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Application of Genetically Encoded Molecular Imaging Probes in Tumor Imaging. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2022; 2022:5473244. [PMID: 36101803 PMCID: PMC9440812 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5473244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, imaging technology has made rapid progress to improve the sensitivity of tumor diagnostic. With the development of genetic engineering and synthetic biology, various genetically encoded molecular imaging probes have also been extensively developed. As a biomedical imaging method with excellent detectable sensitivity and spatial resolution, genetically encoded molecular imaging has great application potential in the visualization of cellular and molecular functions during tumor development. Compared to chemosynthetic dyes and nanoparticles with an imaging function, genetically encoded molecular imaging probes can more easily label specific cells or proteins of interest in tumor tissues and have higher stability and tissue contrast in vivo. Therefore, genetically encoded molecular imaging probes have attracted increasing attention from researchers in engineering and biomedicine. In this review, we aimed to introduce the genetically encoded molecular imaging probes and further explained their applications in tumor imaging.
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Volpe A, Pillarsetty NVK, Lewis JS, Ponomarev V. Applications of nuclear-based imaging in gene and cell therapy: probe considerations. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 20:447-458. [PMID: 33718593 PMCID: PMC7907215 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Several types of gene- and cell-based therapeutics are now emerging in the cancer immunotherapy, transplantation, and regenerative medicine landscapes. Radionuclear-based imaging can be used as a molecular imaging tool for repetitive and non-invasive visualization as well as in vivo monitoring of therapy success. In this review, we discuss the principles of nuclear-based imaging and provide a comprehensive overview of its application in gene and cell therapy. This review aims to inform investigators in the biomedical field as well as clinicians on the state of the art of nuclear imaging, from probe design to available radiopharmaceuticals and advances of direct (probe-based) and indirect (transgene-based) strategies in both preclinical and clinical settings. Notably, as the nuclear-based imaging toolbox is continuously expanding, it will be increasingly incorporated into the clinical setting where the distribution, targeting, and persistence of a new generation of therapeutics can be imaged and ultimately guide therapeutic decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Volpe
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Naga Vara Kishore Pillarsetty
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason S Lewis
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vladimir Ponomarev
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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Serganova I, Blasberg RG. Molecular Imaging with Reporter Genes: Has Its Promise Been Delivered? J Nucl Med 2020; 60:1665-1681. [PMID: 31792128 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The first reporter systems were developed in the early 1980s and were based on measuring the activity of an enzyme-as a surrogate measure of promoter-driven transcriptional activity-which is now known as a reporter gene system. The initial objective and application of reporter techniques was to analyze the activity of a specific promoter (namely, the expression of a gene that is under the regulation of the specific promoter that is linked to the reporter gene). This system allows visualization of specific promoter activity with great sensitivity. In general, there are 2 classes of reporter systems: constitutively expressed (always-on) reporter constructs used for cell tracking, and inducible reporter systems sensitive to endogenous signaling molecules and transcription factors that characterize specific tissues, tumors, or signaling pathways.This review traces the development of different reporter systems, using fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins as well as radionuclide-based reporter systems. The development and application of radionuclide-based reporter systems is the focus of this review. The question at the end of the review is whether the "promise" of reporter gene imaging has been realized. What is required for moving forward with radionuclide-based reporter systems, and what is required for successful translation to clinical applications?
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Serganova
- Department of Neurology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ronald G Blasberg
- Department of Neurology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York .,Department of Radiology, Memorial Hospital, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; and.,Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Williams KM, Chakrabarty JH. Imaging haemopoietic stem cells and microenvironment dynamics through transplantation. LANCET HAEMATOLOGY 2020; 7:e259-e269. [PMID: 32109406 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(20)30003-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the subclinical pathway to cellular engraftment following haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has historically been limited by infrequent marrow biopsies, which increase the risk of infections and might poorly represent the health of the marrow space. Nuclear imaging could represent an opportunity to evaluate the entire medullary space non-invasively, yielding information about cell number, proliferation, or metabolism. Because imaging is not associated with infectious risk, it permits assessment of neutropenic timepoints that were previously inaccessible. This Viewpoint summarises the data regarding the use of nuclear medicine techniques to assess the phases of HSCT: pre-transplant homoeostasis, induced aplasia, early settling and engraftment of infused cells, and later recovery of lymphocytes that target cancers or mediate tolerance. Although these data are newly emerging and preliminary, nuclear medicine imaging approaches might advance our understanding of HSCT events and lead to novel recommendations to enhance outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten M Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University and the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA; Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, AFLAC Cancer and Blood disorder Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Jennifer Holter Chakrabarty
- Department of Medicine, Division of Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma CIty, OK, USA
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Eve DJ, Sanberg PR. Article Commentary: Stem Cell Research in Cell Transplantation: An Analysis of Geopolitical Influence by Publications. Cell Transplant 2017; 16:867-873. [DOI: 10.3727/000000007783465190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the fastest growing fields in researching treatments for neurodegenerative and other disorders is the use of stem cells. These cells are naturally occurring and can be obtained from three different stages of an organism's life: embryonic, fetal, and adult. In the US, political doctrine has restricted use of federal funds for stem cells, enhancing research towards an adult source. In order to determine how this legislation may be represented by the stem cell field, a retrospective analysis of stem cell articles published in the journal Cell Transplantation over a 2-year period was performed. Cell Transplantation is considered a translational journal from preclinical to clinical, so it was of interest to determine the publication outcome of stem cell articles 6 years after the US regulations. The distribution of the source of stem cells was found to be biased towards the adult stage, but relatively similar over the embryonic and fetal stages. The fetal stem cell reports were primarily neural in origin, whereas the adult stem cell ones were predominantly mesenchymal and used mainly in neural studies. The majority of stem cell studies published in Cell Transplantation were found to fall under the umbrella of neuroscience research. American scientists published the most articles using stem cells with a bias towards adult stem cells, supporting the effect of the legislation, whereas Europe was the leading continent with a bias towards embryonic and fetal stem cells, where research is “controlled” but not restricted. Japan was also a major player in the use of stem cells. Allogeneic transplants (where donor and recipient are the same species) were the most common transplants recorded, although the transplantation of human-derived stem cells into rodents was the most common specific transplantation performed. This demonstrates that the use of stem cells is an increasingly important field (with a doubling of papers between 2005 and 2006), which is likely to develop into a major therapeutic area over the next few decades and that funding restrictions can affect the type of research being performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Eve
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Paul R. Sanberg
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
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Eve DJ, Sanberg PR. Article Commentary: Regenerative Medicine: An Analysis of Cell Transplantation's Impact. Cell Transplant 2017; 16:751-764. [DOI: 10.3727/000000007783465136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David J. Eve
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Paul R. Sanberg
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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Perin EC, Tian M, Marini FC, Silva GV, Zheng Y, Baimbridge F, Quan X, Fernandes MR, Gahremanpour A, Young D, Paolillo V, Mukhopadhyay U, Borne AT, Uthamanthil R, Brammer D, Jackson J, Decker WK, Najjar AM, Thomas MW, Volgin A, Rabinovich B, Soghomonyan S, Jeong HJ, Rios JM, Steiner D, Robinson S, Mawlawi O, Pan T, Stafford J, Kundra V, Li C, Alauddin MM, Willerson JT, Shpall E, Gelovani JG. Imaging long-term fate of intramyocardially implanted mesenchymal stem cells in a porcine myocardial infarction model. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22949. [PMID: 21912635 PMCID: PMC3164664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term fate of stem cells after intramyocardial delivery is unknown. We used noninvasive, repetitive PET/CT imaging with [(18)F]FEAU to monitor the long-term (up to 5 months) spatial-temporal dynamics of MSCs retrovirally transduced with the sr39HSV1-tk gene (sr39HSV1-tk-MSC) and implanted intramyocardially in pigs with induced acute myocardial infarction. Repetitive [(18)F]FEAU PET/CT revealed a biphasic pattern of sr39HSV1-tk-MSC dynamics; cell proliferation peaked at 33-35 days after injection, in periinfarct regions and the major cardiac lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. The sr39HSV1-tk-MSC-associated [(18)F]FEAU signals gradually decreased thereafter. Cardiac lymphography studies using PG-Gd-NIRF813 contrast for MRI and near-infrared fluorescence imaging showed rapid clearance of the contrast from the site of intramyocardial injection through the subepicardial lymphatic network into the lymphatic vessels and periaortic lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis of cardiac tissue obtained at 35 and 150 days demonstrated several types of sr39HSV1-tk expressing cells, including fibro-myoblasts, lymphovascular cells, and microvascular and arterial endothelium. In summary, this study demonstrated the feasibility and sensitivity of [(18)F]FEAU PET/CT imaging for long-term, in-vivo monitoring (up to 5 months) of the fate of intramyocardially injected sr39HSV1-tk-MSC cells. Intramyocardially transplanted MSCs appear to integrate into the lymphatic endothelium and may help improve myocardial lymphatic system function after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson C Perin
- The Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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Liu J, Arends R, Martens A, den Brok-Bardoel MHC, Scheepers MGH, van Blitterswijk CA, de Boer J. Noninvasive imaging of bone-specific collagen I expression in a luciferase transgenic mouse model. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2010; 16:1297-304. [PMID: 20218816 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2009.0594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Luciferase transgenic mice are a very promising tool for noninvasive, quantitative, and longitudinal evaluation of gene expression. The aim of this study was to validate the Col(I)-Luc transgenic mouse model in which the luciferase gene is driven by bone-specific regulatory elements from the mouse collagen α1(I) gene for bioluminescent imaging of bone development and remodeling. We observed strong luciferase activity in skeletal tissues of Col(I)-Luc mice, and observed that the light intensity declined with postnatal bone development. Luciferase activity was enhanced in a tail bone repair model and we were able to monitor the process of ectopic bone formation induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 using bioluminescent imaging. We conclude that Col(I)-Luc transgenic mice can be applied in the field of bone tissue engineering for monitoring bone repair processes and for investigating osteoinductive molecules or scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Tissue Regeneration, MIRA Research Institute, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Kidd S, Spaeth E, Dembinski JL, Dietrich M, Watson K, Klopp A, Battula VL, Weil M, Andreeff M, Marini FC. Direct evidence of mesenchymal stem cell tropism for tumor and wounding microenvironments using in vivo bioluminescent imaging. Stem Cells 2010; 27:2614-23. [PMID: 19650040 DOI: 10.1002/stem.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 495] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) have shown potential clinical utility. However, previous assessments of MSC behavior in recipients have relied on visual detection in host tissue following sacrifice, failing to monitor in vivo MSC dispersion in a single animal and limiting the number of variables that can be observed concurrently. In this study, we used noninvasive, in vivo bioluminescent imaging to determine conditions under which MSC selectively engraft in sites of inflammation. MSC modified to express firefly luciferase (ffLuc-MSC) were injected into healthy mice or mice bearing inflammatory insults, and MSC localization was followed with bioluminescent imaging. The inflammatory insults investigated included cutaneous needle-stick and surgical incision wounds, as well as xenogeneic and syngeneic tumors. We also compared tumor models in which MSC were i.v. or i.p. delivered. Our results demonstrate that ffLuc-expressing human MSC (hMSC) systemically delivered to nontumor-bearing animals initially reside in the lungs, then egress to the liver and spleen, and decrease in signal over time. However, hMSC in wounded mice engraft and remain detectable only at injured sites. Similarly, in syngeneic and xenogeneic breast carcinoma-bearing mice, bioluminescent detection of systemically delivered MSC revealed persistent, specific colocalization with sites of tumor development. This pattern of tropism was also observed in an ovarian tumor model in which MSC were i.p. injected. In this study, we identified conditions under which MSC tropism and selective engraftment in sites of inflammation can be monitored by bioluminescent imaging over time. Importantly, these consistent findings were independent of tumor type, immunocompetence, and route of MSC delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Kidd
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Abstract
A promising role of cellular therapies in cancer treatment is reflected by the constantly growing number of clinical trials with adoptively transferred cells. Direct and indirect cell labeling for the nuclear imaging of transferred cells has been proven reliable for imaging adoptive cellular therapies. Both methods show their advantages and limitations. Direct labeling is a relatively easy, inexpensive, and well-established methodology. Indirect labeling using a reporter gene imaging paradigm allows for reliable, stable, and harmless visualization of cellular trafficking, persistence, proliferation, and function at the target site. It is expected that new human-derived reporter genes will be rapidly translated into clinical applications that require repetitive imaging for the effective monitoring of various genetic and cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Ponomarev
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Akins EJ, Dubey P. Noninvasive imaging of cell-mediated therapy for treatment of cancer. J Nucl Med 2008; 49 Suppl 2:180S-95S. [PMID: 18523073 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.107.045971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-mediated therapy (immunotherapy) for the treatment of cancer is an active area of investigation in animal models and clinical trials. Despite many advances, objective responses to immunotherapy are observed in a small number of cases, for certain tumor types. To better understand differences in outcomes, it is critical to develop assays for tracking effector cell localization and function in situ. The fairly recent use of molecular imaging techniques to track cell populations has presented researchers and clinicians with a powerful diagnostic tool for determining the efficacy of cell-mediated therapy for the treatment of cancer. This review highlights the application of whole-body noninvasive radioisotopic, magnetic, and optical imaging methods for monitoring effector cells in vivo. Issues that affect sensitivity of detection, such as methods of cell marking, efficiency of cell labeling, toxicity, and limits of detection of imaging modalities, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Akins
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Abstract
Non-invasive in-vivo molecular genetic imaging developed over the past decade and predominantly utilises radiotracer (PET, gamma camera, autoradiography), magnetic resonance and optical imaging technology. Molecular genetic imaging has its roots in both molecular biology and cell biology. The convergence of these disciplines and imaging modalities has provided the opportunity to address new research questions, including oncogenesis, tumour maintenance and progression, as well as responses to molecular-targeted therapy. Three different imaging strategies are described: (1) "bio-marker" or "surrogate" imaging; (2) "direct" imaging of specific molecules and pathway activity; (3) "indirect" reporter gene imaging. Examples of each imaging strategy are presented and discussed. Several applications of PET- and optical-based reporter imaging are demonstrated, including signal transduction pathway monitoring, oncogenesis in genetic mouse models, endogenous molecular genetic/biological processes and the response to therapy in animal models of human disease. Molecular imaging studies will compliment established ex-vivo molecular-biological assays that require tissue sampling by providing a spatial and a temporal dimension to our understanding of disease development and progression, as well as response to treatment. Although molecular imaging studies are currently being performed primarily in experimental animals, we optimistically expect they will be translated to human subjects with cancer and other diseases in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Serganova
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
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