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Miller ADC, Chowdhury SP, Hanson HW, Linderman SK, Ghasemi HI, Miller WD, Morrissey MA, Richardson CD, Gardner BM, Mukherjee A. Engineering water exchange is a safe and effective method for magnetic resonance imaging in diverse cell types. J Biol Eng 2024; 18:30. [PMID: 38649904 PMCID: PMC11035135 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-024-00424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin-1 (Aqp1), a water channel, has garnered significant interest for cell-based medicine and in vivo synthetic biology due to its ability to be genetically encoded to produce magnetic resonance signals by increasing the rate of water diffusion in cells. However, concerns regarding the effects of Aqp1 overexpression and increased membrane diffusivity on cell physiology have limited its widespread use as a deep-tissue reporter. In this study, we present evidence that Aqp1 generates strong diffusion-based magnetic resonance signals without adversely affecting cell viability or morphology in diverse cell lines derived from mice and humans. Our findings indicate that Aqp1 overexpression does not induce ER stress, which is frequently associated with heterologous expression of membrane proteins. Furthermore, we observed that Aqp1 expression had no detrimental effects on native biological activities, such as phagocytosis, immune response, insulin secretion, and tumor cell migration in the analyzed cell lines. These findings should serve to alleviate any lingering safety concerns regarding the utilization of Aqp1 as a genetic reporter and should foster its broader application as a noninvasive reporter for in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin D C Miller
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Soham P Chowdhury
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Hadley W Hanson
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Sarah K Linderman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Hannah I Ghasemi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Wyatt D Miller
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Meghan A Morrissey
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Chris D Richardson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Brooke M Gardner
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA.
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Miller ADC, Chowdhury SP, Hanson HW, Linderman SK, Ghasemi HI, Miller WD, Morrissey MA, Richardson CD, Gardner BM, Mukherjee A. Engineering water exchange is a safe and effective method for magnetic resonance imaging in diverse cell types. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.07.566095. [PMID: 37986852 PMCID: PMC10659288 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporin-1 (Aqp1), a water channel, has garnered significant interest for cell-based medicine and in vivo synthetic biology due to its ability to be genetically encoded to produce magnetic resonance signals by increasing the rate of water diffusion in cells. However, concerns regarding the effects of Aqp1 overexpression and increased membrane diffusivity on cell physiology have limited its widespread use as a deep-tissue reporter. In this study, we present evidence that Aqp1 generates strong diffusion-based magnetic resonance signals without adversely affecting cell viability or morphology in diverse cell lines derived from mice and humans. Our findings indicate that Aqp1 overexpression does not induce ER stress, which is frequently associated with heterologous expression of membrane proteins. Furthermore, we observed that Aqp1 expression had no detrimental effects on native biological activities, such as phagocytosis, immune response, insulin secretion, and tumor cell migration in the analyzed cell lines. These findings should serve to alleviate any lingering safety concerns regarding the utilization of Aqp1 as a genetic reporter and should foster its broader application as a noninvasive reporter for in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin D C Miller
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Soham P Chowdhury
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Hadley W Hanson
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Sarah K Linderman
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Hannah I Ghasemi
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Wyatt D Miller
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Meghan A Morrissey
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Chris D Richardson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Brooke M Gardner
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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Quinton AR, McDowell HB, Hoiczyk E. Encapsulins: Nanotechnology's future in a shell. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2023; 125:1-48. [PMID: 38783722 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Encapsulins, virus capsid-like bacterial nanocompartments have emerged as promising tools in medicine, imaging, and material sciences. Recent work has shown that these protein-bound icosahedral 'organelles' possess distinct properties that make them exceptionally usable for nanotechnology applications. A key factor contributing to their appeal is their ability to self-assemble, coupled with their capacity to encapsulate a wide range of cargos. Their genetic manipulability, stability, biocompatibility, and nano-size further enhance their utility, offering outstanding possibilities for practical biotechnology applications. In particular, their amenability to engineering has led to their extensive modification, including the packaging of non-native cargos and the utilization of the shell surface for displaying immunogenic or targeting proteins and peptides. This inherent versatility, combined with the ease of expressing encapsulins in heterologous hosts, promises to provide broad usability. Although mostly not yet commercialized, encapsulins have started to demonstrate their vast potential for biotechnology, from drug delivery to biofuel production and the synthesis of valuable inorganic materials. In this review, we will initially discuss the structure, function and diversity of encapsulins, which form the basis for these emerging applications, before reviewing ongoing practical uses and highlighting promising applications in medicine, engineering and environmental sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Ruth Quinton
- School of Biosciences, The Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Benjamin McDowell
- School of Biosciences, The Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Egbert Hoiczyk
- School of Biosciences, The Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Seo JP, Trippett JS, Huang Z, Wang RZ, Lee S, Szablowski JO. Acoustically-Targeted Measurement of Transgene Expression in the Brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541868. [PMID: 37292585 PMCID: PMC10245922 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is a critical component of brain physiology and activity, but monitoring this expression in the living brain represents a significant challenge. Here, we introduce a new paradigm called Recovery of Markers through InSonation (REMIS) for noninvasive measurement of gene expression in the brain with cell-type, spatial, and temporal specificity. Our approach relies on engineered protein markers that are designed to be expressed in neurons and exit into the interstitium. By applying ultrasound to targeted brain regions, these markers are released into the bloodstream, where they can be readily detected using biochemical techniques. REMIS can noninvasively confirm gene delivery and measure endogenous signaling in specific brain sites through a simple insonation and a subsequent blood test. Using REMIS, we successfully measured chemogenetic induction of neuronal activity in ultrasound-tar-geted brain regions. REMIS recovery of markers is reliable and demonstrated improved recovery of markers from the brain into the blood in every tested animal. Overall, our work establishes a noninvasive, spatially-specific means of monitoring gene delivery outcomes and endogenous signaling in mammalian brains, opening up possibilities for brain research and noninvasive monitoring of gene therapies in the brain.
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Lau D, Corrie PG, Gallagher FA. MRI techniques for immunotherapy monitoring. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004708. [PMID: 36122963 PMCID: PMC9486399 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MRI is a widely available clinical tool for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. MRI provides excellent soft tissue imaging, using a wide range of contrast mechanisms, and can non-invasively detect tissue metabolites. These approaches can be used to distinguish cancer from normal tissues, to stratify tumor aggressiveness, and to identify changes within both the tumor and its microenvironment in response to therapy. In this review, the role of MRI in immunotherapy monitoring will be discussed and how it could be utilized in the future to address some of the unique clinical questions that arise from immunotherapy. For example, MRI could play a role in identifying pseudoprogression, mixed response, T cell infiltration, cell tracking, and some of the characteristic immune-related adverse events associated with these agents. The factors to be considered when developing MRI imaging biomarkers for immunotherapy will be reviewed. Finally, the advantages and limitations of each approach will be discussed, as well as the challenges for future clinical translation into routine clinical care. Given the increasing use of immunotherapy in a wide range of cancers and the ability of MRI to detect the microstructural and functional changes associated with successful response to immunotherapy, the technique has great potential for more widespread and routine use in the future for these applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Lau
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pippa G Corrie
- Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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Abstract
Molecular imaging is used to improve the disease diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring of treatment in living subjects. Numerous molecular targets have been developed for various cellular and molecular processes in genetic, metabolic, proteomic, and cellular biologic level. Molecular imaging modalities such as Optical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), and Computed Tomography (CT) can be used to visualize anatomic, genetic, biochemical, and physiologic changes in vivo. For in vivo cell imaging, certain cells such as cancer cells, immune cells, stem cells could be labeled by direct and indirect labeling methods to monitor cell migration, cell activity, and cell effects in cell-based therapy. In case of cancer, it could be used to investigate biological processes such as cancer metastasis and to analyze the drug treatment process. In addition, transplanted stem cells and immune cells in cell-based therapy could be visualized and tracked to confirm the fate, activity, and function of cells. In conventional molecular imaging, cells can be monitored in vivo in bulk non-invasively with optical imaging, MRI, PET, and SPECT imaging. However, single cell imaging in vivo has been a great challenge due to an extremely high sensitive detection of single cell. Recently, there has been great attention for in vivo single cell imaging due to the development of single cell study. In vivo single imaging could analyze the survival or death, movement direction, and characteristics of a single cell in live subjects. In this article, we reviewed basic principle of in vivo molecular imaging and introduced recent studies for in vivo single cell imaging based on the concept of in vivo molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongje Hong
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Siyeon Rhee
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kyung Oh Jung
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Khodanovich MY, Anan’ina TV, Krutenkova EP, Akulov AE, Kudabaeva MS, Svetlik MV, Tumentceva YA, Shadrina MM, Naumova AV. Challenges and Practical Solutions to MRI and Histology Matching and Measurements Using Available ImageJ Software Tools. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1556. [PMID: 35884861 PMCID: PMC9313422 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally histology is the gold standard for the validation of imaging experiments. Matching imaging slices and histological sections and the precise outlining of corresponding tissue structures are difficult. Challenges are based on differences in imaging and histological slice thickness as well as tissue shrinkage and alterations after processing. Here we describe step-by-step instructions that might be used as a universal pathway to overlay MRI and histological images and for a correlation of measurements between imaging modalities. The free available (Fiji is just) ImageJ software tools were used for regions of interest transformation (ROIT) and alignment using a rat brain MRI as an example. The developed ROIT procedure was compared to a manual delineation of rat brain structures. The ROIT plugin was developed for ImageJ to enable an automatization of the image processing and structural analysis of the rodent brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Y. Khodanovich
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Tatyana V. Anan’ina
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Elena P. Krutenkova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Andrey E. Akulov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 10 Lavrentyeva Avenue, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Marina S. Kudabaeva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Mikhail V. Svetlik
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Yana A. Tumentceva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Maria M. Shadrina
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
| | - Anna V. Naumova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, Russia. 36, Lenina Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia; (T.V.A.); len-- (E.P.K.); (M.S.K.); (M.V.S.); (Y.A.T.); (M.M.S.); (A.V.N.)
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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Sen S, Thaker A, Sirajudeen L, Williams D, Nannenga BL. Protein-Nanoparticle Complex Structure Determination by Cryo-Electron Microscopy. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:4696-4700. [PMID: 35587230 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00130] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Methods that allow the study of the structure of proteins in complex with nanomaterials promise to enhance our understanding of how biological molecules interface with inorganic materials. We used single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to demonstrate the potential for cryo-EM analysis to reveal structural details of protein-nanoparticle complexes. Two protein-nanomaterial complexes, namely, GroEL bound to platinum nanoparticles (GroEL-PtNP) and ferritin bound to an iron oxide nanoparticle, were used as model samples. For the GroEL-PtNP complex, a final reconstruction was obtained to 3.93 Å, which allowed us to fit the atomic model of GroEL into the resulting map. This sets the stage for future work and improvements on the use of cryo-EM for the study of protein-nanomaterial complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagnik Sen
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 East Tyler Street, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
| | - Amar Thaker
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 East Tyler Street, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
| | - Luqmanal Sirajudeen
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 East Tyler Street, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
| | - Dewight Williams
- John M. Cowley Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy, Arizona State University, Tempe 85281, Arizona, United States
| | - Brent L Nannenga
- Chemical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
- Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 727 East Tyler Street, Tempe 85287, Arizona, United States
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Bao G, Sun J, Zheng H, Hou J, Huang J, Wei J, Fu Y, Qiu J, Zou X, Xiang B, Cai J. Visualization of microRNA-21 Dynamics in Neuroblastoma Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based on a microRNA-21-Responsive Reporter Gene. Front Oncol 2021; 11:747305. [PMID: 34804934 PMCID: PMC8602822 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.747305] [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: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRs) have been shown to be closely associated with the occurrence and development of tumors and to have potential as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The detection of miRs by noninvasive imaging technology is crucial for deeply understanding their biological functions. Our aim was to develop a novel miR-21-responsive gene reporter system for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualization of the miR-21 dynamics in neuroblastoma. Methods The reporter gene ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) was modified by the addition of 3 copies of the sequence completely complementary to miR-21 (3xC_miR-21) to its 3’-untranslated region (3’ UTR) and transduced into SK-N-SH cells to obtain SK-N-SH/FTH1-3xC_miR-21 cells. Then, the antagomiR-21 was delivered into cells by graphene oxide functionalized with polyethylene glycol and dendrimer. Before and after antagomiR-21 delivery, FTH1 expression, MRI contrast and intracellular iron uptake were assayed in vitro and in vivo. Results In the SK-N-SH/FTH1-3xC_miR-21 cells, FTH1 expression was in an “off” state due to the combination of intratumoral miR-21 with the 3’ UTR of the reporter gene. AntagomiR-21 delivered into the cells bound to miR-21 and thereby released it from the 3’ UTR of the reporter gene, thus “switching on” FTH1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. This phenomenon resulted in intracellular iron accumulation and allowed MRI detection in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion MRI based on the miR-21-responsive gene reporter may be a potential method for visualization of the endogenous miR-21 activity in neuroblastoma and its response to gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcheng Bao
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Department of Radiology, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Helin Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jingxin Hou
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuanqiao Fu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiawen Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuefeng Zou
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Computational Nano-Material Science, Guizhou Education University, Guiyang, China
| | - Bin Xiang
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinhua Cai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
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10
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Cai A, Zheng N, Thompson GJ, Wu Y, Nie B, Lin K, Su P, Wu J, Manyande A, Zhu L, Wang J, Xu F. Longitudinal neural connection detection using a ferritin-encoding adeno-associated virus vector and in vivo MRI method. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:5010-5022. [PMID: 34288264 PMCID: PMC8449107 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The investigation of neural circuits is important for interpreting both healthy brain function and psychiatric disorders. Currently, the architecture of neural circuits is always investigated with fluorescent protein encoding neurotropic virus and ex vivo fluorescent imaging technology. However, it is difficult to obtain a whole‐brain neural circuit connection in living animals, due to the limited fluorescent imaging depth. Herein, the noninvasive, whole‐brain imaging technique of MRI and the hypotoxicity virus vector AAV (adeno‐associated virus) were combined to investigate the whole‐brain neural circuits in vivo. AAV2‐retro are an artificially‐evolved virus vector that permits access to the terminal of neurons and retrograde transport to their cell bodies. By expressing the ferritin protein which could accumulate iron ions and influence the MRI contrast, the neurotropic virus can cause MRI signal changes in the infected regions. For mice injected with the ferritin‐encoding virus vector (rAAV2‐retro‐CAG‐Ferritin) in the caudate putamen (CPu), several regions showed significant changes in MRI contrasts, such as PFC (prefrontal cortex), HIP (hippocampus), Ins (insular cortex) and BLA (basolateral amygdala). The expression of ferritin in those regions was also verified with ex vivo fluorescence imaging. In addition, we demonstrated that changes in T2 relaxation time could be used to identify the spread area of the virus in the brain over time. Thus, the neural connections could be longitudinally detected with the in vivo MRI method. This novel technique could be utilized to observe the viral infection process and detect the neural circuits in a living animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoling Cai
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China
| | - Ning Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Energy Technology, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kunzhang Lin
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng Su
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinfeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China
| | - Anne Manyande
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University of West London, London, UK
| | - LingQiang Zhu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Lab of Neurological Disorder of Education Ministry, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Basic Medicine for Diabetes, 2nd Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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11
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Concilio SC, Russell SJ, Peng KW. A brief review of reporter gene imaging in oncolytic virotherapy and gene therapy. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2021; 21:98-109. [PMID: 33981826 PMCID: PMC8065251 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reporter gene imaging (RGI) can accelerate development timelines for gene and viral therapies by facilitating rapid and noninvasive in vivo studies to determine the biodistribution, magnitude, and durability of viral gene expression and/or virus infection. Functional molecular imaging systems used for this purpose can be divided broadly into deep-tissue and optical modalities. Deep-tissue modalities, which can be used in animals of any size as well as in human subjects, encompass single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional/molecular magnetic resonance imaging (f/mMRI). Optical modalities encompass fluorescence, bioluminescence, Cerenkov luminescence, and photoacoustic imaging and are suitable only for small animal imaging. Here we discuss the mechanisms of action and relative merits of currently available reporter gene systems, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of deep tissue versus optical imaging systems and the hardware/reagents that are used for data capture and processing. In light of recent technological advances, falling costs of imaging instruments, better availability of novel radioactive and optical tracers, and a growing realization that RGI can give invaluable insights across the entire in vivo translational spectrum, the approach is becoming increasingly essential to facilitate the competitive development of new virus- and gene-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kah-Whye Peng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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12
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Plays M, Müller S, Rodriguez R. Chemistry and biology of ferritin. Metallomics 2021; 13:6244244. [PMID: 33881539 PMCID: PMC8083198 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Iron is an essential element required by cells and has been described as a key player in ferroptosis. Ferritin operates as a fundamental iron storage protein in cells forming multimeric assemblies with crystalline iron cores. We discuss the latest findings on ferritin structure and activity and its link to cell metabolism and ferroptosis. The chemistry of iron, including its oxidation states, is important for its biological functions, its reactivity, and the biology of ferritin. Ferritin can be localized in different cellular compartments and secreted by cells with a variety of functions depending on its spatial context. Here, we discuss how cellular ferritin localization is tightly linked to its function in a tissue-specific manner, and how impairment of iron homeostasis is implicated in diseases, including cancer and coronavirus disease 2019. Ferritin is a potential biomarker and we discuss latest research where it has been employed for imaging purposes and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Plays
- Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,Centre national de la recherche scientifique UMR 3666, Paris, France.,Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1143, Paris, France.,PSL Université Paris, Paris, France
| | - Sebastian Müller
- Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,Centre national de la recherche scientifique UMR 3666, Paris, France.,Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1143, Paris, France.,PSL Université Paris, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Rodriguez
- Chemical Biology of Cancer Laboratory, Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.,Centre national de la recherche scientifique UMR 3666, Paris, France.,Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1143, Paris, France.,PSL Université Paris, Paris, France
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13
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Efremova MV, Bodea SV, Sigmund F, Semkina A, Westmeyer GG, Abakumov MA. Genetically Encoded Self-Assembling Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Possible Platform for Cancer-Cell Tracking. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13030397. [PMID: 33809789 PMCID: PMC8002387 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13030397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of growth and possible metastasis in animal models of tumors would benefit from reliable cell labels for noninvasive whole-organism imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging. Genetically encoded cell-tracking reporters have the advantage that they are contrast-selective for viable cells with intact protein expression machinery. Besides, these reporters do not suffer from dilution during cell division. Encapsulins, which are bacterial protein nanocompartments, can serve as genetically controlled labels for multimodal detection of cells. Such nanocompartments can host various guest molecules inside their lumen. These include, for example, fluorescent proteins or enzymes with ferroxidase activity leading to biomineralization of iron oxide inside the encapsulin nanoshell. The aim of this work was to implement heterologous expression of encapsulin systems from Quasibacillus thermotolerans using the fluorescent reporter protein mScarlet-I and ferroxidase IMEF in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The successful expression of self-assembled encapsulin nanocompartments with functional cargo proteins was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Also, coexpression of encapsulin nanoshells, ferroxidase cargo, and iron transporter led to an increase in T2-weighted contrast in magnetic resonance imaging of HepG2 cells. The results demonstrate that the encapsulin cargo system from Q. thermotolerans may be suitable for multimodal imaging of cancer cells and could contribute to further in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Efremova
- Department of Chemistry & TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.-V.B.); (F.S.); (G.G.W.)
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.V.E.); (M.A.A.); Tel.: +74-95-638-4465 (M.A.A.)
| | - Silviu-Vasile Bodea
- Department of Chemistry & TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.-V.B.); (F.S.); (G.G.W.)
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Felix Sigmund
- Department of Chemistry & TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.-V.B.); (F.S.); (G.G.W.)
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alevtina Semkina
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- V.P. Serbskiy National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Narcology, 119034 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gil G. Westmeyer
- Department of Chemistry & TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (S.-V.B.); (F.S.); (G.G.W.)
- Institute for Synthetic Biomedicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Maxim A. Abakumov
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory “Biomedical Nanomaterials”, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, 119049 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (M.V.E.); (M.A.A.); Tel.: +74-95-638-4465 (M.A.A.)
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14
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Tissue-Specific Ferritin- and GFP-Based Genetic Vectors Visualize Neurons by MRI in the Intact and Post-Ischemic Rat Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238951. [PMID: 33255702 PMCID: PMC7728074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238951] [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: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Neurogenesis is considered to be a potential brain repair mechanism and is enhanced in stroke. It is difficult to reconstruct the neurogenesis process only from the histological sections taken from different animals at different stages of brain damage and restoration. Study of neurogenesis would greatly benefit from development of tissue-specific visualization probes. (2) Purpose: The study aimed to explore if overexpression of ferritin, a nontoxic iron-binding protein, under a doublecortin promoter can be used for non-invasive visualization of neurogenesis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (3) Methods: Ferritin heavy chain (FerrH) was expressed in the adeno-associated viral backbone (AAV) under the doublecortin promoter (pDCX), specific for young neurons, in the viral construct AAV-pDCX-FerrH. Expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was used as an expression control (AAV-pDCX-eGFP). The viral vectors or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected intracerebrally into 18 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. Three days before injection, rats underwent transient middle-cerebral-artery occlusion or sham operation. Animals were subjected to In vivo MRI study before surgery and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after injection using a Bruker BioSpec 11.7 T scanner. Brain sections obtained on day 28 after injection were immunostained for ferritin, young (DCX) and mature (NeuN) neurons, and activated microglia/macrophages (CD68). Additionally, RT-PCR was performed to confirm ferritin expression. (4) Results: T2* images in post-ischemic brains of animals injected with AAV-pDCX-FerrH showed two distinct zones of MRI signal hypointensity in the ipsilesioned hemisphere starting from 14 days after viral injection—in the ischemic lesion and near the lateral ventricle and subventricular zone (SVZ). In sham-operated animals, only one zone of hypointensity near the lateral ventricle and SVZ was revealed. Immunochemistry showed that ferritin-expressing cells in ischemic lesions were macrophages (88.1%), while ferritin-expressing cells near the lateral ventricle in animals both after ischemia and sham operation were mostly mature (55.7% and 61.8%, respectively) and young (30.6% and 7.1%, respectively) neurons. RT-PCR confirmed upregulated expression of ferritin in the caudoputamen and corpus callosum. Surprisingly, in animals injected with AAV-pDCX-eGFP we similarly observed two zones of hypointensity on T2* images. Cellular studies also showed the presence of mature (81.5%) and young neurons (6.1%) near the lateral ventricle in both postischemic and sham-operated animals, while macrophages in ischemic lesions were ferritin-positive (98.2%). (5) Conclusion: Ferritin overexpression induced by injection of AAV-pDCX-FerrH was detected by MRI using T2*-weighted images, which was confirmed by immunochemistry showing ferritin in young and mature neurons. Expression of eGFP also caused a comparable reduced MR signal intensity in T2*-weighted images. Additional studies are needed to investigate the potential and tissue-specific features of the use of eGFP and ferritin expression in MRI studies.
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15
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Llambrich S, Wouters J, Himmelreich U, Dierssen M, Sharpe J, Gsell W, Martínez-Abadías N, Vande Velde G. ViceCT and whiceCT for simultaneous high-resolution visualization of craniofacial, brain and ventricular anatomy from micro-computed tomography. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18772. [PMID: 33128010 PMCID: PMC7599226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 40% of congenital diseases present disturbances of brain and craniofacial development resulting in simultaneous alterations of both systems. Currently, the best available method to preclinically visualize the brain and the bones simultaneously is to co-register micro-magnetic resonance (µMR) and micro-computed tomography (µCT) scans of the same specimen. However, this requires expertise and access to both imaging techniques, dedicated software and post-processing knowhow. To provide a more affordable, reliable and accessible alternative, recent research has focused on optimizing a contrast-enhanced µCT protocol using iodine as contrast agent that delivers brain and bone images from a single scan. However, the available methods still cannot provide the complete visualization of both the brain and whole craniofacial complex. In this study, we have established an optimized protocol to diffuse the contrast into the brain that allows visualizing the brain parenchyma and the complete craniofacial structure in a single ex vivo µCT scan (whiceCT). In addition, we have developed a new technique that allows visualizing the brain ventricles using a bilateral stereotactic injection of iodine-based contrast (viceCT). Finally, we have tested both techniques in a mouse model of Down syndrome, as it is a neurodevelopmental disorder with craniofacial, brain and ventricle defects. The combined use of viceCT and whiceCT provides a complete visualization of the brain and bones with intact craniofacial structure of an adult mouse ex vivo using a single imaging modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Llambrich
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens Wouters
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - James Sharpe
- EMBL Barcelona, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain Institució Catalana de Recerca I Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Willy Gsell
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Neus Martínez-Abadías
- GREAB-Research Group in Biological Anthropology. Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, BEECA. Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 O&N1 box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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16
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Szulc DA, Lee XA, Cheng HYM, Cheng HLM. Bright Ferritin-a Reporter Gene Platform for On-Demand, Longitudinal Cell Tracking on MRI. iScience 2020; 23:101350. [PMID: 32707432 PMCID: PMC7381694 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A major unresolved challenge in cell-based regenerative medicine is the absence of non-invasive technologies for tracking cell fate in deep tissue and with high spatial resolution over an extended interval. MRI is highly suited for this task, but current methods fail to provide longitudinal monitoring or high sensitivity, or both. In this study, we fill this technological gap with the first discovery and demonstration of in vivo cellular production of endogenous bright contrast via an MRI genetic reporter system that forms manganese-ferritin nanoparticles. We demonstrate this technology in human embryonic kidney cells genetically modified to stably overexpress ferritin and show that, in the presence of manganese, these cells produce far greater contrast than conventional ferritin overexpression with iron or manganese-permeable cells. In living mice, diffusely implanted bright-ferritin cells produce the highest and most sustained contrast in skeletal muscle. The bright-ferritin platform has potential for on-demand, longitudinal, and sensitive cell tracking in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Szulc
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, RS407, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Translational Biology & Engineering Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Xavier A Lee
- Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Translational Biology & Engineering Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Hai-Ying Mary Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, RS407, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada; Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Translational Biology & Engineering Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada; The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G4, Canada.
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17
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Ozbakir HF, Anderson NT, Fan KC, Mukherjee A. Beyond the Green Fluorescent Protein: Biomolecular Reporters for Anaerobic and Deep-Tissue Imaging. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:293-302. [PMID: 31794658 PMCID: PMC7033020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence imaging represents cornerstone technology for studying biological function at the cellular and molecular levels. The technology's centerpiece is a prolific collection of genetic reporters based on the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and related analogs. More than two decades of protein engineering have endowed the GFP repertoire with an incredible assortment of fluorescent proteins, allowing scientists immense latitude in choosing reporters tailored to various cellular and environmental contexts. Nevertheless, GFP and derivative reporters have specific limitations that hinder their unrestricted use for molecular imaging. These challenges have inspired the development of new reporter proteins and imaging mechanisms. Here, we review how these developments are expanding the frontiers of reporter gene techniques to enable nondestructive studies of cell function in anaerobic environments and deep inside intact animals-two important biological contexts that are fundamentally incompatible with the use of GFP-based reporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harun F. Ozbakir
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Nolan T. Anderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Kang-Ching Fan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Center for Bioengineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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18
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Nasrollahi F, Sana B, Paramelle D, Ahadian S, Khademhosseini A, Lim S. Incorporation of Graphene Quantum Dots, Iron, and Doxorubicin in/on Ferritin Nanocages for Bimodal Imaging and Drug Delivery. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.201900183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Nasrollahi
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive, Block N1.3 Singapore 637457
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C‐MIT)University of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- School of Chemical Engineering, College of EngineeringUniversity of Tehran P.O. Box: 11155/4563 Tehran Iran
| | - Barindra Sana
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive, Block N1.3 Singapore 637457
- p53 LaboratoryAgency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) 8A Biomedical Grove Singapore 138648
| | - David Paramelle
- Institute of Materials Research and EngineeringA*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08‐03 Singapore 138634
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C‐MIT)University of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C‐MIT)University of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of MedicineDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringUniversity of California—Los Angeles Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Sierin Lim
- School of Chemical and Biomedical EngineeringNanyang Technological University 70 Nanyang Drive, Block N1.3 Singapore 637457
- NTU‐Northwestern Institute for Nanomedicine (NNIN)Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Drive, Block N3.1, #01‐03 Singapore 637553
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19
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Guo R, Li Q, Yang F, Hu X, Jiao J, Guo Y, Wang J, Zhang Y. In Vivo MR Imaging of Dual MRI Reporter Genes and Deltex-1 Gene-modified Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Closed Penile Fracture. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:417-427. [PMID: 28971290 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-017-1128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of dual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter genes, including ferritin heavy subunit (Fth) and transferrin receptor (TfR), which provide sufficient MRI contrast for in vivo MRI tracking, and the Deltex-1 (DTX1) gene, which promotes human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) differentiation to smooth muscle cells (SMCs), to treat closed penile fracture (CPF). METHODS Multi-gene co-expressing hMSCs were generated. The expression of mRNA and proteins was assessed, and the original biological properties of hMSCs were determined and compared. The intracellular uptake of iron was evaluated, and the ability to differentiate into SMCs was detected. Fifty rabbits with CPF were randomly transplanted with PBS, hMSCs, Fth-TfR-hMSCs, DTX1-hMSCs, and Fth-TfR-DTX1-hMSCs. In vivo MRI was performed to detect the distribution and migration of the grafted cells and healing progress of CPF, and the results were correlated with histology. RESULTS The mRNA and proteins of the multi-gene were highly expressed. The transgenes could not influence the original biological properties of hMSCs. The dual MRI reporter genes increased the iron accumulation capacity, and the DTX1 gene promoted hMSC differentiation into SMCs. The distribution and migration of the dual MRI reporter gene-modified hMSCs, and the healing state of CPF could be obviously detected by MRI and confirmed by histology. CONCLUSION The dual MRI reporter genes could provide sufficient MRI contrast, and the distribution and migration of MSCs could be detected in vivo. The DTX1 gene can promote MSC differentiation into SMCs for the treatment of CPF and effectively inhibit granulation tissue formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruomi Guo
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingling Li
- Department of VIP Medical Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Hu
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ju Jiao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of VIP Medical Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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20
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Mallett CL, Shuboni-Mulligan DD, Shapiro EM. Tracking Neural Progenitor Cell Migration in the Rodent Brain Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Neurosci 2019; 12:995. [PMID: 30686969 PMCID: PMC6337062 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of neurogenesis and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is important across the biomedical spectrum, from learning about normal brain development and studying disease to engineering new strategies in regenerative medicine. In adult mammals, NPCs proliferate in two main areas of the brain, the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone, and continue to migrate even after neurogenesis has ceased within the rest of the brain. In healthy animals, NPCs migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) from the SVZ to the olfactory bulb, and in diseased animals, NPCs migrate toward lesions such as stroke and tumors. Here we review how MRI-based cell tracking using iron oxide particles can be used to monitor and quantify NPC migration in the intact rodent brain, in a serial and relatively non-invasive fashion. NPCs can either be labeled directly in situ by injecting particles into the lateral ventricle or RMS, where NPCs can take up particles, or cells can be harvested and labeled in vitro, then injected into the brain. For in situ labeling experiments, the particle type, injection site, and image analysis methods have been optimized and cell migration toward stroke and multiple sclerosis lesions has been investigated. Delivery of labeled exogenous NPCs has allowed imaging of cell migration toward more sites of neuropathology, which may enable new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for as-of-yet untreatable neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane L. Mallett
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Dorela D. Shuboni-Mulligan
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Erik M. Shapiro
- Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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Li M, Wang Y, Liu M, Lan X. Multimodality reporter gene imaging: Construction strategies and application. Theranostics 2018; 8:2954-2973. [PMID: 29896296 PMCID: PMC5996353 DOI: 10.7150/thno.24108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging has played an important role in the noninvasive exploration of multiple biological processes. Reporter gene imaging is a key part of molecular imaging. By combining with a reporter probe, a reporter protein can induce the accumulation of specific signals that are detectable by an imaging device to provide indirect information of reporter gene expression in living subjects. There are many types of reporter genes and each corresponding imaging technique has its own advantages and drawbacks. Fused reporter genes or single reporter genes with products detectable by multiple imaging modalities can compensate for the disadvantages and potentiate the advantages of each modality. Reporter gene multimodality imaging could be applied to trace implanted cells, monitor gene therapy, assess endogenous molecular events, screen drugs, etc. Although several types of multimodality imaging apparatus and multimodality reporter genes are available, more sophisticated detectors and multimodality reporter gene systems are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Mei Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging
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Programmed Self-Assembly of a Biochemical and Magnetic Scaffold to Trigger and Manipulate Microtubule Structures. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11344. [PMID: 28900114 PMCID: PMC5595911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10297-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial bio-based scaffolds offer broad applications in bioinspired chemistry, nanomedicine, and material science. One current challenge is to understand how the programmed self-assembly of biomolecules at the nanometre level can dictate the emergence of new functional properties at the mesoscopic scale. Here we report a general approach to design genetically encoded protein-based scaffolds with modular biochemical and magnetic functions. By combining chemically induced dimerization strategies and biomineralisation, we engineered ferritin nanocages to nucleate and manipulate microtubule structures upon magnetic actuation. Triggering the self-assembly of engineered ferritins into micrometric scaffolds mimics the function of centrosomes, the microtubule organizing centres of cells, and provides unique magnetic and self-organizing properties. We anticipate that our approach could be transposed to control various biological processes and extend to broader applications in biotechnology or material chemistry.
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Genetically encoded iron-associated proteins as MRI reporters for molecular and cellular imaging. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 10. [DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Pothayee N, Cummings DM, Schoenfeld TJ, Dodd S, Cameron HA, Belluscio L, Koretsky AP. Magnetic resonance imaging of odorant activity-dependent migration of neural precursor cells and olfactory bulb growth. Neuroimage 2017; 158:232-241. [PMID: 28669915 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.06.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 06/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitors or neuroblasts are produced by precursor cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulbs (OB) throughout life. In the OB, these adult born neurons either die or replace existing olfactory interneurons, playing a critical role in the stabilization of OB circuitry. Although several aspects of the addition of new neurons into the OB have been studied, it is unclear whether long-distance activity from the OB can regulate the influx of migrating neuroblasts along the RMS. In this study, iron oxide-assisted MRI was used to track the migration of neuroblasts in combination with reversible naris occlusion to manipulate odorant-induced activity. It was found that decreasing olfactory activity led to a decrease in the rate of neuroblast migration along the RMS. Removal of the naris occlusion led to an increase in migratory rate back to control levels, indicating that olfactory activity has regulatory function on neuroblast migration in the RMS. Blocking odorant activity also led to an arrest in OB growth and re-opening the block led to a rapid re-growth returning the bulb size to control levels. Furthermore, pharmacogenetic elimination of the neuroblasts demonstrated that they were required for re-growth of the bulb following sensory deprivation. Together, these results show that sensory activity, neural migration and OB growth are tightly coupled in an interdependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikorn Pothayee
- Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Diana M Cummings
- Developmental Neural Plasticity Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Timothy J Schoenfeld
- Section on Neuroplasticity, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stephen Dodd
- Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Heather A Cameron
- Section on Neuroplasticity, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Leonardo Belluscio
- Developmental Neural Plasticity Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alan P Koretsky
- Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Dai HY, He R, Zhang Y, Wu RH, Xiao YY. Adenoviral vector mediated ferritin over-expression in mesenchymal stem cells detected by 7T MRI in vitro. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185260. [PMID: 28945778 PMCID: PMC5612726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present work was to verify whether adenoviral vector mediated ferritin over-expression in mesenchymal stem cells could be detected by 7T MRI device, and to explore the relationship between ferritin content and MRI signal intensities. METHODS A recombined adenoviral vector (rAdV) encoding ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) subunit was specially designed for the aim of infecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Ferritin over-expression in BMSCs was determined by cell immunocytochemistry and the ferritin content in cells was determined by ELISA assay. BMSCs were subjected to cell viability, proliferation and multi-differentiation analyses as well as 7T MRI test using fast spin-echo pulse sequence. The R2 value andδR2 were calculated according to T2 mapping images. RESULTS As was confirmed by cell immunocytochemistry and ELISA assay, rAdV mediated ferritin was over-expressed in BMSCs. Ferritin over-expression did not interfere with stem cell viability or pluripotent differentiation but slowed cell proliferation. The R2 value of BMSCs-FTH1 vs control BMSCs from 1-4 weeks was16.65±1.28 s-1 vs 13.99±0.80 s-1, (t = 3.94, p = 0.004), 15.63±1.37 s-1 vs 13.87±0.83 s-1 (t = 2.47, p = 0.039), 15.53±0.88 s-1 vs 14.25±0.53 s-1 (t = 2.80, p = 0.023) and 14.61±1.28 s-1 vs 13.69±1.03 s-1 (t = 1.25, p = 0.24), respectively. δR2 gradually decreased from 1-4 weeks and the difference between the groups had statistical significance (F = 12.45, p<0.01).δR2 was positively correlated with OD value (r = 0.876, p<0.01) and ferritin concentration (r = 0.899, p<0.01) as determined by Pearson correlation. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms that ferritin could be over-expressed in BMSCs as a result of rAdV mediated infection and could be quantitatively detected by 7T MRI device. The differences in T2 signal intensities and R2 values stem from internal contrast generated by endogenous ferritin over-expression. The correlation between δR2, OD and ferritin concentration suggests that MRI can detect ferritin signal change accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-yang Dai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, China
| | - Rong He
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ren-hua Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Ye-yu Xiao
- Department of Medical Imaging, the 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- * E-mail:
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MRI Reporter Genes for Noninvasive Molecular Imaging. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21050580. [PMID: 27213309 PMCID: PMC6273230 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21050580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important imaging technologies used in clinical diagnosis. Reporter genes for MRI can be applied to accurately track the delivery of cell in cell therapy, evaluate the therapy effect of gene delivery, and monitor tissue/cell-specific microenvironments. Commonly used reporter genes for MRI usually include genes encoding the enzyme (e.g., tyrosinase and β-galactosidase), the receptor on the cells (e.g., transferrin receptor), and endogenous reporter genes (e.g., ferritin reporter gene). However, low sensitivity limits the application of MRI and reporter gene-based multimodal imaging strategies are common including optical imaging and radionuclide imaging. These can significantly improve diagnostic efficiency and accelerate the development of new therapies.
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Patrick PS, Rodrigues TB, Kettunen MI, Lyons SK, Neves AA, Brindle KM. Development of Timd2 as a reporter gene for MRI. Magn Reson Med 2016; 75:1697-707. [PMID: 25981669 PMCID: PMC4832381 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the potential of an MRI gene reporter based on the ferritin receptor Timd2 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing protein 2), using T1- and T2-weighted imaging. METHODS Pellets of cells that had been modified to express the Timd2 transgene, and incubated with either iron-loaded or manganese-loaded ferritin, were imaged using T1- and T2-weighted MRI. Mice were also implanted subcutaneously with Timd2-expressing cells and the resulting xenograft tissue imaged following intravenous injection of ferritin using T2-weighted imaging. RESULTS Timd2-expressing cells, but not control cells, showed a large increase in both R2 and R1 in vitro following incubation with iron-loaded and manganese-loaded ferritin, respectively. Expression of Timd2 had no effect on cell viability or proliferation; however, manganese-loaded ferritin, but not iron-loaded ferritin, was toxic to Timd2-expressing cells. Timd2-expressing xenografts in vivo showed much smaller changes in R2 following injection of iron-loaded ferritin than the same cells incubated in vitro with iron-loaded ferritin. CONCLUSION Timd2 has demonstrated potential as an MRI reporter gene, producing large increases in R2 and R1 with ferritin and manganese-loaded ferritin respectively in vitro, although more modest changes in R2 in vivo. Manganese-loaded apoferritin was not used in vivo due to the toxicity observed in vitro. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Stephen Patrick
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Tiago B. Rodrigues
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Mikko I. Kettunen
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Scott K. Lyons
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - André A. Neves
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Kevin M. Brindle
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
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Rossi M, Massai L, Diamanti D, Fiengo P, De Rosa A, Magrini R, Magnoni L, Chellini S, Coniglio S, Diodato E, Pilli E, Caradonna NP, Sardone G, Monti M, Roggeri R, Lionetti V, Recchia F, Tunici P, Valensin S, Scali C, Pollio G, Porcari V. Multimodal molecular imaging system for pathway-specific reporter gene expression. Eur J Pharm Sci 2016; 86:136-42. [PMID: 26987608 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical imaging modalities represent an essential tool to develop a modern and translational biomedical research. To date, Optical Imaging (OI) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used principally in separate studies for molecular imaging studies. We decided to combine OI and MRI together through the development of a lentiviral vector to monitor the Wnt pathway response to Lithium Chloride (LiCl) treatment. The construct was stably infected in glioblastoma cells and, after intracranial transplantation in mice, serial MRI and OI imaging sessions were performed to detect human ferritin heavy chain protein (hFTH) and firefly luciferase enzyme (FLuc) respectively. The system allowed also ex vivo analysis using a constitutive fluorescence protein expression. In mice, LiCl administration has shown significantly increment of luminescence signal and a lower signal of T2 values (P<0.05), recorded noninvasively with OI and a 7 Tesla MRI scanner. This study indicates that OI and MRI can be performed in a single in vivo experiment, providing an in vivo proof-of-concept for drug discovery projects in preclinical phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rossi
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy.
| | - Luisa Massai
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara Chellini
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Elena Pilli
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio Recchia
- Laboratory of Medical Science, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Carla Scali
- Siena Biotech Medicine Research Centre, Siena, Italy
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Pereira SM, Herrmann A, Moss D, Poptani H, Williams SR, Murray P, Taylor A. Evaluating the effectiveness of transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as a magnetic resonance reporter gene. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2016; 11:236-44. [PMID: 26929139 PMCID: PMC4981909 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) reporter genes have the potential for tracking the biodistribution and fate of cells in vivo, thus allowing the safety, efficacy and mechanisms of action of cell-based therapies to be comprehensively assessed. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of the iron importer transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as an MR reporter gene in the model cell line CHO-K1. Overexpression of the TfR1 transgene led to a reduction in the levels of endogenous TfR1 mRNA, but to a 60-fold increase in total TfR1 protein levels. Although the mRNA levels of ferritin heavy chain-1 (Fth1) did not change, Fth1 protein levels increased 13-fold. The concentration of intracellular iron increased significantly, even when cells were cultured in medium that was not supplemented with iron and the amount of iron in the extracellular environment was thus at physiological levels. However, we found that, by supplementing the cell culture medium with ferric citrate, a comparable degree of iron uptake and MR contrast could be achieved in control cells that did not express the TfR1 transgene. Sufficient MR contrast to enable the cells to be detected in vivo following their administration into the midbrain of chick embryos was obtained irrespective of the reporter gene. We conclude that TfR1 is not an effective reporter and that, to track the biodistribution of cells with MR imaging in the short term, it is sufficient to simply culture cells in the presence of ferric citrate. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia M Pereira
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anne Herrmann
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Diana Moss
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Harish Poptani
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Steve R Williams
- Centre for Imaging Sciences, Oxford Road, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Patricia Murray
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Arthur Taylor
- Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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He X, Cai J, Liu B, Zhong Y, Qin Y. Cellular magnetic resonance imaging contrast generated by the ferritin heavy chain genetic reporter under the control of a Tet-On switch. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:207. [PMID: 26517988 PMCID: PMC4628232 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0205-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the strong appeal of ferritin as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter for stem cell research, no attempts have been made to apply this genetic imaging reporter in stem cells in an inducible manner, which is important for minimizing the potential risk related to the constitutive expression of an imaging reporter. The aim of the present study was to develop an inducible genetic MRI reporter system that enables the production of intracellular MRI contrast as needed. METHODS Ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) was genetically modified by adding a Tet-On switch. A C3H10T1/2 cell line carrying Tet-FTH1 (C3H10T1/2-FTH1) was established via lentiviral transduction. The dose- and time-dependent expression of FTH1 in C3H10T1/2 cells was assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The induced "ON" and non-induced "OFF" expressions of FTH1 were detected using a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Iron accumulation in cells was analyzed by Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS The expression of FTH1 was both dose- and time-dependently induced, and FTH1 expression peaked in response to induction with doxycycline (Dox) at 0.2 μg/ml for 72 h. The induced expression of FTH1 resulted in a significant increase in the transverse relaxation rate of C3H10T1/2-FTH1 cells following iron supplementation. Prussian blue staining and TEM revealed extensive iron accumulation in C3H10T1/2-FTH1 cells in the presence of Dox. CONCLUSIONS Cellular MRI contrast can be produced as needed via the expression of FTH1 under the control of a Tet-On switch. This finding could lay the groundwork for the use of FTH1 to track stem cells in vivo in an inducible manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya He
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center For Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Jinhua Cai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center For Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center For Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Yi Zhong
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center For Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Yong Qin
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China. .,Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center For Child Development and Disorders, 136 Zhongshan 2 Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400014, China.
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Overexpression of the MRI Reporter Genes Ferritin and Transferrin Receptor Affect Iron Homeostasis and Produce Limited Contrast in Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:15481-96. [PMID: 26184159 PMCID: PMC4519909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160715481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Imaging technologies that allow the non-invasive monitoring of stem cells in vivo play a vital role in cell-based regenerative therapies. Recently, much interest has been generated in reporter genes that enable simultaneous monitoring of the anatomical location and viability of cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, we investigate the efficacy of ferritin heavy chain-1 (Fth1) and transferrin receptor-1 (TfR1) as reporters for tracking mesenchymal stem cells. The overexpression of TfR1 was well tolerated by the cells but Fth1 was found to affect the cell’s iron homeostasis, leading to phenotypic changes in the absence of iron supplementation and an upregulation in transcript and protein levels of the cell’s endogenous transferrin receptor. Neither the sole overexpression of Fth1 nor TfR1 resulted in significant increases in intracellular iron content, although significant differences were seen when the two reporter genes were used in combination, in the presence of high concentrations of iron. The supplementation of the culture medium with iron sources was a more efficient means to obtain contrast than the use of reporter genes, where high levels of intracellular iron were reflected in transverse (T2) relaxation. The feasibility of imaging iron-supplemented cells by MRI is shown using a 3R-compliant chick embryo model.
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Tennstaedt A, Aswendt M, Adamczak J, Collienne U, Selt M, Schneider G, Henn N, Schaefer C, Lagouge M, Wiedermann D, Kloppenburg P, Hoehn M. Human neural stem cell intracerebral grafts show spontaneous early neuronal differentiation after several weeks. Biomaterials 2015; 44:143-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rueger MA, Schroeter M. In vivo imaging of endogenous neural stem cells in the adult brain. World J Stem Cells 2015; 7:75-83. [PMID: 25621107 PMCID: PMC4300938 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i1.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of endogenous neural stem cells (eNSCs) in the adult mammalian brain with their ability to self-renew and differentiate into functional neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes has raised the hope for novel therapies of neurological diseases. Experimentally, those eNSCs can be mobilized in vivo, enhancing regeneration and accelerating functional recovery after, e.g., focal cerebral ischemia, thus constituting a most promising approach in stem cell research. In order to translate those current experimental approaches into a clinical setting in the future, non-invasive imaging methods are required to monitor eNSC activation in a longitudinal and intra-individual manner. As yet, imaging protocols to assess eNSC mobilization non-invasively in the live brain remain scarce, but considerable progress has been made in this field in recent years. This review summarizes and discusses the current imaging modalities suitable to monitor eNSCs in individual experimental animals over time, including optical imaging, magnetic resonance tomography and-spectroscopy, as well as positron emission tomography (PET). Special emphasis is put on the potential of each imaging method for a possible clinical translation, and on the specificity of the signal obtained. PET-imaging with the radiotracer 3’-deoxy-3’-[18F]fluoro-L-thymidine in particular constitutes a modality with excellent potential for clinical translation but low specificity; however, concomitant imaging of neuroinflammation is feasible and increases its specificity. The non-invasive imaging strategies presented here allow for the exploitation of novel treatment strategies based upon the regenerative potential of eNSCs, and will help to facilitate a translation into the clinical setting.
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He D, Marles-Wright J. Ferritin family proteins and their use in bionanotechnology. N Biotechnol 2015; 32:651-7. [PMID: 25573765 PMCID: PMC4571993 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2014.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
We discuss bionanotechnology applications of ferritin family proteins. Ferritin family proteins are able to mineralise a range of metal ions. The ferritin and DPS cages can be used in semi-conductor patterning. We explore a commercial application of ferritin as a phosphate removal system for water purification. We examine how the superparamagnetic properties of iron-loaded ferritin can be used in medical imaging.
Ferritin family proteins are found in all kingdoms of life and act to store iron within a protein cage and to protect the cell from oxidative damage caused by the Fenton reaction. The structural and biochemical features of the ferritins have been widely exploited in bionanotechnology applications: from the production of metal nanoparticles; as templates for semi-conductor production; and as scaffolds for vaccine design and drug delivery. In this review we first discuss the structural properties of the main ferritin family proteins, and describe how their organisation specifies their functions. Second, we describe materials science applications of ferritins that rely on their ability to sequester metal within their cavities. Finally, we explore the use of ferritin as a container for drug delivery and as a scaffold for the production of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didi He
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Marles-Wright
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, United Kingdom.
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Duffy BA, Weitz AJ, Lee JH. In vivo imaging of transplanted stem cells in the central nervous system. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2014; 28:83-8. [PMID: 25461455 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2014.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In vivo imaging is increasingly being utilized in studies investigating stem cell-based treatments for neurological disorders. Direct labeling is used in preclinical and clinical studies to track the fate of transplanted cells. To further determine cell viability, experimental studies are able to take advantage of reporter gene technologies. Structural and functional brain imaging can also be used alongside cell imaging as biomarkers of treatment efficacy. Furthermore, it is possible that new imaging techniques could be used to monitor functional integration of stem cell-derived cells with the host nervous system. In this review, we examine recent developments in these areas and identify promising directions for future research at the interface of stem cell therapies and neuroimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben A Duffy
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrew J Weitz
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jin Hyung Lee
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA.
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Danhier P, Gallez B. Electron paramagnetic resonance: a powerful tool to support magnetic resonance imaging research. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 10:266-81. [PMID: 25362845 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the areas where electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has provided unique information to MRI developments. The field of application mainly encompasses the EPR characterization of MRI paramagnetic contrast agents (gadolinium and manganese chelates, nitroxides) and superparamagnetic agents (iron oxide particles). The combined use of MRI and EPR has also been used to qualify or disqualify sources of contrast in MRI. Illustrative examples are presented with attempts to qualify oxygen sensitive contrast (i.e. T1 - and T2 *-based methods), redox status or melanin content in tissues. Other areas are likely to benefit from the combined EPR/MRI approach, namely cell tracking studies. Finally, the combination of EPR and MRI studies on the same models provides invaluable data regarding tissue oxygenation, hemodynamics and energetics. Our description will be illustrative rather than exhaustive to give to the readers a flavour of 'what EPR can do for MRI'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Danhier
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Vande Velde G, Himmelreich U, Neeman M. Reporter gene approaches for mapping cell fate decisions by MRI: promises and pitfalls. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 8:424-31. [PMID: 24375898 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology, namely the process by which information encoded in the DNA serves as the template for transcriptional activation of specific mRNA resulting in temporal and spatial control of the translation of specific proteins, stands at the basis of normal and pathological cellular processes. Serving as the primary mechanism linking genotype to phenotype, it is clearly of significant interest for in vivo imaging. While classically, imaging revolutionized the ability to phenotype the anatomical and physiological impact of induction of changes in gene expression, the preceding molecular events remained invisible. Reporter gene-based imaging techniques provide a window for in vivo visualization of such transcriptional activation events. In addition to the widespread use of fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter genes and development of a number of reporter genes for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, there has been significant progress in the development of reporter genes for MRI. With the development of strategies for cellular based therapies, such imaging tools could become central components for personalized patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI, KU Leuven, O&N I Herestraat 49 - box 505, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Cho IK, Moran SP, Paudyal R, Piotrowska-Nitsche K, Cheng PH, Zhang X, Mao H, Chan AW. Longitudinal monitoring of stem cell grafts in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging with inducible maga as a genetic reporter. Am J Cancer Res 2014; 4:972-89. [PMID: 25161700 PMCID: PMC4143941 DOI: 10.7150/thno.9436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The ability to longitudinally monitor cell grafts and assess their condition is critical for the clinical translation of stem cell therapy in regenerative medicine. Developing an inducible genetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reporter will enable non-invasive and longitudinal monitoring of stem cell grafts in vivo. METHODS MagA, a bacterial gene involved in the formation of iron oxide nanocrystals, was genetically modified for in vivo monitoring of cell grafts by MRI. Inducible expression of MagA was regulated by a Tet-On (Tet) switch. A mouse embryonic stem cell-line carrying Tet-MagA (mESC-MagA) was established by lentivirus transduction. The impact of expressing MagA in mESCs was evaluated via proliferation assay, cytotoxicity assay, teratoma formation, MRI, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Mice were grafted with mESCs with and without MagA (mESC-MagA and mESC-WT). The condition of cell grafts with induced "ON" and non-induced "OFF" expression of MagA was longitudinally monitored in vivo using a 7T MRI scanner. After imaging, whole brain samples were harvested for histological assessment. RESULTS Expression of MagA in mESCs resulted in significant changes in the transverse relaxation rate (R2 or 1/T2) and susceptibility weighted MRI contrast. The pluripotency of mESCs carrying MagA was not affected in vitro or in vivo. Intracranial mESC-MagA grafts generated sufficient T2 and susceptibility weighted contrast at 7T. The mESC-MagA grafts can be monitored by MRI longitudinally upon induced expression of MagA by administering doxycycline (Dox) via diet. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate MagA could be used to monitor cell grafts noninvasively, longitudinally, and repetitively, enabling the assessment of cell graft conditions in vivo.
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Chen Y, Carter RL, Cho IK, Chan AWS. Cell-based therapies for Huntington's disease. Drug Discov Today 2014; 19:980-4. [PMID: 24631682 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based therapies are a viable option for the long-term treatment of Huntington's disease (HD), which is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration predominately in the striatum and cortex. Current research focuses on genetic suppression of the mutant huntingtin (mHTT) gene and cell replacement therapy of the lost cells in HD. As we discuss here, the recent development of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells technology demonstrated the potential of cell-based therapy in rodent models. It was shown that iPSCs were capable of differentiating into lost neurons in HD and stem cell grafts can improve motor deficiency in HD rodent models. Altogether, these findings have shown great promise for developing the foundation of the cell-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiju Chen
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd, NE Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Richard L Carter
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd, NE Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - In K Cho
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd, NE Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anthony W S Chan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd, NE Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael St, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Multimodal imaging of subventricular zone neural stem/progenitor cells in the cuprizone mouse model reveals increased neurogenic potential for the olfactory bulb pathway, but no contribution to remyelination of the corpus callosum. Neuroimage 2014; 86:99-110. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.07.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Boehm-Sturm P, Aswendt M, Minassian A, Michalk S, Mengler L, Adamczak J, Mezzanotte L, Löwik C, Hoehn M. A multi-modality platform to image stem cell graft survival in the naïve and stroke-damaged mouse brain. Biomaterials 2013; 35:2218-26. [PMID: 24355489 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.11.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem cell implantations have been extensively investigated for treatment of brain diseases such as stroke. In order to follow the localization and functional status of cells after implantation noninvasive imaging is essential. Therefore, we developed a comprehensive multi-modality platform for in vivo imaging of graft localization, density, and survival using 19F magnetic resonance imaging in combination with bioluminescence imaging. We quantitatively analyzed cell graft survival over the first 4 weeks after transplantation in both healthy and stroke-damaged mouse brain and correlated our findings of graft vitality with the host innate immune response. The multi-modality imaging platform will help to improve cell therapy also in context other than stroke and to gain indispensable information for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Boehm-Sturm
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Aswendt
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anuka Minassian
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefanie Michalk
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luam Mengler
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Joanna Adamczak
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens Löwik
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Vandsburger MH, Radoul M, Cohen B, Neeman M. MRI reporter genes: applications for imaging of cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2013; 26:872-84. [PMID: 23225197 PMCID: PMC3713407 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Molecular imaging strives to detect molecular events at the level of the whole organism. In some cases, the molecule of interest can be detected either directly or with targeted contrast media. However many genes and proteins and particularly those located in intracellular compartments are not accessible for targeted agents. The transcriptional regulation of these genes can nevertheless be detected, although indirectly, using reporter gene encoding for readily detectable proteins. Such reporter proteins can be expressed in the tissue of interest by genetically introducing the reporter gene in the target cells. Imaging of reporter genes has become a powerful tool in modern biomedical research. Typically, expression of fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins and the reaction product of expressed enzymes and exogenous substrates were examined using in vitro histological methods and in vivo whole body imaging methods. Recent advances in MRI reporter gene methods raised the possibility that MRI could become a powerful tool for concomitant high-resolution anatomical and functional imaging and for imaging of reporter gene activity. An immediate application of MRI reporter gene methods was by monitoring gene expression patterns in gene therapy and in vivo imaging of the survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of pluripotent and multipotent cells used in cell-based regenerative therapies for cancer, myocardial infarction and neural degeneration. In this review, we characterized a variety of MRI reporter gene methods based on their applicability to report cell survival/proliferation, migration and differentiation. In particular, we discussed which methods were best suited for translation to clinical use in regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Radoul
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science
| | - Batya Cohen
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science
| | - Michal Neeman
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science
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Vandsburger MH, Radoul M, Addadi Y, Mpofu S, Cohen B, Eilam R, Neeman M. Ovarian carcinoma: quantitative biexponential MR imaging relaxometry reveals the dynamic recruitment of ferritin-expressing fibroblasts to the angiogenic rim of tumors. Radiology 2013; 268:790-801. [PMID: 23801774 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.13122053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantitatively monitor the dynamic perivascular recruitment of ferritin heavy chain (FHC)-overexpressing fibroblasts to ovarian carcinoma xenografts by using R2 mapping and biexponential magnetic resonance (MR) relaxometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vivo studies of female mice were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. In vitro analysis included MR-based R2 relaxation measurements of monkey kidney cell line (CV1) fibroblasts that overexpress FHC, followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to assess cellular iron content. For in vivo analysis, CV1-FHC fibroblasts were either mixed with fluorescent human ovarian carcinoma cells before subcutaneous implantation (coinjection) or injected intraperitoneally 4 days after the cancer cells were injected (remote recruitment). Dynamic changes in tumor R2 were used to derive CV1-FHC cell fraction in both models. In coinjection tumors, dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging was used to measure tumor fractional blood volume. Whole-body fluorescence imaging and immunohistochemical staining were performed to validate MR results. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to assess MR and fluorescence imaging results and tumor volume, and one-way analysis of variance was used to assess spectrometric results, fractional blood volume, and immunohistochemical evaluation. RESULTS CV1-FHC fibroblasts (vs CV1 fibroblasts) showed enhanced iron uptake (1.8 mmol ± 0.5 × 10(-8) vs 0.9 mmol ± 0.5 × 10(-8); P < .05), retention (1.6 mmol ± 0.5 × 10(-8) vs 0.5 mmol ± 0.5 × 10(-8), P < .05), and cell density-dependent R2 contrast. R2 mapping in vivo revealed preferential recruitment of CV1-FHC cells to the tumor rim in both models. Measurement of fractional blood volume was similar in all tumors (2.6 AU ± 0.5 × 10(-3) for CV1, 2.3 AU ± 0.3 × 10(-3) for CV1-FHC, 2.9 ± 0.3 × 10(-3) for CV1-FHC-ferric citrate). Dynamic changes in CV1-FHC cell fraction determined at MR relaxometry in both models were confirmed at immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSION FHC overexpression, when combined with R2 mapping and MR relaxometry, enabled in vivo detection of the dynamic recruitment of exogenously administered fibroblasts to the vasculature of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriel H Vandsburger
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, 234 Herzl St, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Simonato M, Bennett J, Boulis NM, Castro MG, Fink DJ, Goins WF, Gray SJ, Lowenstein PR, Vandenberghe LH, Wilson TJ, Wolfe JH, Glorioso JC. Progress in gene therapy for neurological disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2013; 9:277-91. [PMID: 23609618 PMCID: PMC3908892 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2013.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diseases of the nervous system have devastating effects and are widely distributed among the population, being especially prevalent in the elderly. These diseases are often caused by inherited genetic mutations that result in abnormal nervous system development, neurodegeneration, or impaired neuronal function. Other causes of neurological diseases include genetic and epigenetic changes induced by environmental insults, injury, disease-related events or inflammatory processes. Standard medical and surgical practice has not proved effective in curing or treating these diseases, and appropriate pharmaceuticals do not exist or are insufficient to slow disease progression. Gene therapy is emerging as a powerful approach with potential to treat and even cure some of the most common diseases of the nervous system. Gene therapy for neurological diseases has been made possible through progress in understanding the underlying disease mechanisms, particularly those involving sensory neurons, and also by improvement of gene vector design, therapeutic gene selection, and methods of delivery. Progress in the field has renewed our optimism for gene therapy as a treatment modality that can be used by neurologists, ophthalmologists and neurosurgeons. In this Review, we describe the promising gene therapy strategies that have the potential to treat patients with neurological diseases and discuss prospects for future development of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Simonato
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy. michele.simonato@ unife.it
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Noninvasive multimodal imaging of stem cell transplants in the brain using bioluminescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 1052:153-66. [PMID: 23733537 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2013_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Transplantation of stem cells represents a promising approach for the therapy of different brain diseases, including stroke, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. Tracking of stem cells with noninvasive imaging technologies provides insight into location, migration, and proliferation of the cells-key features for a possible clinical translation. This chapter describes a multimodal and noninvasive approach employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI), both of which offer the opportunity for repetitive measurements on the same individual, revealing the full temporal profile of cell dynamics. The combination of these modalities allows the simultaneous investigation of different aspects of the graft fate. We will present the detailed protocol for noninvasive multimodal tracking of labeled and transplanted neural stem cells, specifically optimized for brain applications, which allows repetitive assessment of localization as well as identification of cell viability and cell quantity after transplantation.
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Naumova AV, Yarnykh VL, Balu N, Reinecke H, Murry CE, Yuan C. Quantification of MRI signal of transgenic grafts overexpressing ferritin in murine myocardial infarcts. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:1187-95. [PMID: 22362654 PMCID: PMC3389131 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 11/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/15/2012] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The noninvasive detection of transplanted cells in damaged organs and the longitudinal follow-up of cell fate and graft size are important for the evaluation of cell therapy. We have shown previously that the overexpression of the natural iron storage protein, ferritin, permits the detection of engrafted cells in mouse heart by MRI, but further imaging optimization is required. Here, we report a systematic evaluation of ferritin-based stem cell imaging in infarcted mouse hearts in vivo using three cardiac-gated pulse sequences in a 3-T scanner: black-blood proton-density-weighted turbo spin echo (PD TSE BB), bright-blood T(2) -weighted gradient echo (GRE) and black-blood T(2) -weighted GRE with improved motion-sensitized-driven equilibrium (iMSDE) preparation. Transgenic C2C12 myoblast grafts overexpressing ferritin did not change MRI contrast in the PD TSE BB images, but showed a 20% reduction in signal intensity ratio in black-blood T(2) -weighted iMSDE (p < 0.05) and a 30% reduction in bright-blood T(2) -weighted GRE (p < 0.0001). Graft size measurements by T(2) iMSDE and T(2) GRE were highly correlated with histological assessments (r = 0.79 and r = 0.89, respectively). Unlabeled wild-type C2C12 cells transplanted to mouse heart did not change the MRI signal intensity, although endogenous hemosiderin was seen in some infarcts. These data support the use of ferritin to track the survival, growth and migration of stem cells transplanted into the injured heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Naumova
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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47
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Quantification of HSV-1-mediated expression of the ferritin MRI reporter in the mouse brain. Gene Ther 2012; 20:589-96. [PMID: 22996196 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2012.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of effective strategies for gene therapy has been hampered by difficulties verifying transgene delivery in vivo and quantifying gene expression non-invasively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers high spatial resolution and three-dimensional views, without tissue depth limitations. The iron-storage protein ferritin is a prototype MRI gene reporter. Ferritin forms a paramagnetic ferrihydrite core that can be detected by MRI via its effect on the local magnetic field experienced by water protons. In an effort to better characterize the ferritin reporter for central nervous system applications, we expressed ferritin in the mouse brain in vivo using a neurotropic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). We computed three-dimensional maps of MRI transverse relaxation rates in the mouse brain with ascending doses of ferritin-expressing HSV-1. We established that the transverse relaxation rates correlate significantly to the number of inoculated infectious particles. Our results are potentially useful for quantitatively assessing limitations of ferritin reporters for gene therapy applications.
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Vande Velde G, Couillard-Després S, Aigner L, Himmelreich U, van der Linden A. In situ labeling and imaging of endogenous neural stem cell proliferation and migration. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2012; 4:663-79. [PMID: 22933366 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous neural stem cells (eNSCs) reside in defined regions of the adult brain and have the potential to generate new brain cells, including neurons. Stimulation of adult neurogenesis presents an enormous potential for regenerative therapies in the central nervous system. However, the methods used to monitor the proliferation, migration, differentiation, and functional integration of eNSCs and their progeny are often invasive and limited in studying dynamic processes. To overcome this limitation, novel techniques and contrast mechanisms for in vivo imaging of neurogenesis have recently been developed and successfully applied. In vivo labeling of endogenous neuronal progenitor cells in situ with contrast agents or tracers enables longitudinal visualization of their proliferation and/or migration. Labeling of these cells with magnetic nanoparticles has proven to be very useful for tracking neuroblast migration with MRI. Alternatively, genetic labeling using reporter gene technology has been demonstrated for optical and MR imaging, leading to the development of powerful tools for in vivo optical imaging of neurogenesis. More recently, the iron storage protein ferritin has been used as an endogenously produced MRI contrast agent to monitor neuroblast migration. The use of specific promoters for neuronal progenitor cell imaging increases the specificity for visualizing neurogenesis. Further improvements of detection sensitivity and neurogenesis-specific contrast are nevertheless required for each of these imaging techniques to further improve the already high utility of this toolbox for preclinical neurogenesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical MRI Unit/Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
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Vande Velde G, Raman Rangarajan J, Vreys R, Guglielmetti C, Dresselaers T, Verhoye M, Van der Linden A, Debyser Z, Baekelandt V, Maes F, Himmelreich U. Quantitative evaluation of MRI-based tracking of ferritin-labeled endogenous neural stem cell progeny in rodent brain. Neuroimage 2012; 62:367-80. [PMID: 22677164 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Revised: 04/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous neural stem cells have the potential to facilitate therapy for various neurodegenerative brain disorders. To increase our understanding of neural stem and progenitor cell biology in healthy and diseased brain, methods to label and visualize stem cells and their progeny in vivo are indispensable. Iron oxide particle based cell-labeling approaches enable cell tracking by MRI with high resolution and good soft tissue contrast in the brain. However, in addition to important concerns about unspecific labeling and low labeling efficiency, the dilution effect upon cell division is a major drawback for longitudinal follow-up of highly proliferating neural progenitor cells with MRI. Stable viral vector-mediated marking of endogenous stem cells and their progeny with a reporter gene for MRI could overcome these limitations. We stably and efficiently labeled endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells in the subventricular zone in situ by injecting a lentiviral vector expressing ferritin, a reporter for MRI. We developed an image analysis pipeline to quantify MRI signal changes at the level of the olfactory bulb as a result of migration of ferritin-labeled neuroblasts along the rostral migratory stream. We were able to detect ferritin-labeled endogenous neural stem cell progeny into the olfactory bulb of individual animals with ex vivo MRI at 30 weeks post injection, but could not demonstrate reliable in vivo detection and longitudinal tracking of neuroblast migration to the OB in individual animals. Therefore, although LV-mediated labeling of endogenous neural stem and progenitor cells resulted in efficient and stable ferritin-labeling of stem cell progeny in the OB, even with quantitative image analysis, sensitivity remains a limitation for in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greetje Vande Velde
- Biomedical NMR Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
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Abstract
During the past two decades, stem cells have created enthusiasm as a regenerative therapy for ischemic heart disease. Transplantation of bone marrow stem cells, skeletal myoblasts, and endothelial progenitor cells has shown to improve myocardial function after infarction. Recently, attention has focused on the potential use of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells because they possess the capacity to differentiate into various cell types, including cardiac and endothelial cells. Clinical trials have shown positive effects on the functional recovery of heart after myocardial infarction and have answered questions on timing, dosage, and cell delivery route of stem cells such as those derived from bone marrow. Despite the current advances in stem cell research, one main hurdle remains the lack of reliable information about the fate of cell engraftment, survival, and proliferation after transplantation. This review discusses the different cell types used in cardiac cell therapy as well as molecular imaging modalities relevant to survival issues.
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