1
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Rallapalli H, McCall EC, Koretsky AP. Genetic control of MRI contrast using the manganese transporter Zip14. Magn Reson Med 2024; 92:820-835. [PMID: 38573932 PMCID: PMC11142883 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gene-expression reporter systems, such as green fluorescent protein, have been instrumental to understanding biological processes in living organisms at organ system, tissue, cell, and molecular scales. More than 30 years of work on developing MRI-visible gene-expression reporter systems has resulted in a variety of clever application-specific methods. However, these techniques have not yet been widely adopted, so a general-purpose expression reporter is still required. Here, we demonstrate that the manganese ion transporter Zip14 is an in vivo MRI-visible, flexible, and robust gene-expression reporter to meet this need. METHODS Plasmid constructs consisting of a cell type-specific promoter, gene coding for human Zip14, and a histology-visible tag were packaged into adeno-associated viruses. These viruses were intracranially injected into the mouse brain. Serial in vivo MRI was performed using a vendor-supplied 3D-MPRAGE sequence. No additional contrast agents were administered. Animals were sacrificed after the last imaging timepoint for immunohistological validation. RESULTS Neuron-specific overexpression of Zip14 produced substantial and long-lasting changes in MRI contrast. Using appropriate viruses enabled both anterograde and retrograde neural tracing. Expression of Zip14 in astrocytes also enabled MRI of glia populations in the living mammalian brain. CONCLUSIONS The flexibility of this system as an MRI-visible gene-expression reporter will enable many applications of serial, high-resolution imaging of gene expression for basic science and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harikrishna Rallapalli
- Section on Plasticity and Imaging of the Nervous System, NINDS/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Eleanor C McCall
- Section on Plasticity and Imaging of the Nervous System, NINDS/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alan P Koretsky
- Section on Plasticity and Imaging of the Nervous System, NINDS/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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2
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Wu Y, Minoshima M, Kikuchi K. Development of elliptic core-shell nanoparticles with fluorinated surfactants for 19F MRI. Front Chem 2024; 12:1408509. [PMID: 38933928 PMCID: PMC11199681 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1408509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Perfluorocarbon-encapsulated silica nanoparticles possess attractive features such as biological inertness and favorable colloidal properties for bioimaging with fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI). Herein, a series of elliptic shaped silica nanoparticles with perfluorocarbon liquid perfluoro-15-crown-5 ether as core (PFCE@SiO2) were synthesized using fluorinated surfactants N-(perfluorononylmethyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (C10-TAC) and N-(perfluoroheptylmethyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (C8-TAC). The nanoparticles are characterized to obtain elliptic core-shell structures. PFCE@SiO2 showed strong 19F NMR signals of the encapsulated PFCE, indicating the potential as a highly sensitive 19F MRI probe. These elliptic PFCE@SiO2 nanoparticles provide a new option of 19F MRI probe with a morphology different from conventional nanospheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Masafumi Minoshima
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agency PRESTO, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kikuchi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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3
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Cosco ED, Bogyo M. Recent advances in ratiometric fluorescence imaging of enzyme activity in vivo. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2024; 80:102441. [PMID: 38457961 PMCID: PMC11164639 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.102441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Among molecular imaging modalities that can monitor enzyme activity in vivo, optical imaging provides sensitive, molecular-level information at low-cost using safe and non-ionizing wavelengths of light. Yet, obtaining quantifiable optical signals in vivo poses significant challenges. Benchmarking using ratiometric signals can overcome dependence on dosing, illumination variability, and pharmacokinetics to provide quantitative in vivo optical data. This review highlights recent advances using fluorescent probes that are processed by enzymes to induce photophysical changes that can be monitored by ratiometric imaging. These diverse strategies include caged fluorophores that change photophysical properties upon enzymatic cleavage, as well as multi-fluorophore systems that are triggered by enzymatic cleavage to alter optical outputs in one or more fluorescent channels. The strategies discussed here have great potential for further development as well as potential broad applications for targeting diverse enzymes important for a wide range of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily D Cosco
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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4
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Huang Y, Chen X, Zhu Z, Mukherjee A. A Dual-Gene Reporter-Amplifier Architecture for Enhancing the Sensitivity of Molecular MRI by Water Exchange. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400087. [PMID: 38439618 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The development of genetic reporters for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for investigating biological functions in vivo. However, current MRI reporters have low sensitivity, making it challenging to create significant contrast against the tissue background, especially when only a small fraction of cells express the reporter. To overcome this limitation, we developed an approach for amplifying the sensitivity of molecular MRI by combining a chemogenetic contrast mechanism with a biophysical approach to increase water diffusion through the co-expression of a dual-gene construct comprising an organic anion transporting polypeptide, Oatp1b3, and a water channel, Aqp1. We first show that the expression of Aqp1 amplifies MRI contrast in cultured cells engineered to express Oatp1b3. We demonstrate that the contrast amplification is caused by Aqp1-driven increase in water exchange, which provides the gadolinium ions internalized by Oatp1b3-expressing cells with access to a larger water pool compared with exchange-limited conditions. We further show that our methodology allows cells to be detected using approximately 10-fold lower concentrations of gadolinium than that in the Aqp1-free scenario. Finally, we show that our approach enables the imaging of mixed-cell cultures containing a low fraction of Oatp1b3-labeled cells that are undetectable on the basis of Oatp1b3 expression alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
| | - Ziyue Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5080
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5
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Ma KY, Perera-Gonzalez M, Langlois NI, Alzubi OM, Guimond JD, Flask CA, Clark HA. pH-responsive i-motif-conjugated nanoparticles for MRI analysis. SENSORS & DIAGNOSTICS 2024; 3:623-630. [PMID: 38646186 PMCID: PMC11025034 DOI: 10.1039/d3sd00285c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (CAs) are widely used to enhance anatomical details in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Significant research has expanded the field of CAs into bioresponsive CAs by modulating the signal to image and monitor biochemical processes, such as pH. In this work, we introduce the modular, dynamic actuation mechanism of DNA-based nanostructures as a new way to modulate the MRI signal based on the rotational correlation time, τR. We combined a pH-responsive oligonucleotide (i-motif) and a clinical standard CA (Gd-DOTA) to develop a pH-responsive MRI CA. The i-motif folds into a quadruplex under acidic conditions and was incorporated onto gold nanoparticles (iM-GNP) to achieve increased relaxivity, r1, compared to the unbound i-motif. In vitro, iM-GNP resulted in a significant increase in r1 over a decreasing pH range (7.5-4.5) with a calculated pKa = 5.88 ± 0.01 and a 16.7% change per 0.1 pH unit. In comparison, a control CA with a non-responsive DNA strand (T33-GNP) did not show a significant change in r1 over the same pH range. The iM-GNP was further evaluated in 20% human serum and demonstrated a 28.14 ± 11.2% increase in signal from neutral pH to acidic pH. This approach paves a path for novel programmable, dynamic DNA-based complexes for τR-modulated bioresponsive MRI CAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Y Ma
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
- Dept. of Bioengineering, Northeastern University Boston MA USA
| | | | - Nicole I Langlois
- Dept. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University Boston MA USA
| | - Owen M Alzubi
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
| | - Joseph D Guimond
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
| | - Chris A Flask
- Depts. of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland OH USA
| | - Heather A Clark
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University Tempe AZ USA
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6
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Li D, Kirberger M, Qiao J, Gui Z, Xue S, Pu F, Jiang J, Xu Y, Tan S, Salarian M, Ibhagui O, Hekmatyar K, Yang JJ. Protein MRI Contrast Agents as an Effective Approach for Precision Molecular Imaging. Invest Radiol 2024; 59:170-186. [PMID: 38180819 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000001057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cancer and other acute and chronic diseases are results of perturbations of common molecular determinants in key biological and signaling processes. Imaging is critical for characterizing dynamic changes in tumors and metastases, the tumor microenvironment, tumor-stroma interactions, and drug targets, at multiscale levels. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged to be a primary imaging modality for both clinical and preclinical applications due to its advantages over other modalities, including sensitivity to soft tissues, nondepth limitations, and the use of nonionizing radiation. However, extending the application of MRI to achieve both qualitative and quantitative precise molecular imaging with the capability to quantify molecular biomarkers for early detection, staging, and monitoring therapeutic treatment requires the capacity to overcome several major challenges including the trade-off between metal-binding affinity and relaxivity, which is an issue frequently associated with small chelator contrast agents. In this review, we will introduce the criteria of ideal contrast agents for precision molecular imaging and discuss the relaxivity of current contrast agents with defined first shell coordination water molecules. We will then report our advances in creating a new class of protein-targeted MRI contrast agents (ProCAs) with contributions to relaxivity largely derived from the secondary sphere and correlation time. We will summarize our rationale, design strategy, and approaches to the development and optimization of our pioneering ProCAs with desired high relaxivity, metal stability, and molecular biomarker-targeting capability, for precision MRI. From first generation (ProCA1) to third generation (ProCA32), we have achieved dual high r1 and r2 values that are 6- to 10-fold higher than clinically approved contrast agents at magnetic fields of 1.5 T, and their relaxivity values at high field are also significantly higher, which enables high resolution during small animal imaging. Further engineering of multiple targeting moieties enables ProCA32 agents that have strong biomarker-binding affinity and specificity for an array of key molecular biomarkers associated with various chronic diseases, while maintaining relaxation and exceptional metal-binding and selectivity, serum stability, and resistance to transmetallation, which are critical in mitigating risks associated with metal toxicity. Our leading product ProCA32.collagen has enabled the first early detection of liver metastasis from multiple cancers at early stages by mapping the tumor environment and early stage of fibrosis from liver and lung in vivo, with strong translational potential to extend to precision MRI for preclinical and clinical applications for precision diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongjun Li
- From the Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Advanced Translational Imaging Facility, Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA (D.L., M.K., J.Q., Z.G., S.X., P.F., J.J., S.T., M.S., O.I., K.H., J.J.Y.); and InLighta BioSciences, LLC, Marietta, GA (Y.X., J.J.Y)
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7
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Huang Y, Chen X, Zhu Z, Mukherjee A. A dual-gene reporter-amplifier architecture for enhancing the sensitivity of molecular MRI by water exchange. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.22.576672. [PMID: 38328134 PMCID: PMC10849537 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.22.576672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The development of genetic reporters for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for investigating biological functions in intact animals. However, current MRI reporters have low sensitivity, making it challenging to create significant contrast against the tissue background, especially when only a small percentage of cells express the reporter. To overcome this limitation, we developed an approach that amplifies signals by co-expressing an MRI reporter gene, Oatp1b3, with a water channel, aquaporin-1 (Aqp1). We first show that the expression of Aqp1 amplifies the paramagnetic relaxation effect of Oatp1b3 by facilitating transmembrane water exchange. This mechanism provides Oatp1b3-expressing cells with access to a larger water pool compared with typical exchange-limited conditions. We further demonstrated that our methodology allows dual-labeled cells to be detected using approximately 10-fold lower concentrations of contrast agent than that in the Aqp1-free scenario. Finally, we show that our approach enables the imaging of mixed-cell populations containing a low fraction of Oatp1b3-labeled cells that are otherwise undetectable based on Oatp1b3 expression alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
| | - Ziyue Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
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8
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Cooke DJ, Maier EY, King TL, Lin H, Hendrichs S, Lee S, Mafy NN, Scott KM, Lu Y, Que EL. Dual Nanoparticle Conjugates for Highly Sensitive and Versatile Sensing Using 19 F Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202312322. [PMID: 38016929 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (19 F MRI) has emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional 1 H MRI due to enhanced specificity deriving from negligible background signal in this modality. We report a dual nanoparticle conjugate (DNC) platform as an aptamer-based sensor for use in 19 F MRI. DNC consists of core-shell nanoparticles with a liquid perfluorocarbon core and a mesoporous silica shell (19 F-MSNs), which give a robust 19 F MR signal, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as magnetic quenchers. Due to the strong magnetic quenching effects of SPIONs, this platform is uniquely sensitive and functions with a low concentration of SPIONs (4 equivalents) relative to 19 F-MSNs. The probe functions as a "turn-on" sensor using target-induced dissociation of DNA aptamers. The thrombin binding aptamer was incorporated as a proof-of-concept (DNCThr ), and we demonstrate a significant increase in 19 F MR signal intensity when DNCThr is incubated with human α-thrombin. This proof-of-concept probe is highly versatile and can be adapted to sense ATP and kanamycin as well. Importantly, DNCThr generates a robust 19 F MRI "hot-spot" signal in response to thrombin in live mice, establishing this platform as a practical, versatile, and biologically relevant molecular imaging probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Cooke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Esther Y Maier
- College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Tyler L King
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Haoding Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Santiago Hendrichs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Slade Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Noushaba N Mafy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Kathleen M Scott
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Departments of chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Emily L Que
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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9
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Nguyen VP, Zhe J, Hu J, Ahmed U, Paulus YM. Molecular and cellular imaging of the eye. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:360-386. [PMID: 38223186 PMCID: PMC10783915 DOI: 10.1364/boe.502350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The application of molecular and cellular imaging in ophthalmology has numerous benefits. It can enable the early detection and diagnosis of ocular diseases, facilitating timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. Molecular imaging techniques can help identify disease biomarkers, monitor disease progression, and evaluate treatment responses. Furthermore, these techniques allow researchers to gain insights into the pathogenesis of ocular diseases and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Molecular and cellular imaging can also allow basic research to elucidate the normal physiological processes occurring within the eye, such as cell signaling, tissue remodeling, and immune responses. By providing detailed visualization at the molecular and cellular level, these imaging techniques contribute to a comprehensive understanding of ocular biology. Current clinically available imaging often relies on confocal microscopy, multi-photon microscopy, PET (positron emission tomography) or SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) techniques, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescence imaging. Preclinical research focuses on the identification of novel molecular targets for various diseases. The aim is to discover specific biomarkers or molecular pathways associated with diseases, allowing for targeted imaging and precise disease characterization. In parallel, efforts are being made to develop sophisticated and multifunctional contrast agents that can selectively bind to these identified molecular targets. These contrast agents can enhance the imaging signal and improve the sensitivity and specificity of molecular imaging by carrying various imaging labels, including radionuclides for PET or SPECT, fluorescent dyes for optical imaging, or nanoparticles for multimodal imaging. Furthermore, advancements in technology and instrumentation are being pursued to enable multimodality molecular imaging. Integrating different imaging modalities, such as PET/MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or PET/CT (computed tomography), allows for the complementary strengths of each modality to be combined, providing comprehensive molecular and anatomical information in a single examination. Recently, photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) has been explored as a novel imaging technology for visualization of different retinal diseases. PAM is a non-invasive, non-ionizing radiation, and hybrid imaging modality that combines the optical excitation of contrast agents with ultrasound detection. It offers a unique approach to imaging by providing both anatomical and functional information. Its ability to utilize molecularly targeted contrast agents holds great promise for molecular imaging applications in ophthalmology. In this review, we will summarize the application of multimodality molecular imaging for tracking chorioretinal angiogenesis along with the migration of stem cells after subretinal transplantation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Josh Zhe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Justin Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Umayr Ahmed
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
| | - Yannis M. Paulus
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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10
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Fillion AJ, Bricco AR, Lee HD, Korenchan D, Farrar CT, Gilad AA. Development of a synthetic biosensor for chemical exchange MRI utilizing in silico optimized peptides. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e5007. [PMID: 37469121 PMCID: PMC11075521 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI has been identified as a novel alternative to classical diagnostic imaging. Over the last several decades, many studies have been conducted to determine possible CEST agents, such as endogenously expressed compounds or proteins, that can be utilized to produce contrast with minimally invasive procedures and reduced or non-existent levels of toxicity. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the generation of genetically engineered CEST contrast agents, typically based on existing proteins with CEST contrast or modified to produce CEST contrast. We have developed an in silico method for the evolution of peptide sequences to optimize CEST contrast and showed that these peptides could be combined to create de novo biosensors for CEST MRI. A single protein, superCESTide, was designed to be 198 amino acids. SuperCESTide was expressed in E. coli and purified with size exclusion chromatography. The magnetic transfer ratio asymmetry generated by superCESTide was comparable to levels seen in previous CEST reporters, such as protamine sulfate (salmon protamine) and human protamine. These data show that novel peptides with sequences optimized in silico for CEST contrast that utilize a more comprehensive range of amino acids can still produce contrast when assembled into protein units expressed in complex living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Fillion
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexander R. Bricco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Harvey D. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - David Korenchan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Christian T. Farrar
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Assaf A. Gilad
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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11
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Lu X, Wang X, Gao S, Chen Z, Bai R, Wang Y. Bioparameter-directed nanoformulations as MRI CAs enable the specific visualization of hypoxic tumour. Analyst 2023; 148:4967-4981. [PMID: 37724375 DOI: 10.1039/d3an00972f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
A malignant tumour has hypoxic cells of varying degrees. The more severe the hypoxic degree, the more difficult the prognosis of the tumour and the higher the recurrence rate. Therefore, tumour hypoxia imaging is crucial. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows its strength in high resolution, depth of penetration and noninvasiveness. However, it needs more excellent contrast agents (CAs) to combat the complex tumour microenvironment (TME) and increased targeting of tumours to enhance clinical safety. Many research studies have focused on developing hypoxia-responsive MRI CAs that take advantage of the unique characteristics of hypoxic tumours. The low oxygen pressure, acidic TME, and up-regulated redox molecule levels found in hypoxic tumours serve as biological stimuli for nanoformulations that can accurately image the hypoxic region. This review highlights the importance of developing bioparameter-directed nanoformulations as MRI CAs for accurate tumour diagnosis. The design strategies and mechanisms of tumour-hypoxia imaging with nanoformulations are exemplified, with a focus on pH-responsiveness, redox-responsiveness, and p(O2)-responsiveness. The promising future of bioparameter-responsive nanoformulations for accurate tumour diagnosis and personalised cancer treatment is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Susu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ru Bai
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
| | - Yaling Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety & CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China.
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12
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Gilad AA, Bar-Shir A, Bricco AR, Mohanta Z, McMahon MT. Protein and peptide engineering for chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging in the age of synthetic biology. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4712. [PMID: 35150021 PMCID: PMC10642350 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
At the beginning of the millennium, the first chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents were bio-organic molecules. However, later, metal-based CEST agents (paraCEST agents) took center stage. This did not last too long as paraCEST agents showed limited translational potential. By contrast, the CEST field gradually became dominated by metal-free CEST agents. One branch of research stemming from the original work by van Zijl and colleagues is the development of CEST agents based on polypeptides. Indeed, in the last 2 decades, tremendous progress has been achieved in this field. This includes the design of novel peptides as biosensors, genetically encoded recombinant as well as synthetic reporters. This was a result of extensive characterization and elucidation of the theoretical requirements for rational designing and engineering of such agents. Here, we provide an extensive overview of the evolution of more precise protein-based CEST agents, review the rationalization of enzyme-substrate pairs as CEST contrast enhancers, discuss the theoretical considerations to improve peptide selectivity, specificity and enhance CEST contrast. Moreover, we discuss the strong influence of synthetic biology on the development of the next generation of protein-based CEST contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf A. Gilad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Amnon Bar-Shir
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander R. Bricco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Zinia Mohanta
- Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael T. McMahon
- Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Fillion AJ, Bricco AR, Lee HD, Korenchan D, Farrar CT, Gilad AA. Development of a Synthetic Biosensor for Chemical Exchange MRI Utilizing In Silico Optimized Peptides. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.08.531737. [PMID: 37016672 PMCID: PMC10071792 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.08.531737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been identified as a novel alternative to classical diagnostic imaging. Over the last several decades, many studies have been conducted to determine possible CEST agents, such as endogenously expressed compounds or proteins, that can be utilized to produce contrast with minimally invasive procedures and reduced or non-existent levels of toxicity. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the generation of genetically engineered CEST contrast agents, typically based on existing proteins with CEST contrast or modified to produce CEST contrast. We have developed an in-silico method for the evolution of peptide sequences to optimize CEST contrast and showed that these peptides could be combined to create de novo biosensors for CEST MRI. A single protein, superCESTide 2.0, was designed to be 198 amino acids. SuperCESTide 2.0 was expressed in E. coli and purified with size-exclusion chromatography. The magnetic transfer ratio asymmetry (MTR asym ) generated by superCESTide 2.0 was comparable to levels seen in previous CEST reporters, such as protamine sulfate (salmon protamine, SP), Poly-L-Lysine (PLL), and human protamine (hPRM1). This data shows that novel peptides with sequences optimized in silico for CEST contrast that utilizes a more comprehensive range of amino acids can still produce contrast when assembled into protein units expressed in complex living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Fillion
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexander R. Bricco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Harvey D. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - David Korenchan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Christian T. Farrar
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, MA, USA
| | - Assaf A. Gilad
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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14
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Nyström NN, McRae SW, Martinez FM, Kelly JJ, Scholl TJ, Ronald JA. A Genetically Encoded Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reporter Enables Sensitive Detection and Tracking of Spontaneous Metastases in Deep Tissues. Cancer Res 2023; 83:673-685. [PMID: 36512633 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related death. However, it remains a poorly understood aspect of cancer biology, and most preclinical cancer studies do not examine metastasis, focusing solely on the primary tumor. One major factor contributing to this paradox is a gap in available tools for accurate spatiotemporal measurements of metastatic spread in vivo. Here, our objective was to develop an imaging reporter system that offers sensitive three-dimensional (3D) detection of cancer cells at high resolutions in live mice. An organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1b3 (oatp1b3) was used as an MRI reporter gene, and its sensitivity was systematically optimized for in vivo tracking of viable cancer cells in a spontaneous metastasis model. Metastases with oatp1b3-MRI could be observed at the single lymph node level and tracked over time as cancer cells spread to multiple lymph nodes and different organ systems in individual animals. While initial single lesions were successfully imaged in parallel via bioluminescence, later metastases were largely obscured by light scatter from the initial node. Importantly, MRI could detect micrometastases in lung tissue comprised on the order of 1,000 cancer cells. In summary, oatp1b3-MRI enables longitudinal tracking of cancer cells with combined high resolution and high sensitivity that provides 3D spatial information and the surrounding anatomical context. SIGNIFICANCE An MRI reporter gene system optimized for tracking metastasis in deep tissues at high resolutions and able to detect spontaneous micrometastases in lungs of mice provides a useful tool for metastasis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivin N Nyström
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Sean W McRae
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francisco M Martinez
- Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John J Kelly
- Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Scholl
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John A Ronald
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Imaging Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Yang H, Qian Z, Liu C, Tie C, Cai A, Wang J, Xing Y, Xia J, Li X. A versatile genetic-encoded reporter for magnetic resonance imaging. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14054. [PMID: 36915487 PMCID: PMC10006841 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been a long-cherished wish in biomedicine research to have an imaging tool to visualize gene expression, with good spatiotemporal resolution, in rodent and primate animals noninvasively and longitudinally. To this purpose, we here present a novel genetic encoded magnetic resonance imaging reporter, i.e., GEM reporter, for noninvasive visualization of cell-specific gene expression. The GEM reporter was developed through codon modification of a bacteria-originated manganese (Mn) binding protein, allowing the sequestration of endogenous Mn in local tissues. When expressed in bacteria, plant and animals, GEM reporter can robustly produce high image contrast in T1-weighted MRI without additional substrates or contrast agents. Importantly, GEM reporter can be tracked inherently by MRI in specific cells and tissues. These findings support GEM reporter as a versatile marker for deciphering gene expression spatiotemporally in living subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhengjiang Qian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chunhua Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Changjun Tie
- Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aoling Cai
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yao Xing
- Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd., China
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, 3002 SunGang Road West, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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16
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MRI Contrast Agents in Glycobiology. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238297. [PMID: 36500389 PMCID: PMC9735696 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Molecular recognition involving glycoprotein-mediated interactions is ubiquitous in both normal and pathological natural processes. Therefore, visualization of these interactions and the extent of expression of the sugars is a challenge in medical diagnosis, monitoring of therapy, and drug design. Here, we review the literature on the development and validation of probes for magnetic resonance imaging using carbohydrates either as targeting vectors or as a target. Lectins are important targeting vectors for carbohydrate end groups, whereas selectins, the asialoglycoprotein receptor, sialic acid end groups, hyaluronic acid, and glycated serum and hemoglobin are interesting carbohydrate targets.
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17
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Amarsy I, Papot S, Gasser G. Stimuli‐Responsive Metal Complexes for Biomedical Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202205900. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202205900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Amarsy
- Chimie ParisTech PSL University, CNRS Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology 75005 Paris France
| | - Sébastien Papot
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP) Université de Poitiers, CNRS Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer 4 rue Michel Brunet, TSA 51106 86073 Poitiers France
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech PSL University, CNRS Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology 75005 Paris France
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18
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Brindle KM. Gene reporters for magnetic resonance imaging. Trends Genet 2022; 38:996-998. [PMID: 35641343 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
MRI-based gene reporters allow imaging of gene expression at depth (tens of centimetres) and at relatively high resolution (~10-100 μm) and have the potential to be translated to the clinic. The reporters exploit either endogenous contrast mechanisms or they modulate the response to an introduced exogenous contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Brindle
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK.
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19
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Yun J, Baldini M, Chowdhury R, Mukherjee A. Designing Protein-Based Probes for Sensing Biological Analytes with Magnetic Resonance Imaging. ANALYSIS & SENSING 2022; 2:e202200019. [PMID: 37409177 PMCID: PMC10321474 DOI: 10.1002/anse.202200019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetically encoded sensors provide unique advantages for monitoring biological analytes with molecular and cellular-level specificity. While sensors derived from fluorescent proteins represent staple tools in biological imaging, these probes are limited to optically accessible preparations owing to physical curbs on light penetration. In contrast to optical methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to noninvasively look inside intact organisms at any arbitrary depth and over large fields of view. These capabilities have spurred the development of innovative methods to connect MRI readouts with biological targets using protein-based probes that are in principle genetically encodable. Here, we highlight the state-of-the-art in MRI-based biomolecular sensors, focusing on their physical mechanisms, quantitative characteristics, and biological applications. We also describe how innovations in reporter gene technology are creating new opportunities to engineer MRI sensors that are sensitive to dilute biological targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Yun
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Michelle Baldini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Rochishnu Chowdhury
- Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Center for BioEngineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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20
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Reporter Genes for Brain Imaging Using MRI, SPECT and PET. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158443. [PMID: 35955578 PMCID: PMC9368793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of molecular imaging technologies for brain imaging can not only play an important supporting role in disease diagnosis and treatment but can also be used to deeply study brain functions. Recently, with the support of reporter gene technology, optical imaging has achieved a breakthrough in brain function studies at the molecular level. Reporter gene technology based on traditional clinical imaging modalities is also expanding. By benefiting from the deeper imaging depths and wider imaging ranges now possible, these methods have led to breakthroughs in preclinical and clinical research. This article focuses on the applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET) reporter gene technologies for use in brain imaging. The tracking of cell therapies and gene therapies is the most successful and widely used application of these techniques. Meanwhile, breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of reporter genes and their imaging probe pairs with respect to brain function research. This paper introduces the imaging principles and classifications of the reporter gene technologies of these imaging modalities, lists the relevant brain imaging applications, reviews their characteristics, and discusses the opportunities and challenges faced by clinical imaging modalities based on reporter gene technology. The conclusion is provided in the last section.
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21
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Amarsy I, Papot S, Gasser G. Stimuli‐Responsive Metal Complexes for Biomedical Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202205900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Amarsy
- Chimie ParisTech - PSL: Ecole nationale superieure de chimie de Paris PSL University FRANCE
| | - Sébastien Papot
- Université de Poitiers: Universite de Poitiers Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP) FRANCE
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Universite PSL Chimie ParisTech 11, rue Pierre et Marie Curie 75005 Paris FRANCE
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22
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Wang H, Wang N, Xie H, Wang L, Zhou W, Yang D, Cao X, Zhu S, Liang J, Chen X. Two-stage deep learning network-based few-view image reconstruction for parallel-beam projection tomography. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022; 12:2535-2551. [PMID: 35371942 PMCID: PMC8923870 DOI: 10.21037/qims-21-778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Projection tomography (PT) is a very important and valuable method for fast volumetric imaging with isotropic spatial resolution. Sparse-view or limited-angle reconstruction-based PT can greatly reduce data acquisition time, lower radiation doses, and simplify sample fixation modes. However, few techniques can currently achieve image reconstruction based on few-view projection data, which is especially important for in vivo PT in living organisms. METHODS A 2-stage deep learning network (TSDLN)-based framework was proposed for parallel-beam PT reconstructions using few-view projections. The framework is composed of a reconstruction network (R-net) and a correction network (C-net). The R-net is a generative adversarial network (GAN) used to complete image information with direct back-projection (BP) of a sparse signal, bringing the reconstructed image close to reconstruction results obtained from fully projected data. The C-net is a U-net array that denoises the compensation result to obtain a high-quality reconstructed image. RESULTS The accuracy and feasibility of the proposed TSDLN-based framework in few-view projection-based reconstruction were first evaluated with simulations, using images from the DeepLesion public dataset. The framework exhibited better reconstruction performance than traditional analytic reconstruction algorithms and iterative algorithms, especially in cases using sparse-view projection images. For example, with as few as two projections, the TSDLN-based framework reconstructed high-quality images very close to the original image, with structural similarities greater than 0.8. By using previously acquired optical PT (OPT) data in the TSDLN-based framework trained on computed tomography (CT) data, we further exemplified the migration capabilities of the TSDLN-based framework. The results showed that when the number of projections was reduced to 5, the contours and distribution information of the samples in question could still be seen in the reconstructed images. CONCLUSIONS The simulations and experimental results showed that the TSDLN-based framework has strong reconstruction abilities using few-view projection images, and has great potential in the application of in vivo PT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyuan Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Wangting Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
| | - Defu Yang
- Research Center for Healthcare Data Science, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu Cao
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
| | - Shouping Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
| | - Jimin Liang
- School of Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xueli Chen
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi’an, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Regulation of Trans-scale Life Information, Xi’an, China
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23
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Meng Q, Wu M, Shang Z, Zhang Z, Zhang R. Responsive gadolinium(III) complex-based small molecule magnetic resonance imaging probes: Design, mechanism and application. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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24
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Epigenetic MRI: Noninvasive imaging of DNA methylation in the brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119891119. [PMID: 35235458 PMCID: PMC8915962 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119891119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic epigenetic activity is a fundamental mechanism underpinning how the brain changes its function during development and aging and in response to environmental and disease stimuli. We developed a technology called epigenetic MRI (eMRI) that enables noninvasive imaging of DNA methylation in the brain, a major epigenetic mechanism. eMRI reveals strong regional differences in global DNA methylation in pig brains, a model with stronger resemblance to human brains than are rodents. Given the noninvasive nature of eMRI, our results pave the way for a DNA-methylation imaging paradigm for living human brains. We expect eMRI to enable many studies to unravel the molecular control of brain function and disease. Both neuronal and genetic mechanisms regulate brain function. While there are excellent methods to study neuronal activity in vivo, there are no nondestructive methods to measure global gene expression in living brains. Here, we present a method, epigenetic MRI (eMRI), that overcomes this limitation via direct imaging of DNA methylation, a major gene-expression regulator. eMRI exploits the methionine metabolic pathways for DNA methylation to label genomic DNA through 13C-enriched diets. A 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging method then maps the spatial distribution of labeled DNA. We validated eMRI using pigs, whose brains have stronger similarity to humans in volume and anatomy than rodents, and confirmed efficient 13C-labeling of brain DNA. We also discovered strong regional differences in global DNA methylation. Just as functional MRI measurements of regional neuronal activity have had a transformational effect on neuroscience, we expect that the eMRI signal, both as a measure of regional epigenetic activity and as a possible surrogate for regional gene expression, will enable many new investigations of human brain function, behavior, and disease.
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25
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Selective coordination and localized polarization in graphene quantum dots: Detection of fluoride anions using ultra-low-field NMR relaxometry. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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26
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Sharma SK, Poudel Sharma S, Leblanc RM. Methods of detection of β-galactosidase enzyme in living cells. Enzyme Microb Technol 2021; 150:109885. [PMID: 34489038 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2021.109885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The application of β-galactosidase enzyme ranges from industrial use as probiotics to medically important application such as cancer detection. The irregular activities of β-galactosidase enzyme are directly related to the development of cancers. Identifying the location and expression levels of enzymes in cancer cells have considerable importance in early-stage cancer diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of therapies. Most importantly, the knowledge of the efficient method of detection of β-galactosidase enzyme will help in the early-stage treatment of the disease. In this review paper, we provide an overview of recent advances in the detection methods of β-galactosidase enzyme in the living cells, including the detection strategies, and approaches in human beings, plants, and microorganisms such as bacteria. Further, we emphasized on the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly developing field of development of different biomarkers and fluorescent probes based on β-galactosidase enzyme. We found that previously used chromo-fluorogenic methods have been mostly replaced by the new molecular probes, although they have certain drawbacks. Upon comparing the different methods, it was found that near-infrared fluorescent probes are dominating the other detection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv K Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States; Thomas More University, 333 Thomas More Pkwy, Crestview Hills, KY 41017
| | - Sijan Poudel Sharma
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Roger M Leblanc
- Department of Chemistry, University of Miami, 1301 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States.
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27
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Khajavi B, Sun R, Chawla HS, Henry HL, Singh M, Schill AW, Dickinson ME, Mayerich D, Larin KV. Multimodal high-resolution embryonic imaging with light sheet fluorescence microscopy and optical coherence tomography. OPTICS LETTERS 2021; 46:4180-4183. [PMID: 34469969 PMCID: PMC8903154 DOI: 10.1364/ol.430202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A high-resolution imaging system combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) was developed. LSFM confined the excitation to only the focal plane, removing the out of plane fluorescence. This enabled imaging a murine embryo with higher speed and specificity than traditional fluorescence microscopy. OCT gives information about the structure of the embryo from the same plane illuminated by LSFM. The co-planar OCT and LSFM instrument was capable of performing co-registered functional and structural imaging of mouse embryos simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Khajavi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Ruijiao Sun
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | | | - H. Le Henry
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77584, USA
| | - Manmohan Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Alexander W. Schill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Mary E. Dickinson
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77584, USA
| | - David Mayerich
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77584, USA
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28
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Yao Y, Zhang Y, Yan C, Zhu WH, Guo Z. Enzyme-activatable fluorescent probes for β-galactosidase: from design to biological applications. Chem Sci 2021; 12:9885-9894. [PMID: 34349961 PMCID: PMC8317648 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc02069b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Galactosidase (β-gal), a typical hydrolytic enzyme, is a vital biomarker for cell senescence and primary ovarian cancers. Developing precise and rapid methods to monitor β-gal activity is crucial for early cancer diagnoses and biological research. Over the past decade, activatable optical probes have become a powerful tool for real-time tracking and in vivo visualization with high sensitivity and specificity. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in the design of β-gal-activatable probes via spectral characteristics and responsiveness regulation for biological applications, and particularly focus on the molecular design strategy from turn-on mode to ratiometric mode, from aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) probes to aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active probes, from near-infrared-I (NIR-I) imaging to NIR-II imaging, and from one-mode to dual-mode of chemo-fluoro-luminescence sensing β-gal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Yao
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Yutao Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Chenxu Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Wei-Hong Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
| | - Zhiqian Guo
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Institute of Fine Chemicals, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
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29
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Gao S, Zhao L, Fan Z, Kodibagkar VD, Liu L, Wang H, Xu H, Tu M, Hu B, Cao C, Zhang Z, Yu JX. In Situ Generated Novel 1H MRI Reporter for β-Galactosidase Activity Detection and Visualization in Living Tumor Cells. Front Chem 2021; 9:709581. [PMID: 34336792 PMCID: PMC8321238 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.709581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
For wide applications of the lacZ gene in cellular/molecular biology, small animal investigations, and clinical assessments, the improvement of noninvasive imaging approaches to precisely assay gene expression has garnered much attention. In this study, we investigate a novel molecular platform in which alizarin 2-O-β-d-galactopyranoside AZ-1 acts as a lacZ gene/β-gal responsive 1H-MRI probe to induce significant 1H-MRI contrast changes in relaxation times T 1 and T 2 in situ as a concerted effect for the discovery of β-gal activity with the exposure of Fe3+. We also demonstrate the capability of this strategy for detecting β-gal activity with lacZ-transfected human MCF7 breast and PC3 prostate cancer cells by reaction-enhanced 1H-MRI T 1 and T 2 relaxation mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Gao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Fan
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Vikram D. Kodibagkar
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Hanqin Wang
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Mingli Tu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Bifu Hu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Chuanbin Cao
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Zhenjian Zhang
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
| | - Jian-Xin Yu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Fifth School of Medicine/Suizhou Central Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, China
- Biomedical Research Institute, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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30
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Three-Dimensional X-ray Imaging of β-Galactosidase Reporter Activity by Micro-CT: Implication for Quantitative Analysis of Gene Expression. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060746. [PMID: 34199780 PMCID: PMC8230009 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of detailed anatomical and molecular knowledge from intact biological samples while preserving their native three-dimensional structure is still a challenging issue for imaging studies aiming to unravel a system's functions. Three-dimensional micro-CT X-ray imaging with a high spatial resolution in minimally perturbed naive non-transparent samples has recently gained increased popularity and broad application in biomedical research. Here, we describe a novel X-ray-based methodology for analysis of β-galactosidase (lacZ) reporter-driven gene expression in an intact murine brain ex vivo by micro-CT. The method relies on detection of bromine molecules in the product of the enzymatic β-galactosidase reaction. Enhancement of the X-ray signal is observed specifically in the regions of the murine brain where expression of the lacZ reporter gene is also detected histologically. We performed quantitative analysis of the expression levels of lacZ reporter activity by relative radiodensity estimation of the β-galactosidase/X-gal precipitate in situ. To demonstrate the feasibility of the method, we performed expression analysis of the Tsen54-lacZ reporter gene in the murine brain in a semi-quantitative manner. Human mutations in the Tsen54 gene cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), a group of severe neurodegenerative disorders with both mental and motor deficits. Comparing relative levels of Tsen54 gene expression, we demonstrate that the highest Tsen54 expression is observed in anatomical brain substructures important for the normal motor and memory functions in mice.
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31
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Farhadi A, Sigmund F, Westmeyer GG, Shapiro MG. Genetically encodable materials for non-invasive biological imaging. NATURE MATERIALS 2021; 20:585-592. [PMID: 33526879 PMCID: PMC8606175 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-00883-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Many questions in basic biology and medicine require the ability to visualize the function of specific cells and molecules inside living organisms. In this context, technologies such as ultrasound, optoacoustics and magnetic resonance provide non-invasive imaging access to deep-tissue regions, as used in many laboratories and clinics to visualize anatomy and physiology. In addition, recent work has enabled these technologies to image the location and function of specific cells and molecules inside the body by coupling the physics of sound waves, nuclear spins and light absorption to unique protein-based materials. These materials, which include air-filled gas vesicles, capsid-like nanocompartments, pigment-producing enzymes and transmembrane transporters, enable new forms of biomolecular and cellular contrast. The ability of these protein-based contrast agents to be genetically encoded and produced by cells creates opportunities for unprecedented in vivo studies of cellular function, while their amenability to genetic engineering enables atomic-level design of their physical, chemical and biological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Farhadi
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Synthetic Biology Center, Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Felix Sigmund
- Department of Chemistry and TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gil Gregor Westmeyer
- Department of Chemistry and TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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32
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Wellm V, Groebner J, Heitmann G, Sönnichsen FD, Herges R. Towards Photoswitchable Contrast Agents for Absolute 3D Temperature MR Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202015851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Wellm
- Otto Diels Institute of Organic Chemistry Christian Albrechts University Otto Hahn Platz 4 24118 Kiel Germany
| | - Jens Groebner
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology South Westphalian University of Applied Sciences Bahnhofsallee 5 58507 Luedenscheid Germany
| | - Gernot Heitmann
- IWS Innovations- und Wissenstrategien GmbH Aviares Research Network Deichstraße 25 20459 Hamburg Germany
| | - Frank D. Sönnichsen
- Otto Diels Institute of Organic Chemistry Christian Albrechts University Otto Hahn Platz 4 24118 Kiel Germany
| | - Rainer Herges
- Otto Diels Institute of Organic Chemistry Christian Albrechts University Otto Hahn Platz 4 24118 Kiel Germany
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33
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Wellm V, Groebner J, Heitmann G, Sönnichsen FD, Herges R. Towards Photoswitchable Contrast Agents for Absolute 3D Temperature MR Imaging. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:8220-8226. [PMID: 33606332 PMCID: PMC8048480 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202015851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Temperature can be used as clinical marker for tissue metabolism and the detection of inflammations or tumors. The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for monitoring physiological parameters like the temperature noninvasively is steadily increasing. In this study, we present a proof-of-principle study of MRI contrast agents (CA) for absolute and concentration independent temperature imaging. These CAs are based on azoimidazole substituted NiII porphyrins, which can undergo Light-Driven Coordination-Induced Spin State Switching (LD-CISSS) in solution. Monitoring the fast first order kinetic of back isomerisation (cis to trans) with standard clinical MR imaging sequences allows the determination of half-lives, that can be directly translated into absolute temperatures. Different temperature responsive CAs were successfully tested as prototypes in methanol-based gels and created temperature maps of gradient phantoms with high spatial resolution (0.13×0.13×1.1 mm) and low temperature errors (<0.22 °C). The method is sufficiently fast to record the temperature flow from a heat source as a film.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Wellm
- Otto Diels Institute of Organic ChemistryChristian Albrechts UniversityOtto Hahn Platz 424118KielGermany
| | - Jens Groebner
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information TechnologySouth Westphalian University of Applied SciencesBahnhofsallee 558507LuedenscheidGermany
| | - Gernot Heitmann
- IWS Innovations- und Wissenstrategien GmbHAviares Research NetworkDeichstraße 2520459HamburgGermany
| | - Frank D. Sönnichsen
- Otto Diels Institute of Organic ChemistryChristian Albrechts UniversityOtto Hahn Platz 424118KielGermany
| | - Rainer Herges
- Otto Diels Institute of Organic ChemistryChristian Albrechts UniversityOtto Hahn Platz 424118KielGermany
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34
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An Activatable T 1-Weighted MR Contrast Agent: A Noninvasive Tool for Tracking the Vicinal Thiol Motif of Thioredoxin in Live Cells. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26072018. [PMID: 33916181 PMCID: PMC8037249 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26072018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We have synthesized new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 contrast agents (CA1 and CA2) that permit the activatable recognition of the cellular vicinal thiol motifs of the protein thioredoxin. The contrast agents showed MR relaxivities typical of gadolinium complexes with a single water molecule coordinated to a Gd3+ center (i.e., ~4.54 mM−1s−1) for both CA1 and CA2 at 60 MHz. The contrast agent CA1 showed a ~140% relaxivity enhancement in the presence of thioredoxin, a finding attributed to a reduction in the flexibility of the molecule after binding to thioredoxin. Support for this rationale, as opposed to one based on preferential binding, came from 1H-15N-HSQC NMR spectral studies; these revealed that the binding affinities toward thioredoxin were almost the same for both CA1 and CA2. In the case of CA1, T1-weighted phantom images of cancer cells (MCF-7, A549) could be generated based on the expression of thioredoxin. We further confirmed thioredoxin expression-dependent changes in the T1-weighted contrast via knockdown of the expression of the thioredoxin using siRNA-transfected MCF-7 cells. The nontoxic nature of CA1, coupled with its relaxivity features, leads us to suggest that it constitutes a first-in-class MRI T1 contrast agent that allows for the facile and noninvasive monitoring of vicinal thiol protein motif expression in live cells.
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35
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Yu K, Yu Y, Yao Y, Wu Z, Fu S, Cheng RH, Chen YW, Chen HY, Zhou J, Hwang DW, Ding S. A Polypeptide-Based, Membrane-Penetrating, Target-Specific Contrast Agent for Magnetic Resonance Molecular Imaging. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:1597-1604. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kaichao Yu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yamian Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yao Yao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Shitao Fu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Ren-Hao Cheng
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Ying Chen
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Jinlan Zhou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Dennis W. Hwang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec. 2, Academia Rd. Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Shangwu Ding
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Road, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
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36
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Functional Imaging Using Bioluminescent Reporter Genes in Living Subjects. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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37
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Jacobs AH, Schelhaas S, Viel T, Waerzeggers Y, Winkeler A, Zinnhardt B, Gelovani J. Imaging of Gene and Cell-Based Therapies: Basis and Clinical Trials. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00060-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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38
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Agents. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00037-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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39
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Li Y, Deng B, Chen H, Yang S, Sun B. A ratiometric fluorescent probe for the detection of β-galactosidase and its application. RSC Adv 2021; 11:13341-13347. [PMID: 35423855 PMCID: PMC8697631 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00739d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein, a coumarin fluorescent probe (Probe 1) was developed for the ratiometric detection of β-galactosidase (β-gal) activity. The detection range was 0–0.1 U mL−1 and 0.2–0.8 U mL−1, and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.0054 U mL−1. Moreover, the luminous intensity of Probe 1 increased gradually with increase in β-gal activity. It could be observed under 254 nm UV irradiation by the naked eye. Furthermore, this method only required a small amount of sample (20 μL) and a short analytical time (30 min) for the detection of β-gal activity with a low LOD. Probe 1 was successfully used to detect β-gal activity in real fruit samples, and can be applied to the quantitative and qualitative detection of β-gal activity. A ratiometric fluorescent probe was successfully used as a tool to determine β-galactosidase activity in fruits.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Flavor Chemistry
- Beijing Technology and Business University
- Beijing 100048
- China
| | - Bing Deng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Flavor Chemistry
- Beijing Technology and Business University
- Beijing 100048
- China
| | - Haitao Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Flavor Chemistry
- Beijing Technology and Business University
- Beijing 100048
- China
| | - Shaoxiang Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Flavor Chemistry
- Beijing Technology and Business University
- Beijing 100048
- China
| | - Baoguo Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Flavor Chemistry
- Beijing Technology and Business University
- Beijing 100048
- China
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40
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Bettini S, Bonfrate V, Valli L, Giancane G. Paramagnetic Functionalization of Biocompatible Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Perspective. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E153. [PMID: 33260520 PMCID: PMC7711469 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7040153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The burst of research papers focused on the tissue engineering and regeneration recorded in the last years is justified by the increased skills in the synthesis of nanostructures able to confer peculiar biological and mechanical features to the matrix where they are dispersed. Inorganic, organic and hybrid nanostructures are proposed in the literature depending on the characteristic that has to be tuned and on the effect that has to be induced. In the field of the inorganic nanoparticles used for decorating the bio-scaffolds, the most recent contributions about the paramagnetic and superparamagnetic nanoparticles use was evaluated in the present contribution. The intrinsic properties of the paramagnetic nanoparticles, the possibility to be triggered by the simple application of an external magnetic field, their biocompatibility and the easiness of the synthetic procedures for obtaining them proposed these nanostructures as ideal candidates for positively enhancing the tissue regeneration. Herein, we divided the discussion into two macro-topics: the use of magnetic nanoparticles in scaffolds used for hard tissue engineering for soft tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Bettini
- Department of Innovation Engineering, University Campus Ecotekne, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonfrate
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, via D. Birago, 64, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
| | - Ludovico Valli
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology (DiSTeBA), University Campus Ecotekne, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Gabriele Giancane
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
- Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, via D. Birago, 64, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
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41
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Perlman O, Ito H, Gilad AA, McMahon MT, Chiocca EA, Nakashima H, Farrar CT. Redesigned reporter gene for improved proton exchange-based molecular MRI contrast. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20664. [PMID: 33244130 PMCID: PMC7692519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77576-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Reporter gene imaging allows for non-invasive monitoring of molecular processes in living cells, providing insights on the mechanisms underlying pathology and therapy. A lysine-rich protein (LRP) chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI reporter gene has previously been developed and used to image tumor cells, cardiac viral gene transfer, and oncolytic virotherapy. However, the highly repetitive nature of the LRP reporter gene sequence leads to DNA recombination events and the expression of a range of truncated LRP protein fragments, thereby greatly limiting the CEST sensitivity. Here we report the use of a redesigned LRP reporter (rdLRP), aimed to provide excellent stability and CEST sensitivity. The rdLRP contains no DNA repeats or GC rich regions and 30% less positively charged amino-acids. RT-PCR of cell lysates transfected with rdLRP demonstrated a stable reporter gene with a single distinct band corresponding to full-length DNA. A distinct increase in CEST-MRI contrast was obtained in cell lysates of rdLRP transfected cells and in in vivo LRP expressing mouse brain tumors ([Formula: see text], n = 10).
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Perlman
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Suite 2301, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Hirotaka Ito
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Assaf A Gilad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- The Institute of Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Michael T McMahon
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E Antonio Chiocca
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nakashima
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian T Farrar
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Suite 2301, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
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42
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Zhang K, Sun Y, Wu S, Zhou M, Zhang X, Zhou R, Zhang T, Gao Y, Chen T, Chen Y, Yao X, Watanabe Y, Tian M, Zhang H. Systematic imaging in medicine: a comprehensive review. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2020; 48:1736-1758. [PMID: 33210241 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-05107-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Systematic imaging can be broadly defined as the systematic identification and characterization of biological processes at multiple scales and levels. In contrast to "classical" diagnostic imaging, systematic imaging emphasizes on detecting the overall abnormalities including molecular, functional, and structural alterations occurring during disease course in a systematic manner, rather than just one aspect in a partial manner. Concomitant efforts including improvement of imaging instruments, development of novel imaging agents, and advancement of artificial intelligence are warranted for achievement of systematic imaging. It is undeniable that scientists and radiologists will play a predominant role in directing this burgeoning field. This article introduces several recent developments in imaging modalities and nanoparticles-based imaging agents, and discusses how systematic imaging can be achieved. In the near future, systematic imaging which combines multiple imaging modalities with multimodal imaging agents will pave a new avenue for comprehensive characterization of diseases, successful achievement of image-guided therapy, precise evaluation of therapeutic effects, and rapid development of novel pharmaceuticals, with the final goal of improving human health-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.,Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yujie Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Biodynamic Optical Imaging Center, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanxue Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yasuyoshi Watanabe
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET center, The Second Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China. .,Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,The College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Baek SE, Ul-Haq A, Kim DH, Choi HW, Kim MJ, Choi HJ, Kim H. Human Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B3 Applied as an MRI-Based Reporter Gene. Korean J Radiol 2020; 21:726-735. [PMID: 32410411 PMCID: PMC7231618 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2019.0903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Recent innovations in biology are boosting gene and cell therapy, but monitoring the response to these treatments is difficult. The purpose of this study was to find an MRI-reporter gene that can be used to monitor gene or cell therapy and that can be delivered without a viral vector, as viral vector delivery methods can result in long-term complications. Materials and Methods CMV promoter-human organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (CMV-hOATP1B3) cDNA or CMV-blank DNA (control) was transfected into HEK293 cells using Lipofectamine. OATP1B3 expression was confirmed by western blotting and confocal microscopy. In vitro cell phantoms were made using transfected HEK293 cells cultured in various concentrations of gadoxetic acid for 24 hours, and images of the phantoms were made with a 9.4T micro-MRI. In vivo xenograft tumors were made by implanting HEK293 cells transfected with CMV-hOATP1B3 (n = 4) or CMV-blank (n = 4) in 8-week-old male nude mice, and MRI was performed before and after intravenous injection of gadoxetic acid (1.2 µL/g). Results Western blot and confocal microscopy after immunofluorescence staining revealed that only CMV-hOATP1B3-transfected HEK293 cells produced abundant OATP1B3, which localized at the cell membrane. OATP1B3 expression levels remained high through the 25th subculture cycle, but decreased substantially by the 50th subculture cycle. MRI of cell phantoms showed that only the CMV-hOATP1B3-transfected cells produced a significant contrast enhancement effect. In vivo MRI of xenograft tumors revealed that only CMV-hOATP1B3-transfected HEK293 tumors demonstrated a T1 contrast effect, which lasted for at least 5 hours. Conclusion The human endogenous OATP1B3 gene can be non-virally delivered into cells to induce transient OATP1B3 expression, leading to gadoxetic acid-mediated enhancement on MRI. These results indicate that hOATP1B3 can serve as an MRI-reporter gene while minimizing the risk of long-term complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ee Baek
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Asad Ul-Haq
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae Hee Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Myeong Jin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Jin Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Honsoul Kim
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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44
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Novel fluorescent probe for the ratiometric detection of β-galactosidase and its application in fruit. Food Chem 2020; 328:127112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Song Y, Xu Z, Wang F. Genetically Encoded Reporter Genes for MicroRNA Imaging in Living Cells and Animals. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:555-567. [PMID: 32721876 PMCID: PMC7390858 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by base paring with the complementary sequences of the target mRNAs, and then exert their function through degrading mRNA or inhibiting protein translation. They play a significant role as a regulatory factor in biological processes of organism development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Some of the traditional methods for studying miRNAs, such as northern blot, real-time PCR, or microarray, have been extensively used to investigate the biological properties and expression patterns of miRNAs. However, these methods often require considerable time, cell samples, and the design of effective primers or specific probes. Therefore, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of miRNAs in biological processes and accelerate the clinical application of miRNAs in the field of disease treatment, non-invasive, sensitive, and efficient imaging methods are needed to visualize the dynamic expression of miRNAs in living cells and animals. In this study, we reviewed the recent progress in the genetically encoded reporter genes for miRNA imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingzhuang Song
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Zhijing Xu
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China
| | - Fu Wang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, China; Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China.
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Bruemmer KJ, Crossley SWM, Chang CJ. Activity-Based Sensing: A Synthetic Methods Approach for Selective Molecular Imaging and Beyond. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:13734-13762. [PMID: 31605413 PMCID: PMC7665898 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201909690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Emerging from the origins of supramolecular chemistry and the development of selective chemical receptors that rely on lock-and-key binding, activity-based sensing (ABS)-which utilizes molecular reactivity rather than molecular recognition for analyte detection-has rapidly grown into a distinct field to investigate the production and regulation of chemical species that mediate biological signaling and stress pathways, particularly metal ions and small molecules. Chemical reactions exploit the diverse chemical reactivity of biological species to enable the development of selective and sensitive synthetic methods to decipher their contributions within complex living environments. The broad utility of this reaction-driven approach facilitates application to imaging platforms ranging from fluorescence, luminescence, photoacoustic, magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography modalities. ABS methods are also being expanded to other fields, such as drug and materials discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Bruemmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Steven W M Crossley
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christopher J Chang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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Gammon ST, Liu TW, Piwnica-Worms D. Interrogating Cellular Communication in Cancer with Genetically Encoded Imaging Reporters. Radiol Imaging Cancer 2020; 2:e190053. [PMID: 32803164 PMCID: PMC7398120 DOI: 10.1148/rycan.2020190053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Cells continuously communicate changes in their microenvironment, both locally and globally, with other cells in the organism. Integration of information arising from signaling networks impart continuous, time-dependent changes of cell function and phenotype. Use of genetically encoded reporters enable researchers to noninvasively monitor time-dependent changes in intercellular and intracellular signaling, which can be interrogated by macroscopic and microscopic optical imaging, nuclear medicine imaging, MRI, and even photoacoustic imaging techniques. Reporters enable noninvasive monitoring of changes in cell-to-cell proximity, transcription, translation, protein folding, protein association, protein degradation, drug action, and second messengers in real time. Because of their positive impact on preclinical research, attempts to improve the sensitivity and specificity of these reporters, and to develop new types and classes of reporters, remain an active area of investigation. A few reporters have migrated to proof-of-principle clinical demonstrations, and recent advances in genome editing technologies may enable the use of reporters in the context of genome-wide analysis and the imaging of complex genomic regulation in vivo that cannot be readily investigated through standard methodologies. The combination of genetically encoded imaging reporters with continuous improvements in other molecular biology techniques may enhance and expedite target discovery and drug development for cancer interventions and treatment. © RSNA, 2020.
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Sedlacek O, Jirak D, Vit M, Ziołkowska N, Janouskova O, Hoogenboom R. Fluorinated Water-Soluble Poly(2-oxazoline)s as Highly Sensitive 19F MRI Contrast Agents. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Sedlacek
- Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Hlavova, 2030, 128 40 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Jirak
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 140 21 Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, 1st Medicine Faculty, Charles University, Salmovská 1, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Vit
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 140 21 Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Mechatronics Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Technical University of Liberec, Studentská 1402/2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Natalia Ziołkowska
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 140 21 Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, 1st Medicine Faculty, Charles University, Salmovská 1, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Janouskova
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovsky Sq. 2, 162 06 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Richard Hoogenboom
- Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Serganova I, Blasberg RG. Molecular Imaging with Reporter Genes: Has Its Promise Been Delivered? J Nucl Med 2020; 60:1665-1681. [PMID: 31792128 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The first reporter systems were developed in the early 1980s and were based on measuring the activity of an enzyme-as a surrogate measure of promoter-driven transcriptional activity-which is now known as a reporter gene system. The initial objective and application of reporter techniques was to analyze the activity of a specific promoter (namely, the expression of a gene that is under the regulation of the specific promoter that is linked to the reporter gene). This system allows visualization of specific promoter activity with great sensitivity. In general, there are 2 classes of reporter systems: constitutively expressed (always-on) reporter constructs used for cell tracking, and inducible reporter systems sensitive to endogenous signaling molecules and transcription factors that characterize specific tissues, tumors, or signaling pathways.This review traces the development of different reporter systems, using fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins as well as radionuclide-based reporter systems. The development and application of radionuclide-based reporter systems is the focus of this review. The question at the end of the review is whether the "promise" of reporter gene imaging has been realized. What is required for moving forward with radionuclide-based reporter systems, and what is required for successful translation to clinical applications?
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Serganova
- Department of Neurology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ronald G Blasberg
- Department of Neurology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York .,Department of Radiology, Memorial Hospital, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; and.,Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Zsidó BZ, Hetényi C. Molecular Structure, Binding Affinity, and Biological Activity in the Epigenome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114134. [PMID: 32531926 PMCID: PMC7311975 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of valid structure–activity relationships (SARs) is a key to the elucidation of pathomechanisms of epigenetic diseases and the development of efficient, new drugs. The present review is based on selected methodologies and applications supplying molecular structure, binding affinity and biological activity data for the development of new SARs. An emphasis is placed on emerging trends and permanent challenges of new discoveries of SARs in the context of proteins as epigenetic drug targets. The review gives a brief overview and classification of the molecular background of epigenetic changes, and surveys both experimental and theoretical approaches in the field. Besides the results of sophisticated, cutting edge techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, protein crystallography, and isothermal titration calorimetry, examples of frequently used assays and fast screening techniques are also selected. The review features how different experimental methods and theoretical approaches complement each other and result in valid SARs of the epigenome.
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