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Noblé HJ, Mühlbauer N, Ehling J, Bansmann PM. The value of AI-based analysis of fractional flow reserve of volume computed tomographically detected coronary artery stenosis with regard to their hemodynamic relevance. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2024. [PMID: 38631371 DOI: 10.1055/a-2271-0887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The aim of our work was to demonstrate the importance of artificial intelligence-based analysis of fractional flow reserves of computed tomographically detected coronary artery stenosis with regard to their hemodynamic relevance in patients with unclear chest pain and suspected stable coronary heart disease with a low to medium pre-test probability.The collective of our retrospective analysis includes 63 patients in whom coronary artery stenosis was detected by volume computed tomographic examination in "one beat, whole heart" mode in the period from March to October 2022. In these patients, the fractional flow reserve was also determined by computed tomography, which was modulated by the use of artificial intelligence.The calculated values of the fractional flow reserve and the degrees of stenosis determined by computed tomography showed a moderate and significant negative correlation for all three coronary vascular territories (LAD/CX/RCA) (correlation coefficient rho = 0.54/0.54/0.6; p < 0.01 respectively). In just over a third (37.6 %) of all stenoses classified as high-grade by computed tomography, the assessment of hemodynamic relevance by calculating the fractional flow reserve deviated from the severity of the stenosis diagnosed by computed tomography, while the results in the peripheral areas "no stenosis/vascular occlusion" were 100 % consistent in each case.The present results of this work illustrate that the calculation of the fractional flow reserve based on artificial intelligence as a supplement to volume computed tomography of the heart can make a decisive contribution to further therapy planning by increasing the specificity of the purely morphological method by the physiological aspect. · Calculation of fractional flow reserve is a useful addition to computed tomography of the heart.. · It provides possibility to dispense with unnecessary further diagnostics by increasing specificity.. · The combination of both procedures leads to therapy optimization for patients.. · Noblé H, Mühlbauer N, Ehling J et al. The value of AI-based analysis of fractional flow reserve of volume computed tomographically detected coronary artery stenosis with regard to their hemodynamic relevance. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI: 10.1055/a-2271-0887.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Jürgen Noblé
- Department of Radiology, German Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nadine Mühlbauer
- Department of Radiology, German Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Radiology, German Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paul Martin Bansmann
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Hospital Porz am Rhein, Cologne, Germany
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2
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Möckel D, Bartneck M, Niemietz P, Wagner M, Ehling J, Rama E, Weiler M, Gremse F, Eulberg D, Pola R, Pechar M, Etrych T, Storm G, Kiessling F, Tacke F, Lammers T. CCL2 chemokine inhibition primes the tumor vasculature for improved nanomedicine delivery and efficacy. J Control Release 2024; 365:358-368. [PMID: 38016488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Blood vessel functionality is crucial for efficient tumor-targeted drug delivery. Heterogeneous distribution and perfusion of angiogenic blood vessels contribute to suboptimal accumulation of (nano-) therapeutics in tumors and metastases. To attenuate pathological angiogenesis, an L-RNA aptamer inhibiting the CC motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) was administered to mice bearing orthotopic 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer tumors. The effect of CCL2 inhibition on tumor blood vessel functionality and tumor-targeted drug delivery was evaluated via multimodal and multiscale optical imaging, employing fluorophore-labeled polymeric (10 nm) and liposomal (100 nm) nanocarriers. Anti-CCL2 treatment induced a dose-dependent anti-angiogenic effect, reflected by a decreased relative blood volume, increased blood vessel maturity and functionality, and reduced macrophage infiltration, accompanied by a shift in the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) towards a less M2-like and more M1-like phenotype. In line with this, CCL2 inhibitor treatment improved the delivery of polymers and liposomes to tumors, and enhanced the antitumor efficacy of free and liposomal doxorubicin. Together, these findings demonstrate that blocking the CCL2-CCR2 axis modulates TAM infiltration and polarization, resulting in vascular normalization and improved tumor-targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Möckel
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Patricia Niemietz
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Maike Wagner
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Elena Rama
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marek Weiler
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany; Gremse-IT GmbH, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Robert Pola
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Pechar
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Etrych
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, University of Twente, the Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany.
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3
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Rose M, Huth S, Wiesehöfer M, Ehling J, Henkel C, Steitz J, Lammers T, Kistermann J, Klaas O, Koch M, Rushrush S, Knüchel R, Dahl E. ITIH5-Derived Polypeptides Covering the VIT Domain Suppress the Growth of Human Cancer Cells In Vitro. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030488. [PMID: 35158755 PMCID: PMC8833355 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic drivers such as mutated EGFR are the preferred targets in modern drug development. However, restoring the lost function of tumor suppressor proteins could also be a valid approach to combatting cancer. ITIH5 has been revealed as a potent metastasis suppressor in both breast and pancreatic cancer. Here, we show that ITIH5 overexpression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells can also locally suppress tumor growth by 85%, when transplanted into the mammary fat pad of nude mice. For a potential drug development approach, we further aimed to define downsized ITIH5 polypeptides that still are capable of mediating growth inhibitory effects. By cloning truncated and His-tagged ITIH5 fragments, we synthesized two recombinant N-terminal polypeptides (ITIH5681aa and ITIH5161aa), both covering the ITI heavy chain specific “vault protein inter-alpha-trypsin” (VIT) domain. Truncated ITIH5 variants caused dose-dependent cell growth inhibition by up to 50% when applied to various cancer cell lines (e.g., MDA-MB-231, SCaBER, A549) reflecting breast, bladder and lung cancer in vitro. Thus, our data suggest the substantial role of the ITIH5-specific VIT domain in ITIH5-mediated suppression of tumor cell proliferation. As extracellularly administered ITIH5 peptides mimic the growth-inhibitory effects of the full-length ITIH5 tumor suppressor protein, they may constitute the basis for developing anticancer drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rose
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (E.D.); Tel.: +49-241-80-89715 (M.R.); +49-241-80-88431 (E.D.); Fax: +49-241-8082439 (M.R. & E.D.)
| | - Sebastian Huth
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Marc Wiesehöfer
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.E.); (T.L.)
| | - Corinna Henkel
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
- Bruker Daltonik GmbH, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia Steitz
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (J.E.); (T.L.)
| | - Jennifer Kistermann
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Oliver Klaas
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Maximilian Koch
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Sandra Rushrush
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Ruth Knüchel
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Edgar Dahl
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (S.H.); (M.W.); (C.H.); (J.K.); (O.K.); (M.K.); (S.R.); (R.K.)
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf (CIO ABCD), 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (E.D.); Tel.: +49-241-80-89715 (M.R.); +49-241-80-88431 (E.D.); Fax: +49-241-8082439 (M.R. & E.D.)
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4
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Sönksen SE, Kühn SR, Noblé HJ, Knopf H, Ehling J, Jakobs FM, Frischmuth J, Weber F. Incidental Finding Prevalences in 3-Tesla Brain and Spine MRI of Military Pilot Applicants. Aerosp Med Hum Perform 2021; 92:146-152. [PMID: 33754971 DOI: 10.3357/amhp.5749.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Incidental findings in brain and spine MRI are common. In aerospace medicine, pilot selection may be affected by improved sensitivity of modern MRI devices. We investigated the occurrence of medically unfit rates caused by incidental findings in military pilot applicants using a 3-Tesla scanner as compared to the outcomes of a lower field strength 1-Tesla device based on similar screening protocols.METHODS: A total of 3315 military pilot applicants were assessed by a standardized German Air Force Imaging Screening Protocol and retrospectively subdivided into two cohorts, one of which was assessed by 1-Tesla MRI (2012-2015; N 1782), while in the second cohort (2016-2019; N 1808), a 3-Tesla MRI was used. Cohorts were statistically analyzed relating to three entities of incidental findings: 1) intervertebral disc displacements, 2) intracerebral vessel malformations, and 3) other abnormal findings in the brain.RESULTS: Pooled prevalences of incidental findings in medically unfit applicants significantly increased by use of 3-Tesla MRI as compared to lower resolution 1-Tesla MRI. Regarding the spine, prevalences more than doubled (1.46 vs. 4.99%; P < 0.05) for intervertebral disc displacements. Similarly, prevalences of cerebral vessel malformations as well as other abnormal CNS incidental findings considerably increased by use of 3-Tesla MRI (0.28 vs. 1.67%; P < 0.05, and 5.12 vs. 9.80%; P < 0.05). Effect sizes and correlations were substantial in all conditions analyzed (Cohens d > 0.8; Pearsons r > 0.75).CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a strong dependency of incidental cerebrospinal findings on image resolution and sensitivity of MRI devices used for screening, which is enhanced by refined imaging protocols and followed by increased medical unfit rates in prospective aviators. Adjusted strategies in the assessment of such lesions are needed to redefine their natural history and physiological impact, and to optimize screening protocols for future pilot selection.Snksen S-E, Khn SR, Nobl H-J, Knopf H, Ehling J, Jakobs FM, Frischmuth J, Weber F. Incidental finding prevalences in 3-Tesla brain and spine MRI of military pilot applicants. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(3):146152.
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5
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Sun Q, Baues M, Klinkhammer BM, Ehling J, Djudjaj S, Drude NI, Daniel C, Amann K, Kramann R, Kim H, Saez-Rodriguez J, Weiskirchen R, Onthank DC, Botnar RM, Kiessling F, Floege J, Lammers T, Boor P. Elastin imaging enables noninvasive staging and treatment monitoring of kidney fibrosis. Sci Transl Med 2020; 11:11/486/eaat4865. [PMID: 30944168 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aat4865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the common endpoint and currently the best predictor of progression of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Despite several drawbacks, biopsies remain the only available means to specifically assess the extent of renal fibrosis. Here, we show that molecular imaging of the extracellular matrix protein elastin allows for noninvasive staging and longitudinal monitoring of renal fibrosis. Elastin was hardly expressed in healthy mouse, rat, and human kidneys, whereas it was highly up-regulated in cortical, medullar, and perivascular regions in progressive CKD. Compared to a clinically relevant control contrast agent, the elastin-specific magnetic resonance imaging agent ESMA specifically detected elastin expression in multiple mouse models of renal fibrosis and also in fibrotic human kidneys. Elastin imaging allowed for repetitive and reproducible assessment of renal fibrosis, and it enabled longitudinal monitoring of therapeutic interventions, accurately capturing anti-fibrotic therapy effects. Last, in a model of reversible renal injury, elastin imaging detected ensuing fibrosis not identifiable via routine assessment of kidney function. Elastin imaging thus has the potential to become a noninvasive, specific imaging method to assess renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinxue Sun
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Radiology, Ningbo Medical Center Li Huili Hospital, 315040 Ningbo, China
| | - Maike Baues
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Barbara M Klinkhammer
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sonja Djudjaj
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Natascha I Drude
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department for Nuclear Medicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph Daniel
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Nephropathology, University Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Amann
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Nephropathology, University Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Computational Biomedicine, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Rene M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, WC2R 2LS London, UK
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany. .,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany. .,Department of Nephrology and Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Electron Microscopy Facility, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, 81972 Bratislava, Slovakia
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6
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Rose M, Kloten V, Noetzel E, Gola L, Ehling J, Heide T, Meurer SK, Gaiko-Shcherbak A, Sechi AS, Huth S, Weiskirchen R, Klaas O, Antonopoulos W, Lin Q, Wagner W, Veeck J, Gremse F, Steitz J, Knüchel R, Dahl E. ITIH5 mediates epigenetic reprogramming of breast cancer cells. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:44. [PMID: 28231808 PMCID: PMC5322623 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0610-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to maintain epithelial integrity. In carcinogenesis ECM degradation triggers metastasis by controlling migration and differentiation including cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics. The ECM-modulator inter- α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family member five (ITIH5) was recently identified as tumor suppressor potentially involved in impairing breast cancer progression but molecular mechanisms underlying its function are still elusive. Methods ITIH5 expression was analyzed using the public TCGA portal. ITIH5-overexpressing single-cell clones were established based on T47D and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Colony formation, growth, apoptosis, migration, matrix adhesion, traction force analyses and polarization of tumor cells were studied in vitro. Tumor-initiating characteristics were analyzed by generating a metastasis mouse model. To identify ITIH5-affected pathways we utilized genome wide gene expression and DNA methylation profiles. RNA-interference targeting the ITIH5-downstream regulated gene DAPK1 was used to confirm functional involvement. Results ITIH5 loss was pronounced in breast cancer subtypes with unfavorable prognosis like basal-type tumors. Functionally, cell and colony formation was impaired after ITIH5 re-expression in both cell lines. In a metastasis mouse model, ITIH5 expressing MDA-MB-231 cells almost completely failed to initiate lung metastases. In these metastatic cells ITIH5 modulated cell-matrix adhesion dynamics and altered biomechanical cues. The profile of integrin receptors was shifted towards β1-integrin accompanied by decreased Rac1 and increased RhoA activity in ITIH5-expressing clones while cell polarization and single-cell migration was impaired. Instead ITIH5 expression triggered the formation of epithelial-like cell clusters that underwent an epigenetic reprogramming. 214 promoter regions potentially marked with either H3K4 and /or H3K27 methylation showed a hyper- or hypomethylated DNA configuration due to ITIH5 expression finally leading to re-expression of the tumor suppressor DAPK1. In turn, RNAi-mediated knockdown of DAPK1 in ITIH5-expressing MDA-MB-231 single-cell clones clearly restored cell motility. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that ITIH5 triggers a reprogramming of breast cancer cells with known stem CSC properties towards an epithelial-like phenotype through global epigenetic changes effecting known tumor suppressor genes like DAPK1. Therewith, ITIH5 may represent an ECM modulator in epithelial breast tissue mediating suppression of tumor initiating cancer cell characteristics which are thought being responsible for the metastasis of breast cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-017-0610-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rose
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Vera Kloten
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Erik Noetzel
- Institute of Complex Systems, ICS-7: Biomechanics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Lukas Gola
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Timon Heide
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Steffen K Meurer
- Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Aljona Gaiko-Shcherbak
- Institute of Complex Systems, ICS-7: Biomechanics, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Antonio S Sechi
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering-Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Huth
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Oliver Klaas
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Antonopoulos
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Qiong Lin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering-Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering-Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wagner
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering-Cell Biology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering-Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Engineering, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Veeck
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Steitz
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ruth Knüchel
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Edgar Dahl
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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7
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von Stillfried S, Apitzsch JC, Ehling J, Penzkofer T, Mahnken AH, Knüchel R, Floege J, Boor P. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging in patients with chronic kidney disease. Angiogenesis 2016; 19:525-35. [PMID: 27582011 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-016-9524-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Renal microvascular rarefaction characterizes chronic kidney disease (CKD). In murine models of CKD, micro-CT imaging reflected capillary rarefaction using quantification of renal relative blood volume (rBV). In addition, micro-CT imaging revealed morphological alterations of the intrarenal vasculature including reduced vascular branching and lumen diameter. Here, we retrospectively quantified rBV in contrast-enhanced CT angiography in patients and found that, compared to non-CKD patients, those with CKD and renal fibrosis had significantly reduced rBV in the renal cortex. rBV values closely mirrored capillary rarefaction in the corresponding nephrectomy specimens. In patients with follow-up CT angiography, reduction of renal function was paralleled by a decline in rBV. Using virtual autopsy, i.e., postmortem CT angiography, morphometry of intrarenal arteries in 3D-rendered CT images revealed significantly reduced arterial diameter and branching in CKD compared to non-CKD cases. In conclusion, in CKD patients, contrast-enhanced CT imaging with quantification of rBV correlates with functional renal vasculature, whereas virtual autopsy allows morphometric analyses of macrovascular changes. Importantly, the observed vascular alterations in CKD patients mirror those in animals with progressive CKD, suggesting a high relevance of animal models for studying vascular alterations in CKD and renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia von Stillfried
- Institute of Pathology, Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jonas C Apitzsch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tobias Penzkofer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andreas H Mahnken
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ruth Knüchel
- Institute of Pathology, Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany. .,Department of Nephrology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
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8
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Gautheron J, Vucur M, Schneider AT, Severi I, Roderburg C, Roy S, Bartneck M, Schrammen P, Diaz MB, Ehling J, Gremse F, Heymann F, Koppe C, Lammers T, Kiessling F, Van Best N, Pabst O, Courtois G, Linkermann A, Krautwald S, Neumann UP, Tacke F, Trautwein C, Green DR, Longerich T, Frey N, Luedde M, Bluher M, Herzig S, Heikenwalder M, Luedde T. The necroptosis-inducing kinase RIPK3 dampens adipose tissue inflammation and glucose intolerance. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11869. [PMID: 27323669 PMCID: PMC4919522 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) mediates necroptosis, a form of programmed cell death that promotes inflammation in various pathological conditions, suggesting that it might be a privileged pharmacological target. However, its function in glucose homeostasis and obesity has been unknown. Here we show that RIPK3 is over expressed in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of obese mice fed with a choline-deficient high-fat diet. Genetic inactivation of Ripk3 promotes increased Caspase-8-dependent adipocyte apoptosis and WAT inflammation, associated with impaired insulin signalling in WAT as the basis for glucose intolerance. Similarly to mice, in visceral WAT of obese humans, RIPK3 is overexpressed and correlates with the body mass index and metabolic serum markers. Together, these findings provide evidence that RIPK3 in WAT maintains tissue homeostasis and suppresses inflammation and adipocyte apoptosis, suggesting that systemic targeting of necroptosis might be associated with the risk of promoting insulin resistance in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Gautheron
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Division of GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Mihael Vucur
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Division of GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Anne T Schneider
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Division of GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Ilenia Severi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Ancona, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Christoph Roderburg
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Sanchari Roy
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Division of GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Peter Schrammen
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Mauricio Berriel Diaz
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer IDC Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764 and Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine I, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Felix Heymann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Christiane Koppe
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Division of GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Niels Van Best
- Institut of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Oliver Pabst
- Institut of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Linkermann
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Stefan Krautwald
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Ulf P Neumann
- Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Douglas R Green
- Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Thomas Longerich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Mark Luedde
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Matthias Bluher
- Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Stephan Herzig
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer IDC Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg 85764 and Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine I, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany.,Division of GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen 52074, Germany
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9
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von Stillfried S, Apitzsch JC, Ehling J, Penzkofer T, Kuhl CK, Mahnken AH, Knüchel-Clarke R, Floege J, Boor P. MP281CONTRAST-ENHANCED CT IMAGING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfw188.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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10
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Ehling J, Klinkhammer BM, Sun Q, Baues M, Kiessling F, Floege J, Lammers T, Boor P. MO025NON-INVASIVE MOLECULAR IMAGING OF KIDNEY FIBROSIS. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfw134.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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11
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Bartneck M, Fech V, Ehling J, Govaere O, Warzecha KT, Hittatiya K, Vucur M, Gautheron J, Luedde T, Trautwein C, Lammers T, Roskams T, Jahnen-Dechent W, Tacke F. Histidine-rich glycoprotein promotes macrophage activation and inflammation in chronic liver disease. Hepatology 2016; 63:1310-24. [PMID: 26699087 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Pathogen- and injury-related danger signals as well as cytokines released by immune cells influence the functional differentiation of macrophages in chronic inflammation. Recently, the liver-derived plasma protein, histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), was demonstrated, in mouse tumor models, to mediate the transition of alternatively activated (M2) to proinflammatory (M1) macrophages, which limit tumor growth and metastasis. We hypothesized that liver-derived HRG is a critical endogenous modulator of hepatic macrophage functionality and investigated its implications for liver inflammation and fibrosis by comparing C57BL/6N wild-type (WT) and Hrg(-/-) mice. In homeostatic conditions, hepatic macrophages were overall reduced and preferentially polarized toward the anti-inflammatory M2 subtype in Hrg(-/-) mice. Upon chronic liver damage induced by CCl4 or methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet, liver injury and fibrosis were attenuated in Hrg(-/-) , compared to WT, mice. Macrophage populations were reduced and skewed toward M2 polarization in injured livers of Hrg(-/-) mice. Moreover, HRG-deficient mice showed significantly enhanced hepatic vascularization by micro-computed tomography and histology, corroborating proangiogenic activities of M2-polarized liver macrophages. Purified HRG protein induced, but HRG-deficient serum prevented, M1 macrophage differentiation in vitro. Accordingly, Hrg(-/-) mice transplanted with Hrg(+/+) bone marrow, but not Hrg(-/-) -transplanted Hrg(+/+) mice, remained protected from experimental steatohepatitis. Consistent with these findings, patients with chronic hepatitis C and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis significantly up-regulated hepatocytic HRG expression, which was associated with M1 polarization of adjacent macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Liver-derived HRG, similar to alarmins, appears to be an endogenous molecular factor promoting polarization of hepatic macrophages toward the M1 phenotype, thereby promoting chronic liver injury and fibrosis progression, but limiting angiogenesis. Therefore, controlling tissue levels of HRG or PGF might be a promising strategy in chronic inflammatory liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Viktor Fech
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Olivier Govaere
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Klaudia Theresa Warzecha
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Mihael Vucur
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jérémie Gautheron
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tania Roskams
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Willi Jahnen-Dechent
- Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Biointerface Laboratory, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH University-Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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12
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Ehling J, Misiewicz M, von Stillfried S, Möckel D, Bzyl J, Pochon S, Lederle W, Knuechel R, Lammers T, Palmowski M, Kiessling F. Erratum to: In situ validation of VEGFR-2 and α v ß 3 integrin as targets for breast lesion characterization. Angiogenesis 2016; 19:449. [PMID: 27025391 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-016-9507-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Misiewicz
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Diana Möckel
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jessica Bzyl
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Wiltrud Lederle
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ruth Knuechel
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Moritz Palmowski
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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13
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Ehling J, Misiewicz M, von Stillfried S, Möckel D, Bzyl J, Pochon S, Lederle W, Knuechel R, Lammers T, Palmowski M, Kiessling F. In situ validation of VEGFR-2 and α v ß 3 integrin as targets for breast lesion characterization. Angiogenesis 2016; 19:245-254. [PMID: 26902100 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-016-9499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and α v ß 3 integrin are the most frequently addressed targets in molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis. In preclinical studies, molecular imaging of angiogenesis has shown potential to detect and differentiate benign and malignant lesions of the breast. Thus, in this retrospective clinical study employing patient tissues, the diagnostic value of VEGFR-2, α v ß 3 integrin and vascular area fraction for the diagnosis and differentiation of breast neoplasia was evaluated. To this end, tissue sections of breast cancer (n = 40), pre-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; n = 8), fibroadenoma (n = 40), radial scar (n = 6) and normal breast tissue (n = 40) were used to quantify (1) endothelial VEGFR-2, (2) endothelial α v ß 3 integrin and (3) total α v ß 3 integrin expression, as well as (4) the vascular area fraction. Sensitivity and specificity to differentiate benign from malignant lesions were calculated for each marker by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses. Whereas vessel density, as commonly used, did not significantly differ between benign and malignant lesions (AUROC: 0.54), VEGFR-2 and α v ß 3 integrin levels were gradually up-regulated in carcinoma versus fibroadenoma versus healthy tissue. The highest diagnostic accuracy for differentiating carcinoma from fibroadenoma was found for total α v ß 3 integrin expression (AUROC: 0.76), followed by VEGFR-2 (AUROC: 0.71) and endothelial α v ß 3 integrin expression (AUROC: 0.68). In conclusion, total α v ß 3 integrin expression is the best discriminator between breast cancer, fibroadenoma and normal breast tissue. With respect to vascular targeting and molecular imaging of angiogenesis, endothelial VEGFR-2 appeared to be slightly superior to endothelial α v ß 3 for differentiating benign from cancerous lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Misiewicz
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Diana Möckel
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jessica Bzyl
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Wiltrud Lederle
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ruth Knuechel
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Moritz Palmowski
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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14
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Gremse F, Stärk M, Ehling J, Menzel JR, Lammers T, Kiessling F. Imalytics Preclinical: Interactive Analysis of Biomedical Volume Data. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:328-41. [PMID: 26909109 PMCID: PMC4737721 DOI: 10.7150/thno.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A software tool is presented for interactive segmentation of volumetric medical data sets. To allow interactive processing of large data sets, segmentation operations, and rendering are GPU-accelerated. Special adjustments are provided to overcome GPU-imposed constraints such as limited memory and host-device bandwidth. A general and efficient undo/redo mechanism is implemented using GPU-accelerated compression of the multiclass segmentation state. A broadly applicable set of interactive segmentation operations is provided which can be combined to solve the quantification task of many types of imaging studies. A fully GPU-accelerated ray casting method for multiclass segmentation rendering is implemented which is well-balanced with respect to delay, frame rate, worst-case memory consumption, scalability, and image quality. Performance of segmentation operations and rendering are measured using high-resolution example data sets showing that GPU-acceleration greatly improves the performance. Compared to a reference marching cubes implementation, the rendering was found to be superior with respect to rendering delay and worst-case memory consumption while providing sufficiently high frame rates for interactive visualization and comparable image quality. The fast interactive segmentation operations and the accurate rendering make our tool particularly suitable for efficient analysis of multimodal image data sets which arise in large amounts in preclinical imaging studies.
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15
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Boor P, Bábíčková J, Steegh F, Hautvast P, Martin IV, Djudjaj S, Nakagawa T, Ehling J, Gremse F, Bücher E, Eriksson U, van Roeyen CR, Eitner F, Lammers T, Floege J, Peutz-Kootstra CJ, Ostendorf T. Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-CC in Capillary Rarefaction in Renal Fibrosis. The American Journal of Pathology 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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16
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Ehling J, Bábíčková J, Gremse F, Klinkhammer BM, Baetke S, Knuechel R, Kiessling F, Floege J, Lammers T, Boor P. Quantitative Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging of Vascular Dysfunction in Progressive Kidney Diseases. J Am Soc Nephrol 2015. [PMID: 26195818 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2015020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive kidney diseases and renal fibrosis are associated with endothelial injury and capillary rarefaction. However, our understanding of these processes has been hampered by the lack of tools enabling the quantitative and noninvasive monitoring of vessel functionality. Here, we used micro-computed tomography (µCT) for anatomical and functional imaging of vascular alterations in three murine models with distinct mechanisms of progressive kidney injury: ischemia-reperfusion (I/R, days 1-56), unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO, days 1-10), and Alport mice (6-8 weeks old). Contrast-enhanced in vivo µCT enabled robust, noninvasive, and longitudinal monitoring of vessel functionality and revealed a progressive decline of the renal relative blood volume in all models. This reduction ranged from -20% in early disease stages to -61% in late disease stages and preceded fibrosis. Upon Microfil perfusion, high-resolution ex vivo µCT allowed quantitative analyses of three-dimensional vascular networks in all three models. These analyses revealed significant and previously unrecognized alterations of preglomerular arteries: a reduction in vessel diameter, a prominent reduction in vessel branching, and increased vessel tortuosity. In summary, using µCT methodology, we revealed insights into macro-to-microvascular alterations in progressive renal disease and provide a platform that may serve as the basis to evaluate vascular therapeutics in renal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Janka Bábíčková
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Felix Gremse
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Sarah Baetke
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ruth Knuechel
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands; and Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany;
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17
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Kunjachan S, Ehling J, Storm G, Kiessling F, Lammers T. Noninvasive Imaging of Nanomedicines and Nanotheranostics: Principles, Progress, and Prospects. Chem Rev 2015; 115:10907-37. [PMID: 26166537 DOI: 10.1021/cr500314d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sijumon Kunjachan
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University , Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University , Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente , P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University , Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University , Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicines and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University , Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente , P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University , Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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18
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Abstract
Persistent hepatic inflammation resulting from hepatitis B or C virus infections (HBV or HCV, respectively), obesity-associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or alcohol abuse is a hallmark feature of chronic liver diseases and appears to be an essential prerequisite of hepatocarcinogenesis. The inflammatory processes in the liver are regulated by various chemokines, which orchestrate the interaction between parenchymal liver cells, Kupffer cells (resident macrophages), hepatic stellate cells (HSC), endothelial cells, and infiltrating immune cells. In consequence, these cellular interactions result in the re-modeling of the hepatic microenvironment toward a pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic, pro-angiogenic and thus pre-neoplastic milieu. Once developed, liver neoplasms provoke pro- and anti-tumor immune responses that are also critically regulated through differential activation of chemokine pathways. With respect to hepatobiliary cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), gallbladder cancer and cholangiocellular carcinoma (cholangiocarcinoma), together belonging to the highest causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, this review article will give an overview of chemokine pathways involved in both the establishment of a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment as well as the development and progression of hepatobiliary cancer. Pharmaceutical targeting of chemokine pathways is a promising approach to treat or even prevent hepatobiliary cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany.
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Al Rawashdeh W, Arns S, Gremse F, Ehling J, Knüchel-Clarke R, Kray S, Spöler F, Kiessling F, Lederle W. Optical tomography of MMP activity allows a sensitive noninvasive characterization of the invasiveness and angiogenesis of SCC xenografts. Neoplasia 2015; 16:235-46, 246.e1. [PMID: 24784000 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2014.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
For improved tumor staging and therapy control, imaging biomarkers are of great interest allowing a noninvasive characterization of invasiveness. In squamous epithelial skin and cervix lesions, transition to invasive stages is associated with enhanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, increased angiogenesis, and worsened prognosis. Thus, we investigated MMP activity as imaging biomarker of invasiveness and the potential of optical tomography in characterizing the angiogenic and invasive behavior of skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) xenografts. MMP activity was measured in vivo in HaCaT-ras A-5RT3 tumors at different angiogenic and invasive stages (onset of angiogenesis, intermediate and highly angiogenic, invasive stage) and after 1 week of sunitinib treatment by fluorescence molecular tomography-microcomputed tomography imaging using an activatable probe. Treatment response was additionally assessed morphologically by optical coherence tomography (OCT). In vivo MMP activity significantly differed between the groups, revealing highest levels in the highly angiogenic, invasive tumors that were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. At the onset of angiogenesis with lowest MMP activity, fibroblasts were detected in the MMP-positive areas, whereas macrophages were absent. Accumulation of both cell types occurred in both invasive groups, again to a significantly higher degree at the most invasive and angiogenic stage. Sunitinib treatment significantly reduced the MMP activity and accumulation of fibroblasts and macrophages and blocked tumor invasion that was additionally visualized by OCT. Human cervical SCCs also showed high MMP activity and a similar stromal composition as the HaCaT xenografts, whereas normal tissue was negative. This study strongly suggests MMP activity as imaging biomarker and demonstrates the high sensitivity of optical tomography in determining tumor invasiveness that can morphologically be supported by OCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa'el Al Rawashdeh
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Susanne Arns
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ruth Knüchel-Clarke
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Kray
- Institute for Semiconductor Electronics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix Spöler
- Institute for Semiconductor Electronics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wiltrud Lederle
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Shi Y, van der Meel R, Theek B, Blenke EO, Pieters EH, Fens MH, Ehling J, Schiffelers RM, Storm G, van Nostrum CF, Lammers T, Hennink WE. Complete Regression of Xenograft Tumors upon Targeted Delivery of Paclitaxel via Π-Π Stacking Stabilized Polymeric Micelles. ACS Nano 2015; 9:3740-52. [PMID: 25831471 PMCID: PMC4523313 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of cancer patients with taxane-based chemotherapeutics, such as paclitaxel (PTX), is complicated by their narrow therapeutic index. Polymeric micelles are attractive nanocarriers for tumor-targeted delivery of PTX, as they can be tailored to encapsulate large amounts of hydrophobic drugs and achiv prolonged circulation kinetics. As a result, PTX deposition in tumors is increased, while drug exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. However, many PTX-loaded micelle formulations suffer from low stability and fast drug release in the circulation, limiting their suitability for systemic drug targeting. To overcome these limitations, we have developed PTX-loaded micelles which are stable without chemical cross-linking and covalent drug attachment. These micelles are characterized by excellent loading capacity and strong drug retention, attributed to π-π stacking interaction between PTX and the aromatic groups of the polymer chains in the micellar core. The micelles are based on methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(N-(2-benzoyloxypropyl)methacrylamide) (mPEG-b-p(HPMAm-Bz)) block copolymers, which improved the pharmacokinetics and the biodistribution of PTX, and substantially increased PTX tumor accumulation (by more than 2000%; as compared to Taxol or control micellar formulations). Improved biodistribution and tumor accumulation were confirmed by hybrid μCT-FMT imaging using near-infrared labeled micelles and payload. The PTX-loaded micelles were well tolerated at different doses, while they induced complete tumor regression in two different xenograft models (i.e., A431 and MDA-MB-468). Our findings consequently indicate that π-π stacking-stabilized polymeric micelles are promising carriers to improve the delivery of highly hydrophobic drugs to tumors and to increase their therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roy van der Meel
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin Theek
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Erik Oude Blenke
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ebel H.E. Pieters
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel H.A.M. Fens
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Raymond M. Schiffelers
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelus F. van Nostrum
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Lammers T, Koczera P, Fokong S, Gremse F, Ehling J, Vogt M, Pich A, Storm G, van Zandvoort M, Kiessling F. Theranostic USPIO-Loaded Microbubbles for Mediating and Monitoring Blood-Brain Barrier Permeation. Adv Funct Mater 2015; 25:36-43. [PMID: 25729344 PMCID: PMC4340520 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201401199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Efficient and safe drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains to be one of the major challenges of biomedical and (nano-) pharmaceutical research. Here, we show that poly(butyl cyanoacrylate)-based microbubbles (MB), carrying ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles within their shell, can be used to mediate and monitor BBB permeation. Upon exposure to transcranial ultrasound pulses, USPIO-MB are destroyed, resulting in acoustic forces inducing vessel permeability. At the same time, USPIO are released from the MB shell, they extravasate across the permeabilized BBB and they accumulate in extravascular brain tissue, thereby providing non-invasive R2*-based magnetic resonance imaging information on the extent of BBB opening. Quantitative changes in R2* relaxometry were in good agreement with 2D and 3D microscopy results on the extravascular deposition of the macromolecular model drug FITC-dextran into the brain. Such theranostic materials and methods are considered to be useful for mediating and monitoring drug delivery across the BBB, and for enabling safe and efficient treatment of CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Koczera
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany) Tel: +49-241-8080116; Fax: +49-241-803380116
| | - Stanley Fokong
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany) Tel: +49-241-8080116; Fax: +49-241-803380116
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany) Tel: +49-241-8080116; Fax: +49-241-803380116
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany) Tel: +49-241-8080116; Fax: +49-241-803380116
| | - Michael Vogt
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) University Clinic, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (Germany)
| | - Andrij Pich
- Functional and Interactive Polymers, DWI, Leibniz Centre for Interactive Materials RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (Germany)
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Controlled Drug Delivery MIRA Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Technical Medicine University of Twente, Enschede (The Netherlands); Department of Pharmaceutics Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences Utrecht University, Utrecht (The Netherlands)
| | - Marc van Zandvoort
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR) University Clinic, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (Germany); Department of Genetics and Cell Biology Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) Maastricht University, Maastricht (The Netherlands)
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Ehling J, Bartneck M, Wei X, Gremse F, Fech V, Möckel D, Baeck C, Hittatiya K, Eulberg D, Luedde T, Kiessling F, Trautwein C, Lammers T, Tacke F. CCL2-dependent infiltrating macrophages promote angiogenesis in progressive liver fibrosis. Gut 2014; 63:1960-1971. [PMID: 24561613 PMCID: PMC4216733 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In chronic liver injury, angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, may contribute to progressive hepatic fibrosis and to development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although hypoxia-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) occurs in advanced fibrosis, we hypothesised that inflammation may endorse hepatic angiogenesis already at early stages of fibrosis. DESIGN Angiogenesis in livers of c57BL/6 mice upon carbon tetrachloride- or bile duct ligation-induced chronic hepatic injury was non-invasively monitored using in vivo contrast-enhanced micro computed tomography (µCT) and ex vivo anatomical µCT after hepatic Microfil perfusion. Functional contributions of monocyte-derived macrophage subsets for angiogenesis were explored by pharmacological inhibition of CCL2 using the Spiegelmer mNOX-E36. RESULTS Contrast-enhanced in vivo µCT imaging allowed non-invasive monitoring of the close correlation of angiogenesis, reflected by functional hepatic blood vessel expansion, with experimental fibrosis progression. On a cellular level, inflammatory monocyte-derived macrophages massively accumulated in injured livers, colocalised with newly formed vessels in portal tracts and exhibited pro-angiogenic gene profiles including upregulated VEGF and MMP9. Functional in vivo and anatomical ex vivo µCT analyses demonstrated that inhibition of monocyte infiltration by targeting the chemokine CCL2 prevented fibrosis-associated angiogenesis, but not fibrosis progression. Monocyte-derived macrophages primarily fostered sprouting angiogenesis within the portal vein tract. Portal vein diameter as a measure of portal hypertension depended on fibrosis, but not on angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Inflammation-associated angiogenesis is promoted by CCL2-dependent monocytes during fibrosis progression. Innovative in vivo µCT methodology can accurately monitor angiogenesis and antiangiogenic therapy effects in experimental liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
,Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Xiao Wei
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Viktor Fech
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Diana Möckel
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christer Baeck
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
,Department of Targeted Therapeutics, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
,Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. Dr. Frank Tacke, Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany, Phone: +49-241-8035101, Fax: +49-241-8082455, ; Dr. Dr. Twan Lammers, Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany, Phone: +49-241-8080116, Fax: +49-241-8082006,
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany
,Address for correspondence: Prof. Dr. Dr. Frank Tacke, Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany, Phone: +49-241-8035101, Fax: +49-241-8082455, ; Dr. Dr. Twan Lammers, Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Medical Faculty of the RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany, Phone: +49-241-8080116, Fax: +49-241-8082006,
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23
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Schwen LO, Wei W, Gremse F, Ehling J, Wang L, Dahmen U, Preusser T. Algorithmically generated rodent hepatic vascular trees in arbitrary detail. J Theor Biol 2014; 365:289-300. [PMID: 25451523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Physiologically realistic geometric models of the vasculature in the liver are indispensable for modelling hepatic blood flow, the main connection between the liver and the organism. Current in vivo imaging techniques do not provide sufficiently detailed vascular trees for many simulation applications, so it is necessary to use algorithmic refinement methods. The method of Constrained Constructive Optimization (CCO) (Schreiner et al., 2006) is well suited for this purpose. Its results after calibration have been previously compared to experimentally acquired human vascular trees (Schwen and Preusser, 2012). The goal of this paper is to extend this calibration to the case of rodents (mice and rats), the most commonly used animal models in liver research. Based on in vivo and ex vivo micro-CT scans of rodent livers and their vasculature, we performed an analysis of various geometric features of the vascular trees. Starting from pruned versions of the original vascular trees, we applied the CCO procedure and compared these algorithmic results to the original vascular trees using a suitable similarity measure. The calibration of the postprocessing improved the algorithmic results compared to those obtained using standard CCO. In terms of angular features, the average similarity increased from 0.27 to 0.61, improving the total similarity from 0.28 to 0.40. Finally, we applied the calibrated algorithm to refine measured vascular trees to the (higher) level of detail desired for specific applications. Having successfully adapted the CCO algorithm to the rodent model organism, the resulting individual-specific refined hepatic vascular trees can now be used for advanced modeling involving, e.g., detailed blood flow simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Ole Schwen
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Universitätsallee 29, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Weiwei Wei
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Drackendorfer Str. 1, 07747 Jena, Germany.
| | - Felix Gremse
- Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Josef Ehling
- Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Lei Wang
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Universitätsallee 29, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Uta Dahmen
- Department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Jena, Drackendorfer Str. 1, 07747 Jena, Germany.
| | - Tobias Preusser
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Universitätsallee 29, 28359 Bremen, Germany; School of Engineering and Science, Jacobs University, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany.
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24
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Abstract
Advances in nanotechnology and chemical engineering have led to the development of many different drug delivery systems. These 1-100(0) nm-sized carrier materials aim to increase drug concentrations at the pathological site, while avoiding their accumulation in healthy non-target tissues, thereby improving the balance between the efficacy and the toxicity of systemic (chemo-) therapeutic interventions. An important advantage of such nanocarrier materials is the ease of incorporating both diagnostic and therapeutic entities within a single formulation, enabling them to be used for theranostic purposes. We here describe the basic principles of using nanomaterials for targeting therapeutic and diagnostic agents to pathological sites, and we discuss how nanotheranostics and image-guided drug delivery can be used to personalize nanomedicine treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Theek
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH - Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Larissa Y Rizzo
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH - Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH - Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH - Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH - Aachen University, Aachen, Germany ; Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Department of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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25
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Theek B, Gremse F, Kunjachan S, Fokong S, Pola R, Pechar M, Deckers R, Storm G, Ehling J, Kiessling F, Lammers T. Characterizing EPR-mediated passive drug targeting using contrast-enhanced functional ultrasound imaging. J Control Release 2014; 182:83-9. [PMID: 24631862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect is extensively used in drug delivery research. Taking into account that EPR is a highly variable phenomenon, we have here set out to evaluate if contrast-enhanced functional ultrasound (ceUS) imaging can be employed to characterize EPR-mediated passive drug targeting to tumors. Using standard fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) and two different protocols for hybrid computed tomography-fluorescence molecular tomography (CT-FMT), the tumor accumulation of a ~10 nm-sized near-infrared-fluorophore-labeled polymeric drug carrier (pHPMA-Dy750) was evaluated in CT26 tumor-bearing mice. In the same set of animals, two different ceUS techniques (2D MIOT and 3D B-mode imaging) were employed to assess tumor vascularization. Subsequently, the degree of tumor vascularization was correlated with the degree of EPR-mediated drug targeting. Depending on the optical imaging protocol used, the tumor accumulation of the polymeric drug carrier ranged from 5 to 12% of the injected dose. The degree of tumor vascularization, determined using ceUS, varied from 4 to 11%. For both hybrid CT-FMT protocols, a good correlation between the degree of tumor vascularization and the degree of tumor accumulation was observed, within the case of reconstructed CT-FMT, correlation coefficients of ~0.8 and p-values of <0.02. These findings indicate that ceUS can be used to characterize and predict EPR, and potentially also to pre-select patients likely to respond to passively tumor-targeted nanomedicine treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Theek
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sijumon Kunjachan
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stanley Fokong
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Pola
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Pechar
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Roel Deckers
- Imaging Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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26
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Mertens ME, Hermann A, Bühren A, Olde-Damink L, Möckel D, Gremse F, Ehling J, Kiessling F, Lammers T. Iron Oxide-labeled Collagen Scaffolds for Non-invasive MR Imaging in Tissue Engineering. Adv Funct Mater 2014; 24:754-762. [PMID: 24569840 PMCID: PMC3837415 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201301275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive imaging holds significant potential for implementation in tissue engineering. It can e.g. be used to monitor the localization and function of tissue-engineered implants, as well as their resorption and remodelling. Thus far, however, the vast majority of efforts in this area of research have focused on the use of ultrasmall super-paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticle-labeled cells, colonizing the scaffolds, to indirectly image the implant material. Reasoning that directly labeling scaffold materials might be more beneficial (enabling imaging also in case of non-cellularized implants), more informative (enabling the non-invasive visualization and quantification of scaffold degradation) and more easy to translate into the clinic (since cell-free materials are less complex from a regulatory point-of-view), we here prepared three different types of USPIO nanoparticles, and incorporated them both passively and actively (via chemical conjugation; during collagen crosslinking) into collagen-based scaffold materials. We furthermore optimized the amount of USPIO incorporated into the scaffolds, correlated the amount of entrapped USPIO with MR signal intensity, showed that the labeled scaffolds are highly biocompatible, demonstrated that scaffold degradation can be visualized using MRI and provided initial proof-of-principle for the in vivo visualization of the scaffolds. Consequently, USPIO-labeled scaffold materials seem to be highly suitable for image-guided tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E. Mertens
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH - Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany)
| | - Alina Hermann
- Matricel GmbH Kaiserstraße 100 52134 Herzogenrath (Germany)
| | - Anne Bühren
- Matricel GmbH Kaiserstraße 100 52134 Herzogenrath (Germany)
| | | | - Diana Möckel
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH - Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany)
| | - Felix Gremse
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH - Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany)
| | - Josef Ehling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH - Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany)
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Department for Experimental Molecular Imaging University Clinic and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering RWTH - Aachen University Pauwelsstrasse 20, 52074 Aachen (Germany)
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27
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Kunjachan S, Pola R, Gremse F, Theek B, Ehling J, Moeckel D, Hermanns-Sachweh B, Pechar M, Ulbrich K, Hennink WE, Storm G, Lederle W, Kiessling F, Lammers T. Passive versus active tumor targeting using RGD- and NGR-modified polymeric nanomedicines. Nano Lett 2014; 14:972-81. [PMID: 24422585 PMCID: PMC3940962 DOI: 10.1021/nl404391r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) and the (over-) expression of angiogenesis-related surface receptors are key features of tumor blood vessels. As a consequence, EPR-mediated passive and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) based active tumor targeting have received considerable attention in the last couple of years. Using several different in vivo and ex vivo optical imaging techniques, we here visualized and quantified the benefit of RGD- and NGR-based vascular vs EPR-mediated passive tumor targeting. This was done using ∼ 10 nm sized polymeric nanocarriers, which were either labeled with DY-676 (peptide-modified polymers) or with DY-750 (peptide-free polymers). Upon coinjection into mice bearing both highly leaky CT26 and poorly leaky BxPC3 tumors, it was found that vascular targeting did work, resulting in rapid and efficient early binding to tumor blood vessels, but that over time, passive targeting was significantly more efficient, leading to higher overall levels and to more efficient retention within tumors. Although this situation might be different for larger carrier materials, these insights indicate that caution should be taken not to overestimate the potential of active over passive tumor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijumon Kunjachan
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Robert Pola
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Square 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Felix Gremse
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Theek
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Josef Ehling
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Diana Moeckel
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Benita Hermanns-Sachweh
- Electron Microscopy, Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Michal Pechar
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Square 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Ulbrich
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Square 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Wim E. Hennink
- Dept. of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Storm
- Dept. of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Dept. of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Wiltrud Lederle
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabian Kiessling
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Twan Lammers
- Dept. of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Dept. of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Dept. of Controlled Drug Delivery, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Kramann R, Kunter U, Brandenburg VM, Leisten I, Ehling J, Klinkhammer BM, Knüchel R, Floege J, Schneider RK. Osteogenesis of heterotopically transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells in rat models of chronic kidney disease. J Bone Miner Res 2013; 28:2523-34. [PMID: 23703894 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The current study is based on the hypothesis of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) contributing to soft-tissue calcification and ectopic osteogenesis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Rat MSCs were transplanted intraperitoneally in an established three-dimensional collagen-based model in healthy control animals and two rat models of CKD and vascular calcification: (1) 5/6 nephrectomy + high phosphorus diet; and (2) adenine nephropathy. As internal controls, collagen gels without MSCs were transplanted in the same animals. After 4 and 8 weeks, MSCs were still detectable and proliferating in the collagen gels (fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS] analysis and confocal microscopy after fluorescence labeling of the cells). Aortas and MSC-containing collagen gels in CKD animals showed distinct similarities in calcification (micro-computed tomography [µCT], energy-dispersive X-ray [EDX] analysis, calcium content), induction of osteogenic markers, (ie, bone morphogenic protein 2 [BMP-2], Runt related transcription factor 2 [Runx2], alkaline phosphatase [ALP]), upregulation of the osteocytic marker sclerostin and extracellular matrix remodeling with increased expression of osteopontin, collagen I/III/IV, fibronectin, and laminin. Calcification, osteogenesis, and matrix remodeling were never observed in healthy control animals and non-MSC-containing collagen gels in all groups. Paul Karl Horan 26 (PKH-26)-labeled, 3G5-positive MSCs expressed Runx2 and sclerostin in CKD animals whereas PKH-26-negative migrated cells did not express osteogenic markers. In conclusion, heterotopically implanted MSCs undergo osteogenic differentiation in rat models of CKD-induced vascular calcification, supporting our hypothesis of MSCs as possible players in heterotopic calcification processes of CKD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Kramann
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Ehling J, Bartneck M, Fech V, Butzbach B, Cesati R, Botnar R, Lammers T, Tacke F. Elastin-based molecular MRI of liver fibrosis. Hepatology 2013; 58:1517-8. [PMID: 23424008 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Kanlaya R, Sintiprungrat K, Thongboonkerd V, Torremade N, Bindels R, Hoenderop J, Fernandez E, Dusso A, Valdivielso JM, Krueger T, Boor P, Schafer C, Westenfeld R, Brandenburg V, Schlieper G, Jahnen-Dechent W, Ketteler M, Jee W, Li X, Richards B, Floege J, Goncalves JG, Canale D, de Braganca AC, Shimizu MHM, Moyses RMA, Andrade L, Seguro AC, Volpini RA, Romoli S, Migliorini A, Anders HJ, Eskova O, Neprintseva N, Tchebotareva N, Bobkova I, Kozlovskaya L, Simic I, Tabatabaeifar M, Wlodkowski T, Denc H, Mollet G, Antignac C, Schaefer F, Ekaterina IA, Giardino L, Rastaldi MP, Van den Heuvel L, Levtchenko E, Okina C, Okamoto T, Kamata M, Murano J, Kobayashi K, Takeuchi K, Kamata F, Sakai T, Naito S, Aoyama T, Sano T, Takeuchi Y, Kamata K, Thomasova D, Bruns HA, Liapis H, Anders HJ, Iwashita T, Hasegawa H, Takayanagi K, Shimizu T, Asakura J, Okazaki S, Kogure Y, Hatano M, Hara H, Inamura M, Iwanaga M, Mitani T, Mitarai T, Savin VJ, Sharma M, Wei C, Reiser J, McCarthy ET, Sharma R, Gauchat JF, Eneman B, Freson K, Van den Heuvel L, Van Geet C, Levtchenko E, Choi DE, Jeong JY, Chang YK, Na KR, Lee KW, Shin YT, Ni HF, Chen JF, Zhang MH, Pan MM, Liu BC, Lee KW, Jeong JY, Choi DE, Chang YK, Kim SS, Na KR, Shin YT, Suzuki T, Iyoda M, Matsumoto K, Shindo-Hirai Y, Kuno Y, Wada Y, Yamamoto Y, Shibata T, Akizawa T, Munoz-Felix JM, Lopez-Novoa JM, Martinez-Salgado C, Ehling J, Babickova J, Gremse F, Kiessling F, Floege J, Lammers T, Boor P, Lech M, Gunthner R, Lorenz G, Ryu M, Grobmayr R, Susanti H, Kobayashi KS, Flavell RA, Anders HJ, Rayego-Mateos S, Morgado J, Sanz AB, Eguchi S, Pato J, Keri G, Egido J, Ortiz A, Ruiz-Ortega M, Leduc M, Geerts L, Grouix B, Sarra-Bournet F, Felton A, Gervais L, Abbott S, Duceppe JS, Zacharie B, Penney C, Laurin P, Gagnon L, Detsika MG, Duann P, Lianos EA, Leong KI, Chiang CK, Yang CC, Wu CT, Chen LP, Hung KY, Liu SH, Carvalho FF, Teixeira VP, Almeida WS, Schor N, Small DM, Bennett NC, Coombes J, Johnson DW, Gobe GC, Montero N, Prada A, Riera M, Orfila M, Pascual J, Rodriguez E, Barrios C, Kokeny G, Fazekas K, Rosivall L, Mozes MM, Munoz-Felix JM, Lopez-Novoa JM, Martinez-Salgado C, Hornigold N, Hughes J, Mooney A, Benardeau A, Riboulet W, Vandjour A, Jacobsen B, Apfel C, Conde-Knape K, Grouix B, Felton A, Sarra-Bournet F, Leduc M, Geerts L, Gervais L, Abbott S, Bienvenu JF, Duceppe JS, Zacharie B, Penney C, Laurin P, Gagnon L, Tanaka T, Yamaguchi J, Nangaku M, Niwa T, Bolati D, Shimizu H, Yisireyili M, Nishijima F, Brocca A, Virzi G, de Cal M, Ronco C, Priante G, Musacchio E, Valvason C, Sartori L, Piccoli A, Baggio B, Boor P, Perkuhn M, Weibrecht M, Zok S, Martin IV, Schoth F, Ostendorf T, Kuhl C, Floege J, Karabaeva A, Essaian A, Beresneva O, Parastaeva M, Kayukov I, Smirnov A, Audzeyenka I, Kasztan M, Piwkowska A, Rogacka D, Angielski S, Jankowski M, Bockmeyer CL, Kokowicz K, Agustian PA, Zell S, Wittig J, Becker JU, Nishizono R, Venkatareddy MP, Chowdhury MA, Wang SQ, Fukuda A, Wickman LT, Yang Y, Wiggins RC, Fazio MR, Donato V, Lucisano S, Cernaro V, Lupica R, Trimboli D, Montalto G, Aloisi C, Mazzeo AT, Buemi M, Gawrys O, Olszynski KH, Kuczeriszka M, Gawarecka K, Swiezewska E, Chmielewski M, Masnyk M, Rafalowska J, Kompanowska-Jezierska E, Lee WC, Chau YY, Lee LC, Chiu CH, Lee CT, Chen JB, Kim WK, Shin SJ. Experimental models of CKD. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gft114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Ehling J, Lammers T, Kiessling F. Non-invasive imaging for studying anti-angiogenic therapy effects. Thromb Haemost 2013; 109:375-90. [PMID: 23407722 DOI: 10.1160/th12-10-0721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive imaging plays an emerging role in preclinical and clinical cancer research and has high potential to improve clinical translation of new drugs. This article summarises and discusses tools and methods to image tumour angiogenesis and monitor anti-angiogenic therapy effects. In this context, micro-computed tomography (µCT) is recommended to visualise and quantify the micro-architecture of functional tumour vessels. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are favourable tools to assess functional vascular parameters, such as perfusion and relative blood volume. These functional parameters have been shown to indicate anti-angiogenic therapy response at an early stage, before changes in tumour size appear. For tumour characterisation, the imaging of the molecular characteristics of tumour blood vessels, such as receptor expression, might have an even higher diagnostic potential and has been shown to be highly suitable for therapy monitoring as well. In this context, US using targeted microbubbles is currently evaluated in clinical trials as an important tool for the molecular characterisation of the angiogenic endothelium. Other modalities, being preferably used for molecular imaging of vessels and their surrounding stroma, are photoacoustic imaging (PAI), near-infrared fluorescence optical imaging (OI), MRI, positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The latter two are particularly useful if very high sensitivity is needed, and/or if the molecular target is difficult to access. Carefully considering the pros and cons of different imaging modalities in a multimodal imaging setup enables a comprehensive longitudinal assessment of the (micro)morphology, function and molecular regulation of tumour vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Ehling
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging, Medical Faculty and Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Bartneck M, Ritz T, Keul HA, Wambach M, Bornemann J, Gbureck U, Ehling J, Lammers T, Heymann F, Gassler N, Lüdde T, Trautwein C, Groll J, Tacke F. Peptide-functionalized gold nanorods increase liver injury in hepatitis. ACS Nano 2012; 6:8767-77. [PMID: 22994679 DOI: 10.1021/nn302502u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Targeted nanomedicine holds enormous potential for advanced diagnostics and therapy. Although it is known that nanoparticles accumulate in liver in vivo, the impact of cell-targeting particles on the liver, especially in disease conditions, is largely obscure. We had previously demonstrated that peptide-conjugated nanoparticles differentially impact macrophage activation in vitro. We thus comprehensively studied the distribution of gold nanorods (AuNR) in mice in vivo and assessed their hepatotoxicity and impact on systemic and hepatic immune cells in healthy animals and experimental liver disease models. Gold nanorods were stabilized with either cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or poly(ethylene glycol) and additional bioactive tripeptides RGD or GLF. Gold nanorods mostly accumulated in liver upon systemic injection in mice, as evidenced by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry from different organs and by non-invasive microcomputerized tomography whole-body imaging. In liver, AuNR were only found in macrophages by seedless deposition and electron microscopy. In healthy animals, AuNR did not cause significant hepatotoxicity as evidenced by biochemical and histological analyses, even at high AuNR doses. However, flow cytometry and gene expression studies revealed that AuNR polarized hepatic macrophages, even at low doses, dependent on the respective peptide sequence, toward M1 or M2 activation. While peptide-modified AuNR did not influence liver scarring, termed fibrosis, in chronic hepatic injury models, AuNR-induced preactivation of hepatic macrophages significantly exacerbated liver damage and disease activity in experimental immune-mediated hepatitis in mice. Bioactively targeted gold nanoparticles are thus potentially harmful in clinically relevant settings of liver injury, as they can aggravate hepatitis severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Medicine III, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Bzyl J, Palmowski M, Rix A, Arns S, Hyvelin JM, Pochon S, Ehling J, Schrading S, Kiessling F, Lederle W. The high angiogenic activity in very early breast cancer enables reliable imaging with VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles (BR55). Eur Radiol 2012; 23:468-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-012-2594-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Revised: 06/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Liehn EA, Tuchscheerer N, Kanzler I, Drechsler M, Fraemohs L, Schuh A, Koenen RR, Zander S, Soehnlein O, Hristov M, Grigorescu G, Urs AO, Leabu M, Bucur I, Merx MW, Zernecke A, Ehling J, Gremse F, Lammers T, Kiessling F, Bernhagen J, Schober A, Weber C. Double-Edged Role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis in Experimental Myocardial Infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol 2011; 58:2415-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2011.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2011] [Revised: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Liu Z, Lammers T, Ehling J, Fokong S, Bornemann J, Kiessling F, Gätjens J. Iron oxide nanoparticle-containing microbubble composites as contrast agents for MR and ultrasound dual-modality imaging. Biomaterials 2011; 32:6155-63. [PMID: 21632103 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) imaging are widely used diagnostic modalities for various experimental and clinical applications. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticle-embedded polymeric microbubbles were designed as multi-modal contrast agents for hybrid MR-US imaging. These magnetic nano-in-micro imaging probes were prepared via a one-pot emulsion polymerization to form poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) microbubbles, along with the oil-in-water (O/W) encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles in the bubble shell. The nano-in-micro embedding strategy was validated using NMR and electron microscopy. These hybrid imaging agents exhibited strong contrast in US and an increased transversal relaxation rate in MR. Moreover, a significant increase in longitudinal and transversal relaxivities was observed after US-induced bubble destruction, which demonstrated triggerable MR imaging properties. Proof-of-principle in vivo experiments confirmed that these nanoparticle-embedded microbubble composites are suitable contrast agents for both MR and US imaging. In summary, these magnetic nano-in-micro hybrid materials are highly interesting systems for bimodal MR-US imaging, and their enhanced relaxivities upon US-induced destruction recommend them as potential vehicles for MR-guided US-mediated drug and gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Liu
- Department of Experimental Molecular Imaging (ExMI), Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
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Reinartz A, Ehling J, Franz S, Simon V, Bravo IG, Tessmer C, Zentgraf H, Lyer S, Schneider U, Köster J, Raupach K, Kämmerer E, Klaus C, Tischendorf JJW, Kopitz J, Alonso A, Gassler N. Small intestinal mucosa expression of putative chaperone fls485. BMC Gastroenterol 2010; 10:27. [PMID: 20205943 PMCID: PMC2838759 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-10-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2009] [Accepted: 03/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maturation of enterocytes along the small intestinal crypt-villus axis is associated with significant changes in gene expression profiles. fls485 coding a putative chaperone protein has been recently suggested as a gene involved in this process. The aim of the present study was to analyze fls485 expression in human small intestinal mucosa. Methods fls485 expression in purified normal or intestinal mucosa affected with celiac disease was investigated with a molecular approach including qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and expression strategies. Molecular data were corroborated with several in situ techniques and usage of newly synthesized mouse monoclonal antibodies. Results fls485 mRNA expression was preferentially found in enterocytes and chromaffine cells of human intestinal mucosa as well as in several cell lines including Rko, Lovo, and CaCo2 cells. Western blot analysis with our new anti-fls485 antibodies revealed at least two fls485 proteins. In a functional CaCo2 model, an increase in fls485 expression was paralleled by cellular maturation stage. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated fls485 as a cytosolic protein with a slightly increasing expression gradient along the crypt-villus axis which was impaired in celiac disease Marsh IIIa-c. Conclusions Expression and synthesis of fls485 are found in surface lining epithelia of normal human intestinal mucosa and deriving epithelial cell lines. An interdependence of enterocyte differentiation along the crypt-villus axis and fls485 chaperone activity might be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Reinartz
- Institute of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Gaisa NT, Köster J, Reinartz A, Ertmer K, Ehling J, Raupach K, Perez-Bouza A, Knüchel R, Gassler N. Expression of acyl-CoA synthetase 5 in human epidermis. Histol Histopathol 2008; 23:451-8. [PMID: 18228202 DOI: 10.14670/hh-23.451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The human epidermis is characterized by a constant renewal of keratinocytes embedded in a matrix enriched with lipids. Numerous proteins involved in lipid metabolism are found in human epidermis, especially in keratinocytes. Long-chain acyl-CoA derivatives, which are catalyzed by human ACSL5, are important metabolites in several biochemical pathways, including ceramide de novo synthesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate expression of acyl-CoA synthetase isoform 5 (ACSL5) in human epidermis by an in situ, as well as a molecular approach. We show that ACSL5 mRNA and protein are found in human epidermis, as well as in non-differentiated and differentiated HaCaT cells. Keratinocytes of stratum spinosum are the main source for ACSL5 expression in both meshed facial or abdominal skin and ridged skin of upper or lower extremities including TUNEL-positive cells in upper cellular layers. Single keratinocytes of chronic solar-exposed meshed facial epidermis occasionally display a stronger ACSL5 immunostaining. In conclusion, our study indicates that epidermal ACSL5 expression might be involved in differentiation and the stress response of keratinocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- N T Gaisa
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Pathology, Aachen, Germany
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Ehling J, Wessel HJ, Schüren KP. [Sensitivity of the dipyridamole test. A placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1984; 109:1481-5. [PMID: 6383763 DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1069398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The sensitivity of the dipyridamole test was examined with the double-blind crossover technique in 30 patients with 2 or 3 coronary vessels disease, treatment-refractory stable angina and positive exercise ECG tests. On two successive days, according to a randomized code, patients received either 0.5 mg/kg dipyridamole or a placebo, both given intravenously. The test was judged to be positive if during or immediately after the injection typical angina occurred which regressed after the subsequent intravenous injection of 0.24 g aminophylline within 3 minutes, or if the ECG showed signs of acute ischemia. The test was judged to be questionably positive if the anginal symptoms regressed spontaneously or later than 3 minutes after aminophylline injection. In a total of 13 of 30 patients (43%) the dipyridamole test was positive, while in a further 4 (13%) it was questionably positive. Ischemic repolarization abnormalities occurred in 9 patients; 5 of them also had positive test signs of angina, in 2 each the results were questionably positive or negative. In 13 patients there were neither anginal symptoms nor ECG changes. Thus the dipyridamole test with its low sensitivity is not suitable for the initial routine diagnosis of coronary heart disease.
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