropism. However, MSCs may show bidirectional and divergent effects on tumor growth. Therefore, a robust surveillance system with a capacity for noninvasive monitoring of the homing, distribution and fate of stem cells in vivo is highly desired for developing stem cell-based gene therapies for tumors. In this study, we used ferritin gene-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track the tumor tropism of MSCs in a rat orthotopic xenograft model of malignant glioma. MSCs were transduced with lentiviral vectors expressing ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Intra-arterial, intravenous and intertumoral injections of these FTH transgenic MSCs (FTH-MSCs) were performed in rats bearing intracranial orthotopic C6 gliomas. The FTH-MSCs were detected as hypointense signals on T2- and T2*-weighted images on a 3.0 T clinical MRI. After intra-arterial injection, 17% of FTH-MSCs migrated toward the tumor and gradually diffused throughout the orthotopic glioma. This dynamic process could be tracked in vivo by MRI up to 10 days of follow-up, as confirmed by histology. Moreover, the tumor tropism of MSCs showed no appreciable impact on the progression of the tumor. These results suggest that FTH reporter gene-based MRI can be used to reliably track the tropism and fate of MSCs after their systemic transplantation in orthotopic gliomas. This real-time in vivo tracking system will facilitate the future development of stem cell-based therapies for malignant gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Cao
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Jiaji Mao
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Xiaohui Duan
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Liejing Lu
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Bingling Lin
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Meiwei Chen
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Chushan Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jiang C, Wu D, Haacke EM. Ferritin-EGFP Chimera as an Endogenous Dual-Reporter for Both Fluorescence and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Human Glioma U251 Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 3:1-8. [PMID: 30042970 PMCID: PMC6024424 DOI: 10.18383/j.tom.2015.00181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A unique hybrid protein ferritin–enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was built to serve as an endogenous dual reporter for both fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It consists of a human ferritin heavy chain (an iron-storage protein) at the N terminus, a flexible polypeptide in the middle as a linker, and an EGFP at the C terminus. Through antibiotic screening, we established stable human glioma U251 cell strains that expressed ferritin–EGFP under the control of tetracycline. These cells emitted bright green fluorescence and were easily detected by a fluorescent microscope. Ferritin–EGFP overexpression proved effective in triggering obvious intracellular iron accumulation as shown by Prussian blue staining and by MRI. Further, we found that ferritin–EGFP overexpression did not cause proliferation differences between experimental and control group cells when ferritin–EGFP was expressed for <96 hours. Application of this novel ferritin–EGFP chimera has a promising future for combined optical and MRI approaches to study in vivo imaging at a cellular level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caihong Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China and
| | - Dongmei Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China and
| | - E Mark Haacke
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China and.,Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Genetically encoded iron-associated proteins as MRI reporters for molecular and cellular imaging. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 10. [DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
16
|
Cheng S, Mi R, Xu Y, Jin G, Zhang J, Zhou Y, Chen Z, Liu F. Ferritin heavy chain as a molecular imaging reporter gene in glioma xenografts. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2017; 143:941-951. [PMID: 28247036 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-017-2356-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The development of glioma therapy in clinical practice (e.g., gene therapy) calls for efficiently visualizing and tracking glioma cells in vivo. Human ferritin heavy chain is a novel gene reporter in magnetic resonance imaging. This study proposes hFTH as a reporter gene for MR molecular imaging in glioma xenografts. METHODS Rat C6 glioma cells were infected by packaged lentivirus carrying hFTH and EGFP genes and obtained by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The iron-loaded ability was analyzed by the total iron reagent kit. Glioma nude mouse models were established subcutaneously and intracranially. Then, in vivo tumor bioluminescence was performed via the IVIS spectrum imaging system. The MR imaging analysis was analyzed on a 7T animal MRI scanner. Finally, the expression of hFTH was analyzed by western blotting and histological analysis. RESULTS Stable glioma cells carrying hFTH and EGFP reporter genes were successfully obtained. The intracellular iron concentration was increased without impairing the cell proliferation rate. Glioma cells overexpressing hFTH showed significantly decreased signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI both in vitro and in vivo. EGFP fluorescent imaging could also be detected in the subcutaneous and intracranial glioma xenografts. Moreover, the expression of the transferritin receptor was significantly increased in glioma cells carrying the hFTH reporter gene. CONCLUSION Our study illustrated that hFTH generated cellular MR imaging contrast efficiently in glioma via regulating the expression of transferritin receptor. This might be a useful reporter gene in cell tracking and MR molecular imaging for glioma diagnosis, gene therapy and tumor metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sen Cheng
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruifang Mi
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Xu
- Radiology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 5 Hai Yun Cang, Dong Cheng District, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China
| | - Guishan Jin
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Junwen Zhang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqiang Zhou
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengguang Chen
- Radiology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 5 Hai Yun Cang, Dong Cheng District, Beijing, 100700, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fusheng Liu
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, Tiantan Xili 6, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dai HY, He R, Zhang Y, Wu RH, Xiao YY. Adenoviral vector mediated ferritin over-expression in mesenchymal stem cells detected by 7T MRI in vitro. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185260. [PMID: 28945778 PMCID: PMC5612726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present work was to verify whether adenoviral vector mediated ferritin over-expression in mesenchymal stem cells could be detected by 7T MRI device, and to explore the relationship between ferritin content and MRI signal intensities. METHODS A recombined adenoviral vector (rAdV) encoding ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) subunit was specially designed for the aim of infecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Ferritin over-expression in BMSCs was determined by cell immunocytochemistry and the ferritin content in cells was determined by ELISA assay. BMSCs were subjected to cell viability, proliferation and multi-differentiation analyses as well as 7T MRI test using fast spin-echo pulse sequence. The R2 value andδR2 were calculated according to T2 mapping images. RESULTS As was confirmed by cell immunocytochemistry and ELISA assay, rAdV mediated ferritin was over-expressed in BMSCs. Ferritin over-expression did not interfere with stem cell viability or pluripotent differentiation but slowed cell proliferation. The R2 value of BMSCs-FTH1 vs control BMSCs from 1-4 weeks was16.65±1.28 s-1 vs 13.99±0.80 s-1, (t = 3.94, p = 0.004), 15.63±1.37 s-1 vs 13.87±0.83 s-1 (t = 2.47, p = 0.039), 15.53±0.88 s-1 vs 14.25±0.53 s-1 (t = 2.80, p = 0.023) and 14.61±1.28 s-1 vs 13.69±1.03 s-1 (t = 1.25, p = 0.24), respectively. δR2 gradually decreased from 1-4 weeks and the difference between the groups had statistical significance (F = 12.45, p<0.01).δR2 was positively correlated with OD value (r = 0.876, p<0.01) and ferritin concentration (r = 0.899, p<0.01) as determined by Pearson correlation. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms that ferritin could be over-expressed in BMSCs as a result of rAdV mediated infection and could be quantitatively detected by 7T MRI device. The differences in T2 signal intensities and R2 values stem from internal contrast generated by endogenous ferritin over-expression. The correlation between δR2, OD and ferritin concentration suggests that MRI can detect ferritin signal change accurately.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-yang Dai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, China
| | - Rong He
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ren-hua Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ye-yu Xiao
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
MRI Reporter Genes for Noninvasive Molecular Imaging. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21050580. [PMID: 27213309 PMCID: PMC6273230 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important imaging technologies used in clinical diagnosis. Reporter genes for MRI can be applied to accurately track the delivery of cell in cell therapy, evaluate the therapy effect of gene delivery, and monitor tissue/cell-specific microenvironments. Commonly used reporter genes for MRI usually include genes encoding the enzyme (e.g., tyrosinase and β-galactosidase), the receptor on the cells (e.g., transferrin receptor), and endogenous reporter genes (e.g., ferritin reporter gene). However, low sensitivity limits the application of MRI and reporter gene-based multimodal imaging strategies are common including optical imaging and radionuclide imaging. These can significantly improve diagnostic efficiency and accelerate the development of new therapies.
Collapse
|
20
|
Rossi M, Massai L, Diamanti D, Fiengo P, De Rosa A, Magrini R, Magnoni L, Chellini S, Coniglio S, Diodato E, Pilli E, Caradonna NP, Sardone G, Monti M, Roggeri R, Lionetti V, Recchia F, Tunici P, Valensin S, Scali C, Pollio G, Porcari V. Multimodal molecular imaging system for pathway-specific reporter gene expression. Eur J Pharm Sci 2016; 86:136-42. [PMID: 26987608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical imaging modalities represent an essential tool to develop a modern and translational biomedical research. To date, Optical Imaging (OI) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used principally in separate studies for molecular imaging studies. We decided to combine OI and MRI together through the development of a lentiviral vector to monitor the Wnt pathway response to Lithium Chloride (LiCl) treatment. The construct was stably infected in glioblastoma cells and, after intracranial transplantation in mice, serial MRI and OI imaging sessions were performed to detect human ferritin heavy chain protein (hFTH) and firefly luciferase enzyme (FLuc) respectively. The system allowed also ex vivo analysis using a constitutive fluorescence protein expression. In mice, LiCl administration has shown significantly increment of luminescence signal and a lower signal of T2 values (P<0.05), recorded noninvasively with OI and a 7 Tesla MRI scanner. This study indicates that OI and MRI can be performed in a single in vivo experiment, providing an in vivo proof-of-concept for drug discovery projects in preclinical phase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rossi
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy.
| | - Luisa Massai
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara Chellini
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Elena Pilli
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Recchia
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla Scali
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yang Y, Gong MF, Yang H, Zhang S, Wang GX, Su TS, Wen L, Zhang D. MR molecular imaging of tumours using ferritin heavy chain reporter gene expression mediated by the hTERT promoter. Eur Radiol 2016; 26:4089-4097. [PMID: 26960542 PMCID: PMC5052315 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-016-4259-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 12/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Using the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter and the modified ferritin heavy chain (Fth) reporter gene, reporter gene expression for MRI was examined in telomerase positive and negative tumour cells and xenografts. Methods Activity of the reporter gene expression vector Lenti-hTERT-Fth1-3FLAG-Puro was compared to constitutive CMV-driven expression and to the untransfected parental control in five tumour cell lines: A549, SKOV3, 293T, U2OS and HPDLF. In vitro, transfected cells were evaluated for FLAG-tagged protein expression, iron accumulation and transverse relaxation. In vivo, tumours transduced by lentiviral vector injection were imaged using T2*WI. Changes in tumour signal intensity were validated by histology. Results Only telomerase positive tumour cells expressed FLAG-tagged Fth and displayed an increase in R2* above the parental control, with a corresponding change in T2*WI. In addition, only telomerase positive tumours, transduced by injection of the reporter gene expression construct, exhibited a change in signal intensity on T2*WI. Tumour histology verified the expression of FLAG-tagged Fth and iron accumulation in telomerase positive tissue. Conclusion Reporter gene expression for MRI, using the Fth reporter and the hTERT promoter, may be a useful strategy for the non-invasive diagnosis of many types of cancer. Key points • Modified heavy chain of ferritin can serve as an MR reporter gene • hTERT promoter can direct the expression of reporter gene in cancer cells • MR reporter imaging mediated by hTERT promoter can be used for cancer diagnosis
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of ChengDu Medical College, ChengDu, 610500, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming-Fu Gong
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Zhang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Xian Wang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong-Sheng Su
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, XinQiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, ChongQing, 400037, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pereira SM, Herrmann A, Moss D, Poptani H, Williams SR, Murray P, Taylor A. Evaluating the effectiveness of transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as a magnetic resonance reporter gene. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2016; 11:236-44. [PMID: 26929139 PMCID: PMC4981909 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) reporter genes have the potential for tracking the biodistribution and fate of cells in vivo, thus allowing the safety, efficacy and mechanisms of action of cell-based therapies to be comprehensively assessed. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of the iron importer transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as an MR reporter gene in the model cell line CHO-K1. Overexpression of the TfR1 transgene led to a reduction in the levels of endogenous TfR1 mRNA, but to a 60-fold increase in total TfR1 protein levels. Although the mRNA levels of ferritin heavy chain-1 (Fth1) did not change, Fth1 protein levels increased 13-fold. The concentration of intracellular iron increased significantly, even when cells were cultured in medium that was not supplemented with iron and the amount of iron in the extracellular environment was thus at physiological levels. However, we found that, by supplementing the cell culture medium with ferric citrate, a comparable degree of iron uptake and MR contrast could be achieved in control cells that did not express the TfR1 transgene. Sufficient MR contrast to enable the cells to be detected in vivo following their administration into the midbrain of chick embryos was obtained irrespective of the reporter gene. We conclude that TfR1 is not an effective reporter and that, to track the biodistribution of cells with MR imaging in the short term, it is sufficient to simply culture cells in the presence of ferric citrate. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia M Pereira
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anne Herrmann
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Diana Moss
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Harish Poptani
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Steve R Williams
- Centre for Imaging Sciences, Oxford Road, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Patricia Murray
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Arthur Taylor
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Dual-reporter Imaging and its Potential Application in Tracking Studies. J Fluoresc 2015; 26:75-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s10895-015-1673-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
24
|
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.
Collapse
|
25
|
Kim HS, Woo J, Lee JH, Joo HJ, Choi Y, Kim H, Moon WK, Kim SJ. In vivo Tracking of Dendritic Cell using MRI Reporter Gene, Ferritin. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125291. [PMID: 25993535 PMCID: PMC4439152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The noninvasive imaging of dendritic cells (DCs) migrated into lymph nodes (LNs) can provide helpful information on designing DCs-based immunotherapeutic strategies. This study is to investigate the influence of transduction of human ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and green fluorescence protein (GFP) genes on inherent properties of DCs, and the feasibility of FTH as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter gene to track DCs migration into LNs. FTH-DCs were established by the introduction of FTH and GFP genes into the DC cell line (DC2.4) using lentivirus. The changes in the rate of MRI signal decay (R2*) resulting from FTH transduction were analyzed in cell phantoms as well as popliteal LN of mice after subcutaneous injection of those cells into hind limb foot pad by using a multiple gradient echo sequence on a 9.4 T MR scanner. The transduction of FTH and GFP did not influence the proliferation and migration abilities of DCs. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80 and CD86) in FTH-DCs was similar to that of DCs. FTH-DCs exhibited increased iron storage capacity, and displayed a significantly higher transverse relaxation rate (R2*) as compared to DCs in phantom. LNs with FTH-DCs exhibited negative contrast, leading to a high R2* in both in vivo and ex vivo T2*-weighted images compared to DCs. On histological analysis FTH-DCs migrated to the subcapsular sinus and the T cell zone of LN, where they highly expressed CD25 to bind and stimulate T cells. Our study addresses the feasibility of FTH as an MRI reporter gene to track DCs migration into LNs without alteration of their inherent properties. This study suggests that FTH-based MRI could be a useful technique to longitudinally monitor DCs and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of DC-based vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoe Suk Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jisu Woo
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Joo
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - YoonSeok Choi
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeonjin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Kyung Moon
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
- * E-mail: (WKM); (SJK)
| | - Seung Ja Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University, Boramae Medical Center, 20 Boramae-ro, Dongjag-gu, Seoul, Korea
- * E-mail: (WKM); (SJK)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bar-Shir A, Bulte JWM, Gilad AA. Molecular engineering of nonmetallic biosensors for CEST MRI. ACS Chem Biol 2015; 10:1160-70. [PMID: 25730583 PMCID: PMC11329289 DOI: 10.1021/cb500923v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent advancements in molecular and synthetic biology, combined with synthetic chemistry and biotechnology, have opened up new opportunities to engineer novel platforms that can monitor complex biological processes with various noninvasive imaging modalities. After decades of using gadolinium- or iron-based metallic sensors for MRI, the recently developed chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast mechanism has created an opportunity for rational design, in silico, of nonmetallic biosensors for MRI. These biomolecules are either naturally occurring compounds (amino acids, sugars, nucleosides, native proteins) or can be artificially engineered (synthetic probes or recombinant proteins). They can be administered either as exogenous agents or can be genetically (over)expressed. Moreover, they can be precisely engineered to achieve the desired biochemical properties for fine tuning optimized imaging schemes. The availability of these agents marks the dawn of a new scientific era for molecular and cellular MRI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amnon Bar-Shir
- †Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
- ‡Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- †Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
- ‡Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- §F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- #Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| | - Assaf A Gilad
- †Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
- ‡Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- §F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kim HS, Woo J, Choi Y, Hwang EH, Choi SK, Cho KW, Moon WK. Noninvasive MRI and multilineage differentiation capability of ferritin-transduced human mesenchymal stem cells. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2015; 28:168-179. [PMID: 25448225 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging can be a breakthrough tool for the investigation of the behavior and ultimate feasibility of transplanted human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) inside the body, and for the development of guidelines and recommendations based on the treatment and evaluation of stem cell therapy for patients. The goals of this study were to evaluate the multilineage differentiation ability of hMSCs expressing an MRI reporter, human ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and to investigate the feasibility of using FTH-based MRI to provide noninvasive imaging of transplanted hMSCs. The transduction of FTH and green fluorescence protein (GFP) did not influence the expression of the mesenchymal stem cell surface markers (CD29+/CD105+/CD34-/CD45-) or the self-renewal marker genes [octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4) and SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (Sox-2)], cell viability, migration ability and the release of cytokines [interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-10, IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. FTH-hMSCs retained the capacity to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, osteogenic and neurogenic lineages. The transduction of FTH led to a significant enhancement in cellular iron storage capacity and caused hypointensity and a significant increase in R2 * values of FTH-hMSC-collected phantoms and FTH-hMSC-transplanted sites of the brain, as shown by in vitro and in vivo MRI performed at 9.4 T, compared with control hMSCs. This study revealed no differences in biological characteristics between hMSCs and FTH-hMSCs and, therefore, these cells could be used for noninvasive monitoring with MRI during stem cell therapy for brain injury. Our study suggests the use of FTH for in vivo long-term tracking and ultimate fate of hMSCs without alteration of their characteristics and multidifferentiation potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoe Suk Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rohani R, Figueredo R, Bureau Y, Koropatnick J, Foster P, Thompson RT, Prato FS, Goldhawk DE. Imaging tumor growth non-invasively using expression of MagA or modified ferritin subunits to augment intracellular contrast for repetitive MRI. Mol Imaging Biol 2014; 16:63-73. [PMID: 23836502 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-013-0661-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The bacterial gene MagA imparts magnetic properties to mammalian cells and provides a basis for cell tracking by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In a mouse model of tumor growth from transplanted cells, we used repetitive MRI to demonstrate the in vivo imaging potential of MagA expression relative to a modified ferritin overexpression system, lacking regulation through iron response elements (HF + LF). PROCEDURES Subcutaneous tumor xenografts were monitored weekly from days 2 to 34 post-injection. Small animal MRI employed balanced steady-state free precession. Imaging was correlated with tumor histology using hematoxylin, Prussian Blue, Ki-67, and BS-1 lectin. RESULTS Tumor heterogeneity with respect to tissue morphology and magnetic resonance (MR) contrast was apparent within a week of cell transplantation. In MagA- and HF + LF-expressing tumors, MR contrast enhancement was recorded up to day 20 post-injection and 0.073-cm(3) tumor volumes. MagA-expressing tumors showed increases in both quantity and quality of MR contrast as measured by fractional void volume and contrast-to-noise ratio, respectively. MR contrast in both MagA- and HF + LF-expressing tumors was maximal by day 13, doubling fractional void volume 1 week ahead of controls. CONCLUSIONS MagA- and HF + LF-expressing tumor xenografts augment MR contrast after 1 week of growth. MagA expression increases MR contrast within days of cell transplantation and provides MR contrast comparable to HF + LF. MagA has utility for monitoring cell growth and differentiation, with potential for in vivo detection of reporter gene expression using MRI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roja Rohani
- Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI, KU Leuven, O&N I Herestraat 49 - box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Cho IK, Moran SP, Paudyal R, Piotrowska-Nitsche K, Cheng PH, Zhang X, Mao H, Chan AW. Longitudinal monitoring of stem cell grafts in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging with inducible maga as a genetic reporter. Am J Cancer Res 2014; 4:972-89. [PMID: 25161700 PMCID: PMC4143941 DOI: 10.7150/thno.9436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The ability to longitudinally monitor cell grafts and assess their condition is critical for the clinical translation of stem cell therapy in regenerative medicine. Developing an inducible genetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter will enable non-invasive and longitudinal monitoring of stem cell grafts in vivo. METHODS MagA, a bacterial gene involved in the formation of iron oxide nanocrystals, was genetically modified for in vivo monitoring of cell grafts by MRI. Inducible expression of MagA was regulated by a Tet-On (Tet) switch. A mouse embryonic stem cell-line carrying Tet-MagA (mESC-MagA) was established by lentivirus transduction. The impact of expressing MagA in mESCs was evaluated via proliferation assay, cytotoxicity assay, teratoma formation, MRI, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Mice were grafted with mESCs with and without MagA (mESC-MagA and mESC-WT). The condition of cell grafts with induced "ON" and non-induced "OFF" expression of MagA was longitudinally monitored in vivo using a 7T MRI scanner. After imaging, whole brain samples were harvested for histological assessment. RESULTS Expression of MagA in mESCs resulted in significant changes in the transverse relaxation rate (R2 or 1/T2) and susceptibility weighted MRI contrast. The pluripotency of mESCs carrying MagA was not affected in vitro or in vivo. Intracranial mESC-MagA grafts generated sufficient T2 and susceptibility weighted contrast at 7T. The mESC-MagA grafts can be monitored by MRI longitudinally upon induced expression of MagA by administering doxycycline (Dox) via diet. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate MagA could be used to monitor cell grafts noninvasively, longitudinally, and repetitively, enabling the assessment of cell graft conditions in vivo.
Collapse
|
31
|
Naumova AV, Balu N, Yarnykh VL, Reinecke H, Murry CE, Yuan C. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tracking of Graft Survival in the Infarcted Heart: Iron Oxide Particles Versus Ferritin Overexpression Approach. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2014; 19:358-367. [PMID: 24685664 DOI: 10.1177/1074248414525999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of cell therapy is the regeneration of damaged tissues. To distinguish graft from host tissue by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a paramagnetic label must be introduced to cells prior to transplantation. The paramagnetic label can be either exogenous iron oxide nanoparticles or a genetic overexpression of ferritin, an endogenous iron storage protein. The purpose of this work was to compare the efficacy of these 2 methods for MRI evaluation of engrafted cell survival in the infarcted mouse heart. Mouse skeletal myoblasts were labeled either by cocultivation with iron oxide particles or by engineering them to overexpress ferritin. Along with live cell transplantation, 2 other groups of mice were injected with dead-labeled cells. Both particle-labeled and ferritin-tagged grafts were detected as areas of MRI signal hypointensity in the left ventricle of the mouse heart using T2*-weighted sequences, although the signal attenuation decreased with ferritin tagging. Importantly, live cells could not be distinguished from dead cells when labeled with iron oxide particles, whereas the ferritin tagging was detected only in live grafts, thereby allowing identification of viable grafts using MRI. Thus, iron oxide particles can provide information about initial cell injection success but cannot assess graft viability. On the other hand, genetically based cell tagging, such as ferritin overexpression, despite having lower signal intensity in comparison with iron oxide particles, is able to identify live transplanted cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Naumova
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Niranjan Balu
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Vasily L Yarnykh
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hans Reinecke
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Charles E Murry
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chun Yuan
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purposes of this article are to summarize the basic concept and the strategies of reporter imaging; introduce reporter genes frequently used in optical imaging, nuclear medicine, and MRI for in vivo application; and show typical examples of reporter gene imaging. CONCLUSION In molecular biology, many reporter genes have been developed for monitoring cellular processes. Development of controlled gene delivery systems promotes construction of various types of reporter genes for monitoring the level of a gene expression, promoter activity, and protein-protein interaction. When an imaging reporter gene is placed under the control of a promoter, the amount of reporter protein can be dynamically visualized in vivo. Instrumental advances in molecular imaging have increased the sensitivity and resolution of in vivo reporter imaging. Though several types of reporters and multimodal imaging instruments are currently available, more efficient multimodal reporter gene systems and detectors compatible with several imaging modalities are needed.
Collapse
|
33
|
Vandsburger MH, Radoul M, Cohen B, Neeman M. MRI reporter genes: applications for imaging of cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2013; 26:872-84. [PMID: 23225197 PMCID: PMC3713407 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging strives to detect molecular events at the level of the whole organism. In some cases, the molecule of interest can be detected either directly or with targeted contrast media. However many genes and proteins and particularly those located in intracellular compartments are not accessible for targeted agents. The transcriptional regulation of these genes can nevertheless be detected, although indirectly, using reporter gene encoding for readily detectable proteins. Such reporter proteins can be expressed in the tissue of interest by genetically introducing the reporter gene in the target cells. Imaging of reporter genes has become a powerful tool in modern biomedical research. Typically, expression of fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins and the reaction product of expressed enzymes and exogenous substrates were examined using in vitro histological methods and in vivo whole body imaging methods. Recent advances in MRI reporter gene methods raised the possibility that MRI could become a powerful tool for concomitant high-resolution anatomical and functional imaging and for imaging of reporter gene activity. An immediate application of MRI reporter gene methods was by monitoring gene expression patterns in gene therapy and in vivo imaging of the survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of pluripotent and multipotent cells used in cell-based regenerative therapies for cancer, myocardial infarction and neural degeneration. In this review, we characterized a variety of MRI reporter gene methods based on their applicability to report cell survival/proliferation, migration and differentiation. In particular, we discussed which methods were best suited for translation to clinical use in regenerative therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Radoul
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science
| | - Batya Cohen
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Fan K, Gao L, Yan X. Human ferritin for tumor detection and therapy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 5:287-98. [PMID: 23606622 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Ferritin, a major iron storage protein found in most living organisms, is composed of a 24-subunit protein cage with a hollow interior cavity. Serum ferritin serves as a critical marker to detect total body iron status. However, recent research reveals a number of novel functions of ferritin besides iron storage; for example, a ferritin receptor, transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), has been identified and serum ferritin levels are found to be elevated in tumors. A particular new finding is that magnetoferritin nanoparticles, biomimetically synthesized using H-chain ferritin to form a 24-subunit cage with an iron oxide core, possess intrinsic dual functionality, the protein shell specifically targeting tumors and the iron oxide core catalyzing peroxidase substrates to produce a color reaction allowing visualization of tumor tissues. Here we attempt to summarize current research on ferritin, particularly newly identified functions related to tumors, in order to address current challenges and highlight future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelong Fan
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, CAS-University of Tokyo Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Noninvasive identification of viable cell populations in docetaxel-treated breast tumors using ferritin-based magnetic resonance imaging. PLoS One 2013; 8:e52931. [PMID: 23301003 PMCID: PMC3534651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic and are responsible for tumor progression and chemoresistance. Noninvasive imaging methods for the visualization of CSC populations within tumors in vivo will have a considerable impact on the development of new CSC-targeting therapeutics. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, human breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) transduced with dual reporter genes (human ferritin heavy chain [FTH] and enhanced green fluorescence protein [EGFP]) were transplanted into NOD/SCID mice to allow noninvasive tracking of BCSC-derived populations. No changes in the properties of the BCSCs were observed due to ferritin overexpression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed significantly different signal intensities (R2* values) between BCSCs and FTH-BCSCs in vitro and in vivo. In addition, distinct populations of pixels with high R2* values were detected in docetaxel-treated FTH-BCSC tumors compared with control tumors, even before the tumor sizes changed. Histological analysis revealed that areas showing high R2* values in docetaxel-treated FTH-BCSC tumors by MRI contained EGFP+/FTH+ viable cell populations with high percentages of CD44+/CD24− cells. Conclusions/Significance These findings suggest that ferritin-based MRI, which provides high spatial resolution and tissue contrast, can be used as a reliable method to identify viable cell populations derived from BCSCs after chemotherapy and may serve as a new tool to monitor the efficacy of CSC-targeting therapies in vivo.
Collapse
|
36
|
Naumova AV, Yarnykh VL, Balu N, Reinecke H, Murry CE, Yuan C. Quantification of MRI signal of transgenic grafts overexpressing ferritin in murine myocardial infarcts. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:1187-95. [PMID: 22362654 PMCID: PMC3389131 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 11/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The noninvasive detection of transplanted cells in damaged organs and the longitudinal follow-up of cell fate and graft size are important for the evaluation of cell therapy. We have shown previously that the overexpression of the natural iron storage protein, ferritin, permits the detection of engrafted cells in mouse heart by MRI, but further imaging optimization is required. Here, we report a systematic evaluation of ferritin-based stem cell imaging in infarcted mouse hearts in vivo using three cardiac-gated pulse sequences in a 3-T scanner: black-blood proton-density-weighted turbo spin echo (PD TSE BB), bright-blood T(2) -weighted gradient echo (GRE) and black-blood T(2) -weighted GRE with improved motion-sensitized-driven equilibrium (iMSDE) preparation. Transgenic C2C12 myoblast grafts overexpressing ferritin did not change MRI contrast in the PD TSE BB images, but showed a 20% reduction in signal intensity ratio in black-blood T(2) -weighted iMSDE (p < 0.05) and a 30% reduction in bright-blood T(2) -weighted GRE (p < 0.0001). Graft size measurements by T(2) iMSDE and T(2) GRE were highly correlated with histological assessments (r = 0.79 and r = 0.89, respectively). Unlabeled wild-type C2C12 cells transplanted to mouse heart did not change the MRI signal intensity, although endogenous hemosiderin was seen in some infarcts. These data support the use of ferritin to track the survival, growth and migration of stem cells transplanted into the injured heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Naumova
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Dorward DA, Lucas CD, Rossi AG, Haslett C, Dhaliwal K. Imaging inflammation: molecular strategies to visualize key components of the inflammatory cascade, from initiation to resolution. Pharmacol Ther 2012; 135:182-99. [PMID: 22627270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of innumerable human diseases. Understanding and tracking the critical events in inflammation are crucial for disease monitoring and pharmacological drug discovery and development. Recent progress in molecular imaging has provided novel insights into spatial associations, molecular events and temporal sequelae in the inflammatory process. While remaining a burgeoning field in pre-clinical research, increasing application in man affords researchers the opportunity to study disease pathogenesis in humans in situ thereby revolutionizing conventional understanding of pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets. This review provides a description of commonly used molecular imaging modalities, including optical, radionuclide and magnetic resonance imaging, and details key advances and translational opportunities in imaging inflammation from initiation to resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D A Dorward
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Transgenic Mice Expressing Human Ferritin. Mol Imaging Biol 2012; 15:48-57. [DOI: 10.1007/s11307-012-0567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
39
|
Choi SH, Cho HR, Kim HS, Kim YH, Kang KW, Kim H, Moon WK. Imaging and quantification of metastatic melanoma cells in lymph nodes with a ferritin MR reporter in living mice. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:737-745. [PMID: 22124937 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2011] [Revised: 07/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Cellular MRI with a reporter gene offers the opportunity to track small numbers of tumor cells and to study metastatic processes in their earliest developmental stages in the target organs of interest. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using the MR reporter ferritin for the noninvasive imaging and quantification of metastatic melanoma cells in the lymph nodes (LNs) of living mice. A B16F10 murine melanoma cell line expressing human ferritin heavy chain (hFTH) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) was constructed to allow the detection of cells by MRI and fluorescence imaging. Stable overexpression of hFTH and GFP in B16F10 murine melanoma cells was feasible and showed no cellular toxicity. In addition, hFTH cells were detectable by 9.4-T MRI in vitro and in vivo, yielding significant changes in T(2)* relative to control cells. In BALB/c nude mice, the presence of hFTH- and GFP-expressing metastatic melanoma cells in deep-seated axillary LNs was demonstrated as areas of low T(2)* on MRI, but the same LNs were not visible by fluorescence imaging because the light was unable to penetrate the tissue. Furthermore, the metastatic volume of each LN, which was assessed by cumulative histogram analysis of the T(2)* MRI data, correlated well with tumor burden, which was determined by histology (r = -0.8773, p = 0.0001). This study is the first to use MRI and an MR reporter gene for both the visualization and quantification of metastatic cancer cells in LNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hong Choi
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lee JM, Kim BS, Lee H, Im GI. In vivo tracking of mesechymal stem cells using fluorescent nanoparticles in an osteochondral repair model. Mol Ther 2012; 20:1434-42. [PMID: 22491215 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We devised and tested an in vivo system to monitor the migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the marrow cavity. In vitro studies confirmed that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA had the most potent chemotactic effect of the tested factors, and possessed the greatest number of receptors in MSCs. MSCs were labeled with fluorescent nanoparticles and injected into the marrow cavity of nude rats through osteochondral defects created in the distal femur. The defects were sealed with HCF (heparin-conjugated fibrin) or PDGF-AA-loaded HCF. In the HCF-only group, the nanoparticle-labeled MSCs dispersed outside the marrow cavity within 3 days after injection. In the PDGF-AA-loaded HCF group, the labeled cells moved time-dependently for 14 days toward the osteochondral defect. HCF-PDGF in low dose (LD; 8.5 ng/µl) was more effective than HCF-PDGF in high dose (HD; 17 ng/µl) in recruiting the MSCs to the osteochondral defect. After 21 days, the defects treated with PDGF and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-loaded HCF showed excellent cartilage repair compared with other groups. Further studies confirmed that this in vivo osteochondral MSCs tracking system (IOMTS) worked for other chemoattractants (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and PDGF-BB). IOMTS can provide a useful tool to examine the effect of growth factors or chemokines on endogenous cartilage repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jong Min Lee
- Department of Orthopaedics, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Wang L, Su W, Liu Z, Zhou M, Chen S, Chen Y, Lu D, Liu Y, Fan Y, Zheng Y, Han Z, Kong D, Wu JC, Xiang R, Li Z. CD44 antibody-targeted liposomal nanoparticles for molecular imaging and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomaterials 2012; 33:5107-14. [PMID: 22494888 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Most hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapies fail to target cancer stem cells (CSCs) and monitor cancer progression or regression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of cancer imaging and simultaneously monitoring targeted therapy in a single animal by anti-CD44 antibody-mediated liposomal nanoparticle. In this study, an in situ liver tumor model was applied for therapy by injecting 1.0 × 10(6) HepG2 cells carrying a reporter system encoding a double fusion (DF) reporter gene consisting of firefly luciferase (Fluc) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the liver of NOD/SCID mice. A strategy was developed which specifically targeted HCC via anti-CD44 antibody-mediated liposomal nanoparticle delivery, loaded of either doxorubicin (Dox) or a triple fusion (TF) gene containing the herpes simplex virus truncated thymidine kinase (HSV-ttk) and renilla luciferase (Rluc) and red fluorescent protein (RFP). The NOD/SCID mice were subsequently treated with ganciclovir (GCV) and the growth status of tumor was monitored by optical bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of Fluc and specific targeting of the liposomal nanoparticle was tracked by Rluc imaging. CD44 antibody-mediated liposomal nanoparticle, loaded of TF plasmids, were shown to be useful for monitoring and evaluating targeting efficacy and gene therapy by non-invasive molecular imaging. Here, we demonstrate the time intensive preclinical steps involved in molecular target identification, validation, and characterization by dual molecular imaging. This targeted and traceable therapeutic strategy has potential advantages to overcome the problems of conventional tumor therapy and may open a new application for the treatment of HCC by targeting CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Department of Immunology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 300071, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Efficiency of ferritin as an MRI reporter gene in NPC cells is enhanced by iron supplementation. J Biomed Biotechnol 2012; 2012:434878. [PMID: 22536021 PMCID: PMC3322460 DOI: 10.1155/2012/434878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2011] [Accepted: 12/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An emerging MRI reporter, ferritin heavy chain (FTH1), is recently applied to enhance the contrast and increase the sensitivity of MRI in the monitoring of solid tumors. However, FTH1-overexpression-related cytotoxicity is required to be explored. METHODS By using the Tet-Off system, FTH1 overexpression was semi-quantitativiely and dynamicly regulated by doxycycline in a NPC cell line. Effects of FTH1 overexpression on the proliferation, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and migration of NPC cells were investigated in vitro, and MR relaxation rate was measured in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS In vitro and in vivo overexpression of FTH1 significantly increased the transverse relaxivity (R(2)), which could be enhanced by iron supplementation. In vitro, overexpression of FTH1 reduced cell growth and migration, which were not reduced by iron supplementation. Furthermore, cells were subcutaneously inoculated into the nude mice. Results showed FTH1 overexpression decreased tumor growth in the absence of iron supplementation but not in the presence of iron supplementation. CONCLUSION To maximize R(2) and minimize the potential adverse effects, supplementation of iron at appropriate dose is recommended during the application of FTH1 as a reporter gene in the monitoring of NPC by MRI.
Collapse
|
43
|
Is there a path beyond BOLD? Molecular imaging of brain function. Neuroimage 2012; 62:1208-15. [PMID: 22406355 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.02.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 02/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dependence of BOLD on neuro-vascular coupling leaves it many biological steps removed from direct monitoring of neural function. MRI based approaches have been developed aimed at reporting more directly on brain function. These include: manganese enhanced MRI as a surrogate for calcium ion influx; agents responsive to calcium concentrations; approaches to measure membrane potential; agents to measure neurotransmitters; and strategies to measure gene expression. This work has led to clever design of molecular imaging tools and many contributions to studies of brain function in animal models. However, a robust approach that has potential to get MRI closer to neurons in the human brain has not yet emerged.
Collapse
|
44
|
Tan H, Li Y, Chen L, Kudoh T, Kasai T, Seno M. The conformational polymorphism of the green fluorescent protein. Mol Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893311060045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
45
|
Magnetic resonance imaging of tumors colonized with bacterial ferritin-expressing Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25409. [PMID: 21984917 PMCID: PMC3184983 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that human ferritin can be used as a reporter of gene expression for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Bacteria also encode three classes of ferritin-type molecules with iron accumulation properties. Methods and Findings Here, we investigated whether these bacterial ferritins can also be used as MRI reporter genes and which of the bacterial ferritins is the most suitable reporter. Bacterial ferritins were overexpressed in probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917. Cultures of these bacteria were analyzed and those generating highest MRI contrast were further investigated in tumor bearing mice. Among members of three classes of bacterial ferritin tested, bacterioferritin showed the most promise as a reporter gene. Although all three proteins accumulated similar amounts of iron when overexpressed individually, bacterioferritin showed the highest contrast change. By site-directed mutagenesis we also show that the heme iron, a unique part of the bacterioferritin molecule, is not critical for MRI contrast change. Tumor-specific induction of bacterioferritin-expression in colonized tumors resulted in contrast changes within the bacteria-colonized tumors. Conclusions Our data suggest that colonization and gene expression by live vectors expressing bacterioferritin can be monitored by MRI due to contrast changes.
Collapse
|
46
|
Fu Y, Azene N, Xu Y, Kraitchman DL. Tracking stem cells for cardiovascular applications in vivo: focus on imaging techniques. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 3:473-486. [PMID: 22287982 DOI: 10.2217/iim.11.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite rapid translation of stem cell therapy into clinical practice, the treatment of cardiovascular disease using embryonic stem cells, adult stem and progenitor cells or induced pluripotent stem cells has not yielded satisfactory results to date. Noninvasive stem cell imaging techniques could provide greater insight into not only the therapeutic benefit, but also the fundamental mechanisms underlying stem cell fate, migration, survival and engraftment in vivo. This information could also assist in the appropriate choice of stem cell type(s), delivery routes and dosing regimes in clinical cardiovascular stem cell trials. Multiple imaging modalities, such as MRI, PET, SPECT and CT, have emerged, offering the ability to localize, monitor and track stem cells in vivo. This article discusses stem cell labeling approaches and highlights the latest cardiac stem cell imaging techniques that may help clinicians, research scientists or other healthcare professionals select the best cellular therapeutics for cardiovascular disease management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingli Fu
- Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Richard-Fiardo P, Franken PR, Harrington KJ, Vassaux G, Cambien B. The use of molecular imaging of gene expression by radiotracers in gene therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 11:1273-85. [DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2011.588596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|