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Frederiksen HR, Glantz A, Vøls KK, Skov S, Tveden-Nyborg P, Freude K, Doehn U. CRISPR-Cas9 immune-evasive hESCs are rejected following transplantation into immunocompetent mice. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1403395. [PMID: 38863835 PMCID: PMC11165197 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1403395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Although current stem cell therapies exhibit promising potential, the extended process of employing autologous cells and the necessity for donor-host matching to avert the rejection of transplanted cells significantly limit the widespread applicability of these treatments. It would be highly advantageous to generate a pluripotent universal donor stem cell line that is immune-evasive and, therefore, not restricted by the individual's immune system, enabling unlimited application within cell replacement therapies. Before such immune-evasive stem cells can be moved forward to clinical trials, in vivo testing via transplantation experiments in immune-competent animals would be a favorable approach preceding preclinical testing. By using human stem cells in immune competent animals, results will be more translatable to a clinical setting, as no parts of the immune system have been altered, although in a xenogeneic setting. In this way, immune evasiveness, cell survival, and unwanted proliferative effects can be assessed before clinical trials in humans. The current study presents the generation and characterization of three human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) for xenogeneic transplantation in immune-competent mice. The major histocompatibility complexes I- and II-encoding genes, B2M and CIITA, have been deleted from the hESCs using CRISPR-Cas9-targeted gene replacement strategies and knockout. B2M was knocked out by the insertion of murine CD47. Human-secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (hSEAP) was inserted in a safe harbor site to track cells in vivo. The edited hESCs maintained their pluripotency, karyotypic normality, and stable expression of murine CD47 and hSEAP in vitro. In vivo transplantation of hESCs into immune-competent BALB/c mice was successfully monitored by measuring hSEAP in blood samples. Nevertheless, transplantation of immune-evasive hESCs resulted in complete rejection within 11 days, with clear immune infiltration of T-cells on day 8. Our results reveal that knockout of B2M and CIITA together with species-specific expression of CD47 are insufficient to prevent rejection in an immune-competent and xenogeneic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Reventlow Frederiksen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Søren Skov
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Doehn
- Cell Therapy Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
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2
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Dzien P, Raffo Iraolagoitia X, May S, Stevenson D, McGarry L, Soloviev D, Brown G, Nixon C, Kapeni C, De La Roche M, Blyth K, Lyons S, Bird T, Strathdee D, Fruhwirth G, Carlin L, Lewis D. Multi-scale in vivo imaging of tumour development using a germline conditional triple-reporter system. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4196140. [PMID: 38645088 PMCID: PMC11030518 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4196140/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Imaging reporter genes are indispensable for visualising biological processes in living subjects, particularly in cancer research where they have been used to observe tumour development, cancer cell dissemination, and treatment response. Engineering reporter genes into the germline frequently involves single imaging modality reporters operating over limited spatial scales. To address these limitations, we developed an inducible triple-reporter mouse model (Rosa26LSL - NRL) that integrates reporters for complementary imaging modalities, flfluorescence, bioluminescence and positron emission tomography (PET), along with inducible Cre-lox functionality for precise spatiotemporal control of reporter expression. We demonstrated robust reporter inducibility across various tissues in the Rosa26LSL - NRL mouse, facilitating effective tracking and characterisation of tumours in liver and lung cancer mouse models. We precisely pinpointed tumour location using multimodal whole-body imaging which guided in situ lung microscopy to visualise cell-cell interactions within the tumour microenvironment. The triple-reporter system establishes a robust new platform technology for multi-scale investigation of biological processes within whole animals, enabling tissue-specific and sensitive cell tracking, spanning from the whole-body to cellular scales.
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Gilad AA, Bar-Shir A, Bricco AR, Mohanta Z, McMahon MT. Protein and peptide engineering for chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging in the age of synthetic biology. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4712. [PMID: 35150021 PMCID: PMC10642350 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
At the beginning of the millennium, the first chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents were bio-organic molecules. However, later, metal-based CEST agents (paraCEST agents) took center stage. This did not last too long as paraCEST agents showed limited translational potential. By contrast, the CEST field gradually became dominated by metal-free CEST agents. One branch of research stemming from the original work by van Zijl and colleagues is the development of CEST agents based on polypeptides. Indeed, in the last 2 decades, tremendous progress has been achieved in this field. This includes the design of novel peptides as biosensors, genetically encoded recombinant as well as synthetic reporters. This was a result of extensive characterization and elucidation of the theoretical requirements for rational designing and engineering of such agents. Here, we provide an extensive overview of the evolution of more precise protein-based CEST agents, review the rationalization of enzyme-substrate pairs as CEST contrast enhancers, discuss the theoretical considerations to improve peptide selectivity, specificity and enhance CEST contrast. Moreover, we discuss the strong influence of synthetic biology on the development of the next generation of protein-based CEST contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf A. Gilad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Amnon Bar-Shir
- Department of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alexander R. Bricco
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Zinia Mohanta
- Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael T. McMahon
- Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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4
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Nannan L, Gsell W, Belderbos S, Gallet C, Wouters J, Brassart-Pasco S, Himmelreich U, Brassart B. A multimodal imaging study to highlight elastin-derived peptide pro-tumoral effect in a pancreatic xenograft model. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:2000-2012. [PMID: 37002342 PMCID: PMC10206107 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02242-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly malignant with a very poor prognosis due to its silent development and metastatic profile with a 5-year survival rate below 10%. PDAC is characterised by an abundant desmoplastic stroma modulation that influences cancer development by extracellular matrix/cell interactions. Elastin is a key element of the extracellular matrix. Elastin degradation products (EDPs) regulate numerous biological processes such as cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The aim of the present study was to characterise for the first time the effect of two EDPs with consensus sequences "GxxPG" and "GxPGxGxG" (VG-6 and AG-9) on PDAC development. The ribosomal protein SA (RPSA) has been discovered recently, acting as a new receptor of EDPs on the surface of tumour cells, contributing to poor prognosis. METHODS Six week-old female Swiss nude nu/nu (Nu(Ico)-Foxn1nu) mice were subcutaneously injected with human PDAC MIA PaCa-2/eGFP-FLuc+ cells, transduced with a purpose-made lentiviral vector, encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Photinus pyralis (firefly) luciferase (FLuc). Animals were treated three times per week with AG-9 (n = 4), VG-6 (n = 5) or PBS (n = 5). The influence of EDP on PDAC was examined by multimodal imaging (bioluminescence imaging (BLI), fluorescence imaging (FLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Tumour volumes were also measured using a caliper. Finally, immunohistology was performed at the end of the in vivo study. RESULTS After in vitro validation of MIA PaCa-2 cells by optical imaging, we demonstrated that EDPs exacerbate tumour growth in the PDAC mouse model. While VG-6 stimulated tumour growth to some extent, AG-9 had greater impact on tumour growth. We showed that the expression of the RPSA correlates with a possible effect of EDPs in the PDAC model. Multimodal imaging allowed for longitudinal in vivo follow-up of tumour development. In all groups, we showed mature vessels ending in close vicinity of the tumour, except for the AG-9 group where mature vessels are penetrating the tumour reflecting an increase of vascularisation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that AG-9 strongly increases PDAC progression through an increase in tumour vascularisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Nannan
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France
| | - Willy Gsell
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah Belderbos
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Célia Gallet
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France
| | - Jens Wouters
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Brassart-Pasco
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France
| | - Uwe Himmelreich
- KU Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology/Biomedical MRI, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bertrand Brassart
- CNRS UMR 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire, Reims, France.
- Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Laboratoire de Biochimie Médicale et Biologie Moléculaire, Reims, France.
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Ozdemir E, Abdelhamed H, Ozdemir O, Lawrence M, Karsi A. Development of Bioluminescent Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila for Understanding Pathogenicity. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12050670. [PMID: 37242340 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050670] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh) strains that cause motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) in farmed channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) have been an important problem for more than a decade. However, the routes of infection of vAh in catfish are not well understood. Therefore, it is critical to study the pathogenicity of vAh in catfish. To this goal, a new bioluminescence expression plasmid (pAKgfplux3) with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat) gene was constructed and mobilized into vAh strain ML09-119, yielding bioluminescent vAh (BvAh). After determining optimal chloramphenicol concentration, plasmid stability, bacteria number-bioluminescence relationship, and growth kinetics, the catfish were challenged with BvAh, and bioluminescent imaging (BLI) was conducted. Results showed that 5 to 10 µg/mL chloramphenicol was suitable for stable bioluminescence expression in vAh, with some growth reduction. In the absence of chloramphenicol, vAh could not maintain pAKgfplux3 stably, with the half-life being 16 h. Intraperitoneal injection, immersion, and modified immersion (adipose fin clipping) challenges of catfish with BvAh and BLI showed that MAS progressed faster in the injection group, followed by the modified immersion and immersion groups. BvAh was detected around the anterior mouth, barbels, fin bases, fin epithelia, injured skin areas, and gills after experimental challenges. BLI revealed that skin breaks and gills are potential attachment and entry portals for vAh. Once vAh breaches the skin or epithelial surfaces, it can cause a systemic infection rapidly, spreading to all internal organs. To our best knowledge, this is the first study that reports the development of a bioluminescent vAh and provides visual evidence for catfish-vAh interactions. Findings are expected to provide a better understanding of vAh pathogenicity in catfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eda Ozdemir
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Hossam Abdelhamed
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Ozan Ozdemir
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Mark Lawrence
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Attila Karsi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
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6
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Williams SJ, Gewing-Mullins JA, Lieberman WK, Kolbaba-Kartchner B, Iqbal R, Burgess HM, Colee CM, Ornelas MY, Reid-McLaughlin ES, Mills JH, Prescher JA, Leconte AM. Biochemical Analysis Leads to Improved Orthogonal Bioluminescent Tools. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200726. [PMID: 36592373 PMCID: PMC10265744 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Engineered luciferase-luciferin pairs have expanded the number of cellular targets that can be visualized in tandem. While light production relies on selective processing of synthetic luciferins by mutant luciferases, little is known about the origin of selectivity. The development of new and improved pairs requires a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of bioluminescent probes. In this work, we report a biochemical approach to assessing and optimizing two popular bioluminescent pairs: Cashew/d-luc and Pecan/4'-BrLuc. Single mutants derived from Cashew and Pecan revealed key residues for selectivity and thermal stability. Stability was further improved through a rational addition of beneficial residues. In addition to providing increased stability, the known stabilizing mutations surprisingly also improved selectivity. The resultant improved pair of luciferases are >100-fold selective for their respective substrates and highly thermally stable. Collectively, this work highlights the importance of mechanistic insight for improving bioluminescent pairs and provides significantly improved Cashew and Pecan enzymes which should be immediately suitable for multicomponent imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra J Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jordan A Gewing-Mullins
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Whitney K Lieberman
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Bethany Kolbaba-Kartchner
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Physical Sciences Center PSd-D102, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Reema Iqbal
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Hana M Burgess
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Clair M Colee
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Marya Y Ornelas
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Edison S Reid-McLaughlin
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Jeremy H Mills
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Physical Sciences Center PSd-D102, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- The Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, 1001 S McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Jennifer A Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Science II, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 101 Theory, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Aaron M Leconte
- W.M. Keck Science Department of Claremont McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, The Claremont Colleges, 925 N. Mills Ave., Claremont, CA 91711, USA
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Yang H, Qian Z, Liu C, Tie C, Cai A, Wang J, Xing Y, Xia J, Li X. A versatile genetic-encoded reporter for magnetic resonance imaging. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14054. [PMID: 36915487 PMCID: PMC10006841 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been a long-cherished wish in biomedicine research to have an imaging tool to visualize gene expression, with good spatiotemporal resolution, in rodent and primate animals noninvasively and longitudinally. To this purpose, we here present a novel genetic encoded magnetic resonance imaging reporter, i.e., GEM reporter, for noninvasive visualization of cell-specific gene expression. The GEM reporter was developed through codon modification of a bacteria-originated manganese (Mn) binding protein, allowing the sequestration of endogenous Mn in local tissues. When expressed in bacteria, plant and animals, GEM reporter can robustly produce high image contrast in T1-weighted MRI without additional substrates or contrast agents. Importantly, GEM reporter can be tracked inherently by MRI in specific cells and tissues. These findings support GEM reporter as a versatile marker for deciphering gene expression spatiotemporally in living subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhengjiang Qian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chunhua Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Changjun Tie
- Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aoling Cai
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, 430071, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yao Xing
- Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd., China
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, 3002 SunGang Road West, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Vectors for Biomedicine, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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Malik A, Zavadil JA, Geusz ME. Using bioluminescence to image gene expression and spontaneous behavior in freely moving mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279875. [PMID: 36662734 PMCID: PMC9858005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of gene expression in live animals is a powerful method for monitoring development, tumor growth, infections, healing, and other progressive, long-term biological processes. BLI remains an effective approach for reducing the number of animals needed to monitor dynamic changes in gene activity because images can be captured repeatedly from the same animals. When examining these ongoing changes, it is sometimes necessary to remove rhythmic effects on the bioluminescence signal caused by the circadian clock's daily modulation of gene expression. Furthermore, BLI using freely moving animals remains limited because the standard procedures can alter normal behaviors. Another obstacle with conventional BLI of animals is that luciferin, the firefly luciferase substrate, is usually injected into mice that are then imaged while anesthetized. Unfortunately, the luciferase signal declines rapidly during imaging as luciferin is cleared from the body. Alternatively, mice are imaged after they are surgically implanted with a pump or connected to a tether to deliver luciferin, but stressors such as this surgery and anesthesia can alter physiology, behavior, and the actual gene expression being imaged. Consequently, we developed a strategy that minimizes animal exposure to stressors before and during sustained BLI of freely moving unanesthetized mice. This technique was effective when monitoring expression of the Per1 gene that serves in the circadian clock timing mechanism and was previously shown to produce circadian bioluminescence rhythms in live mice. We used hairless albino mice expressing luciferase that were allowed to drink luciferin and engage in normal behaviors during imaging with cooled electron-multiplying-CCD cameras. Computer-aided image selection was developed to measure signal intensity of individual mice each time they were in the same posture, thereby providing comparable measurements over long intervals. This imaging procedure, performed primarily during the animal's night, is compatible with entrainment of the mouse circadian timing system to the light cycle while allowing sampling at multi-day intervals to monitor long-term changes. When the circadian expression of a gene is known, this approach provides an effective alternative to imaging immobile anesthetized animals and can removing noise caused by circadian oscillations and body movements that can degrade data collected during long-term imaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astha Malik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jessica A. Zavadil
- Graduate Medical Education, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Michael E. Geusz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, United States of America
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Li S, Wang K, Wang Z, Zhang W, Liu Z, Cheng Y, Zhu J, Zhong M, Hu S, Zhang Y. Application and trend of bioluminescence imaging in metabolic syndrome research. Front Chem 2023; 10:1113546. [PMID: 36700071 PMCID: PMC9868317 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1113546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging is a non-invasive technology used to visualize physiological processes in animals and is useful for studying the dynamics of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a broad spectrum of diseases which are rapidly increasing in prevalence, and is closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and circadian rhythm disorder. To better serve metabolic syndrome research, researchers have established a variety of animal models expressing luciferase, while also committing to finding more suitable luciferase promoters and developing more efficient luciferase-luciferin systems. In this review, we systematically summarize the applications of different models for bioluminescence imaging in the study of metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirui Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China,Postgraduate Department, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China,Postgraduate Department, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zenglin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yugang Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiankang Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Mingwei Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Sanyuan Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Sanyuan Hu, ; Yun Zhang,
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China,Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Sanyuan Hu, ; Yun Zhang,
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10
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Effect of excited state inter- or intra-proton transfers on the fluorescence behaviors of firefly fluorescein analogues. Chem Phys Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2022.139551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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11
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Epigenetic MRI: Noninvasive imaging of DNA methylation in the brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2119891119. [PMID: 35235458 PMCID: PMC8915962 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2119891119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic epigenetic activity is a fundamental mechanism underpinning how the brain changes its function during development and aging and in response to environmental and disease stimuli. We developed a technology called epigenetic MRI (eMRI) that enables noninvasive imaging of DNA methylation in the brain, a major epigenetic mechanism. eMRI reveals strong regional differences in global DNA methylation in pig brains, a model with stronger resemblance to human brains than are rodents. Given the noninvasive nature of eMRI, our results pave the way for a DNA-methylation imaging paradigm for living human brains. We expect eMRI to enable many studies to unravel the molecular control of brain function and disease. Both neuronal and genetic mechanisms regulate brain function. While there are excellent methods to study neuronal activity in vivo, there are no nondestructive methods to measure global gene expression in living brains. Here, we present a method, epigenetic MRI (eMRI), that overcomes this limitation via direct imaging of DNA methylation, a major gene-expression regulator. eMRI exploits the methionine metabolic pathways for DNA methylation to label genomic DNA through 13C-enriched diets. A 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging method then maps the spatial distribution of labeled DNA. We validated eMRI using pigs, whose brains have stronger similarity to humans in volume and anatomy than rodents, and confirmed efficient 13C-labeling of brain DNA. We also discovered strong regional differences in global DNA methylation. Just as functional MRI measurements of regional neuronal activity have had a transformational effect on neuroscience, we expect that the eMRI signal, both as a measure of regional epigenetic activity and as a possible surrogate for regional gene expression, will enable many new investigations of human brain function, behavior, and disease.
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12
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Benlian BR, Klier PEZ, Martinez KN, Schwinn MK, Kirkland TA, Miller EW. Small Molecule-Protein Hybrid for Voltage Imaging via Quenching of Bioluminescence. ACS Sens 2021; 6:1857-1863. [PMID: 33723996 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We report a small-molecule enzyme pair for optical voltage sensing via quenching of bioluminescence. This quenching bioluminescent voltage indicator, or Q-BOLT, pairs the dark absorbing, voltage-sensitive dipicrylamine with membrane-localized bioluminescence from the luciferase NanoLuc (NLuc). As a result, bioluminescence is quenched through resonance energy transfer (QRET) as a function of membrane potential. Fusion of HaloTag to NLuc creates a two-acceptor bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) system when a tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) HaloTag ligand is ligated to HaloTag. In this mode, Q-BOLT is capable of providing direct visualization of changes in membrane potential in live cells via three distinct readouts: change in QRET, BRET, and the ratio between bioluminescence emission and BRET. Q-BOLT can provide up to a 29% change in bioluminescence (ΔBL/BL) and >100% ΔBRET/BRET per 100 mV change in HEK 293T cells, without the need for excitation light. In cardiac monolayers derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), Q-BOLT readily reports on membrane potential oscillations. Q-BOLT is the first example of a hybrid small molecule-protein voltage indicator that does not require excitation light and may be useful in contexts where excitation light is limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Thomas A. Kirkland
- Promega Biosciences LLC, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States
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13
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Kaemmer CA, Umesalma S, Maharjan CK, Moose DL, Narla G, Mott SL, Zamba GKD, Breheny P, Darbro BW, Bellizzi AM, Henry MD, Quelle DE. Development and comparison of novel bioluminescent mouse models of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm metastasis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10252. [PMID: 33986468 PMCID: PMC8119958 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89866-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are slow growing cancers of increasing incidence that lack effective treatments once they become metastatic. Unfortunately, nearly half of pNEN patients present with metastatic liver tumors at diagnosis and current therapies fail to improve overall survival. Pre-clinical models of pNEN metastasis are needed to advance our understanding of the mechanisms driving the metastatic process and for the development of novel, targeted therapeutic interventions. To model metastatic dissemination of tumor cells, human pNEN cell lines (BON1 and Qgp1) stably expressing firefly luciferase (luc) were generated and introduced into NSG immunodeficient mice by intracardiac (IC) or intravenous (IV) injection. The efficiency, kinetics and distribution of tumor growth was evaluated weekly by non-invasive bioluminescent imaging (BLI). Tumors formed in all animals in both the IC and IV models. Bioluminescent Qgp1.luc cells preferentially metastasized to the liver regardless of delivery route, mimicking the predominant site of pNEN metastasis in patients. By comparison, BON1.luc cells most commonly formed lung tumors following either IV or IC administration and colonized a wider variety of tissues than Qgp1.luc cells. These models provide a unique platform for testing candidate metastasis genes and anti-metastatic therapies for pNENs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Kaemmer
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-570 Bowen Science Building, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Shaikamjad Umesalma
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-570 Bowen Science Building, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Chandra K Maharjan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-570 Bowen Science Building, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Devon L Moose
- Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Goutham Narla
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah L Mott
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gideon K D Zamba
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Patrick Breheny
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Benjamin W Darbro
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Andrew M Bellizzi
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Michael D Henry
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Dawn E Quelle
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa, 2-570 Bowen Science Building, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. .,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. .,Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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14
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Yevtodiyenko A, Bazhin A, Khodakivskyi P, Godinat A, Budin G, Maric T, Pietramaggiori G, Scherer SS, Kunchulia M, Eppeldauer G, Polyakov SV, Francis KP, Bryan JN, Goun EA. Portable bioluminescent platform for in vivo monitoring of biological processes in non-transgenic animals. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2680. [PMID: 33976191 PMCID: PMC8113525 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22892-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) is one of the most powerful and widely used preclinical imaging modalities. However, the current technology relies on the use of transgenic luciferase-expressing cells and animals and therefore can only be applied to a limited number of existing animal models of human disease. Here, we report the development of a “portable bioluminescent” (PBL) technology that overcomes most of the major limitations of traditional BLI. We demonstrate that the PBL method is capable of noninvasive measuring the activity of both extracellular (e.g., dipeptidyl peptidase 4) and intracellular (e.g., cytochrome P450) enzymes in vivo in non-luciferase-expressing mice. Moreover, we successfully utilize PBL technology in dogs and human cadaver, paving the way for the translation of functional BLI to the noninvasive quantification of biological processes in large animals. The PBL methodology can be easily adapted for the noninvasive monitoring of a plethora of diseases across multiple species. Bioluminescence imaging tends to rely on transgenic luciferase-expressing cells and animals. Here the authors report a portable bioluminescent system to non-invasively measure intra- and extracellular enzymes in vivo in non-transgenic animals which do not express luciferase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey Yevtodiyenko
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Arkadiy Bazhin
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pavlo Khodakivskyi
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Aurelien Godinat
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ghyslain Budin
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Maric
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giorgio Pietramaggiori
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Plastic Surgery, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sandra S Scherer
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Plastic Surgery, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marina Kunchulia
- Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences, Free University of Tbilisi, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - George Eppeldauer
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Sergey V Polyakov
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, USA.,Physics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kevin P Francis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Bryan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elena A Goun
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA.
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15
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Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging with luciferase-luciferin pairs is routinely used to monitor cellular functions. Multiple targets can be visualized in tandem using luciferases that process unique substrates, but only a handful of such orthogonal probes are known. Multiplexed studies require additional robust, light-emitting molecules. In this work, we report new luciferins for orthogonal imaging that comprise disubstituted cores. These probes were found to be bright emitters with various engineered luciferases. The unique patterns of light output also provided insight into enzyme-substrate interactions necessary for productive emission. Screening studies identified mutant luciferases that could preferentially process the disubstituted analogues, enabling orthogonal imaging with existing bioluminescent reporters. Further mutational analyses revealed the origins of substrate selectivity. Collectively, this work provides insights into luciferase-luciferin features relevant to bioluminescence and expands the number of probes for multicomponent tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra J. Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine; Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Clare S. Hwang
- Department of Public Health, University of California, Irvine; Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine; Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine; Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine; Irvine, California 92697, United States
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16
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Functional Imaging Using Bioluminescent Reporter Genes in Living Subjects. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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17
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Syed AJ, Anderson JC. Applications of bioluminescence in biotechnology and beyond. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:5668-5705. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01492c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescent probes have hugely benefited from the input of synthetic chemistry and protein engineering. Here we review the latest applications of these probes in biotechnology and beyond, with an eye on current limitations and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha J. Syed
- Department of Chemistry
- University College London
- London
- UK
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18
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Abstract
Intense chemotherapy regimens of patients diagnosed with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) have proved successful for improving patient's overall survival, especially in children. But still T-ALL treatment remains challenging, since side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs often worsen patient's quality of life, and relapse rates remain significant. Hence, the availability of experimental animal models capable of recapitulating the biology of human T-ALL is obligatory as a critical tool to explore novel promising therapies directed against specific targets that have been previously validated in in vitro assays. For this purpose, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) of primary human T-ALL are currently of great interest as preclinical models for novel therapeutic strategies toward transition into clinical trials. In this chapter, we describe the lab workflow to perform PDX assays, from the initial processing of patient T-ALL samples, genetic in vitro modifications of leukemic cells by lentiviral transduction, inoculation routes, monitoring for disease development, and mouse organ examination, to administration of several treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Fuentes
- Interactions with the Environment Program, Immune System Development and Function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - María L Toribio
- Interactions with the Environment Program, Immune System Development and Function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Sara González-García
- Interactions with the Environment Program, Immune System Development and Function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain.
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19
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Madsen SD, Giler MK, Bunnell BA, O'Connor KC. Illuminating the Regenerative Properties of Stem Cells In Vivo with Bioluminescence Imaging. Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000248. [PMID: 33089922 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical animal studies are essential to the development of safe and effective stem cell therapies. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a powerful tool in animal studies that enables the real-time longitudinal monitoring of stem cells in vivo to elucidate their regenerative properties. This review describes the application of BLI in preclinical stem cell research to address critical challenges in producing successful stem cell therapeutics. These challenges include stem cell survival, proliferation, homing, stress response, and differentiation. The applications presented here utilize bioluminescence to investigate a variety of stem and progenitor cells in several different in vivo models of disease and implantation. An overview of luciferase reporters is provided, along with the advantages and disadvantages of BLI. Additionally, BLI is compared to other preclinical imaging modalities and potential future applications of this technology are discussed in emerging areas of stem cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean D Madsen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Margaret K Giler
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Bruce A Bunnell
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kim C O'Connor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
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20
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Zambito G, Gaspar N, Ridwan Y, Hall MP, Shi C, Kirkland TA, Encell LP, Löwik C, Mezzanotte L. Evaluating Brightness and Spectral Properties of Click Beetle and Firefly Luciferases Using Luciferin Analogues: Identification of Preferred Pairings of Luciferase and Substrate for In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 22:1523-1531. [PMID: 32926287 PMCID: PMC7666294 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-020-01523-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Currently, a variety of red and green beetle luciferase variants are available for bioluminescence imaging (BLI). In addition, new luciferin analogues providing longer wavelength luminescence have been developed that show promise for improved deep tissue imaging. However, a detailed assessment of these analogues (e.g., Akalumine-HCl, CycLuc1, and amino naphthyl luciferin (NH2-NpLH2)) combined with state of the art luciferases has not been performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the in vivo brightness and spectral characteristics of firefly (Luc2), click beetle green (CBG99), click beetle red 2 (CBR2), and Akaluc luciferases when paired with different d-luciferin (d-LH2) analogues in vivo. Procedures Transduced human embryonic kidney (HEK 293T) cells expressing individual luciferases were analyzed both in vitro and in mice (via subcutaneous injection). Following introduction of the luciferins to cells or animals, the resulting bioluminescence signal and photon emission spectrum were acquired using a sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD) camera equipped with a series of band pass filters and spectral unmixing software. Results Our in vivo analysis resulted in four primary findings: (1) the best substrate for Luc2, CBG99, and CBR2 in terms of signal strength was d-luciferin; (2) the spectra for Luc2 and CBR2 were shifted to a longer wavelength when Akalumine-HCl was the substrate; (3) CBR2 gave the brightest signal with the near-infrared substrate, NH2-NpLH2; and (4) Akaluc was brighter when paired with either CycLuc1 or Akalumine-HCl when paired with d-LH2. Conclusion We believe that the experimental results described here should provide valuable guidance to end users for choosing the correct luciferin/luciferase pairs for a variety of BLI applications. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11307-020-01523-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Zambito
- Erasmus Medical Center, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Medical Center, Molecular Genetics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Medres medical research GmBH, Cologne, Germany
| | - Natasa Gaspar
- Erasmus Medical Center, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Medical Center, Molecular Genetics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Percuros B.V, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Yanto Ridwan
- Erasmus Medical Center, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Medical Center, Molecular Genetics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ce Shi
- Promega Biosciences Incorporated, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Clemens Löwik
- Erasmus Medical Center, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Medical Center, Molecular Genetics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- CHUV Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Erasmus Medical Center, Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Erasmus Medical Center, Molecular Genetics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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21
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Mowday AM, Copp JN, Syddall SP, Dubois LJ, Wang J, Lieuwes NG, Biemans R, Ashoorzadeh A, Abbattista MR, Williams EM, Guise CP, Lambin P, Ackerley DF, Smaill JB, Theys J, Patterson AV. E. coli nitroreductase NfsA is a reporter gene for non-invasive PET imaging in cancer gene therapy applications. Theranostics 2020; 10:10548-10562. [PMID: 32929365 PMCID: PMC7482819 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of reporter genes to non-invasively image molecular processes inside cells has significant translational potential, particularly in the context of systemically administered gene therapy vectors and adoptively administered cells such as immune or stem cell based therapies. Bacterial nitroreductase enzymes possess ideal properties for reporter gene imaging applications, being of non-human origin and possessing the ability to metabolize a range of clinically relevant nitro(hetero)cyclic substrates. Methods: A library of eleven Escherichia coli nitroreductase candidates were screened for the ability to efficiently metabolize 2-nitroimidazole based positron emission tomography (PET) probes originally developed as radiotracers for hypoxic cell imaging. Several complementary methods were utilized to detect formation of cell-entrapped metabolites, including various in vitro and in vivo models to establish the capacity of the 2-nitroimidazole PET agent EF5 to quantify expression of a nitroreductase candidate. Proof-of-principle PET imaging studies were successfully conducted using 18F-HX4. Results: Recombinant enzyme kinetics, bacterial SOS reporter assays, anti-proliferative assays and flow cytometry approaches collectively identified the major oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase NfsA from E. coli (NfsA_Ec) as the most promising nitroreductase reporter gene. Cells expressing NfsA_Ec were demonstrably labelled with the imaging agent EF5 in a manner that was quantitatively superior to hypoxia, in monolayers (2D), multicellular layers (3D), and in human tumor xenograft models. EF5 retention correlated with NfsA_Ec positive cell density over a range of EF5 concentrations in 3D in vitro models and in xenografts in vivo and was predictive of in vivo anti-tumor activity of the cytotoxic prodrug PR-104. Following PET imaging with 18F-HX4, a significantly higher tumor-to-blood ratio was observed in two xenograft models for NfsA_Ec expressing tumors compared to the parental tumors thereof, providing verification of this reporter gene imaging approach. Conclusion: This study establishes that the bacterial nitroreductase NfsA_Ec can be utilized as an imaging capable reporter gene, with the ability to metabolize and trap 2-nitroimidazole PET imaging agents for non-invasive imaging of gene expression.
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22
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Yao Z, Zhang BS, Steinhardt RC, Mills JH, Prescher JA. Multicomponent Bioluminescence Imaging with a π-Extended Luciferin. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:14080-14089. [PMID: 32787261 PMCID: PMC7867379 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c01064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging with luciferase-luciferin pairs is commonly used for monitoring biological processes in cells and whole organisms. Traditional bioluminescent probes are limited in scope, though, as they cannot be easily distinguished in biological environments, precluding efforts to visualize multicellular processes. Additionally, many luciferase-luciferin pairs emit light that is poorly tissue penetrant, hindering efforts to visualize targets in deep tissues. To address these issues, we synthesized a set of π-extended luciferins that were predicted to be red-shifted luminophores. The scaffolds were designed to be rotationally labile such that they produced light only when paired with luciferases capable of enforcing planarity. A luciferin comprising an intramolecular "lock" was identified as a viable light-emitting probe. Native luciferases were unable to efficiently process the analog, but a complementary luciferase was identified via Rosetta-guided enzyme design. The unique enzyme-substrate pair is red-shifted compared to well-known bioluminescent tools. The probe set is also orthogonal to other luciferase-luciferin probes and can be used for multicomponent imaging. Four substrate-resolved luciferases were imaged in a single session. Collectively, this work provides the first example of Rosetta-guided design in engineering bioluminescent tools and expands the scope of orthogonal imaging probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Brendan S. Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Rachel C. Steinhardt
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Jeremy H. Mills
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, USA
- The Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, USA
- The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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23
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Su Y, Walker JR, Park Y, Smith TP, Liu LX, Hall MP, Labanieh L, Hurst R, Wang DC, Encell LP, Kim N, Zhang F, Kay MA, Casey KM, Majzner RG, Cochran JR, Mackall CL, Kirkland TA, Lin MZ. Novel NanoLuc substrates enable bright two-population bioluminescence imaging in animals. Nat Methods 2020; 17:852-860. [PMID: 32661427 PMCID: PMC10907227 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0889-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sensitive detection of two biological events in vivo has long been a goal in bioluminescence imaging. Antares, a fusion of the luciferase NanoLuc to the orange fluorescent protein CyOFP, has emerged as a bright bioluminescent reporter with orthogonal substrate specificity to firefly luciferase (FLuc) and its derivatives such as AkaLuc. However, the brightness of Antares in mice is limited by the poor solubility and bioavailability of the NanoLuc substrate furimazine. Here, we report a new substrate, hydrofurimazine, whose enhanced aqueous solubility allows delivery of higher doses to mice. In the liver, Antares with hydrofurimazine exhibited similar brightness to AkaLuc with its substrate AkaLumine. Further chemical exploration generated a second substrate, fluorofurimazine, with even higher brightness in vivo. We used Antares with fluorofurimazine to track tumor size and AkaLuc with AkaLumine to visualize CAR-T cells within the same mice, demonstrating the ability to perform two-population imaging with these two luciferase systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Su
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Yunhee Park
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Lan Xiang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Louai Labanieh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - David C Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Namdoo Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Kongju National University, Gongju, South Korea
| | - Feijie Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kerriann M Casey
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Crystal L Mackall
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael Z Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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24
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Serganova I, Blasberg RG. Molecular Imaging with Reporter Genes: Has Its Promise Been Delivered? J Nucl Med 2020; 60:1665-1681. [PMID: 31792128 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The first reporter systems were developed in the early 1980s and were based on measuring the activity of an enzyme-as a surrogate measure of promoter-driven transcriptional activity-which is now known as a reporter gene system. The initial objective and application of reporter techniques was to analyze the activity of a specific promoter (namely, the expression of a gene that is under the regulation of the specific promoter that is linked to the reporter gene). This system allows visualization of specific promoter activity with great sensitivity. In general, there are 2 classes of reporter systems: constitutively expressed (always-on) reporter constructs used for cell tracking, and inducible reporter systems sensitive to endogenous signaling molecules and transcription factors that characterize specific tissues, tumors, or signaling pathways.This review traces the development of different reporter systems, using fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins as well as radionuclide-based reporter systems. The development and application of radionuclide-based reporter systems is the focus of this review. The question at the end of the review is whether the "promise" of reporter gene imaging has been realized. What is required for moving forward with radionuclide-based reporter systems, and what is required for successful translation to clinical applications?
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Serganova
- Department of Neurology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Ronald G Blasberg
- Department of Neurology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York .,Department of Radiology, Memorial Hospital, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; and.,Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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25
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Abstract
Regenerative medicine with the use of stem cells has appeared as a potential therapeutic alternative for many disease states. Despite initial enthusiasm, there has been relatively slow transition to clinical trials. In large part, numerous questions remain regarding the viability, biology and efficacy of transplanted stem cells in the living subject. The critical issues highlighted the importance of developing tools to assess these questions. Advances in molecular biology and imaging have allowed the successful non-invasive monitoring of transplanted stem cells in the living subject. Over the years these methodologies have been updated to assess not only the viability but also the biology of transplanted stem cells. In this review, different imaging strategies to study the viability and biology of transplanted stem cells are presented. Use of these strategies will be critical as the different regenerative therapies are being tested for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakhar Abbas
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Joseph C. Wu
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sanjiv Sam Gambhir
- Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bio-Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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26
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Williams SJ, Prescher JA. Building Biological Flashlights: Orthogonal Luciferases and Luciferins for in Vivo Imaging. Acc Chem Res 2019; 52:3039-3050. [PMID: 31593431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence is widely used for real-time imaging in living organisms. This technology features a light-emitting reaction between enzymes (luciferases) and small molecule substrates (luciferins). Photons produced from luciferase-luciferin reactions can penetrate through heterogeneous tissue, enabling readouts of physiological processes. Dozens of bioluminescent probes are now available and many are routinely used to monitor cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression patterns in vivo. Despite the ubiquity of bioluminescence, traditional applications have been largely limited to imaging one biological feature at a time. Only a handful of luciferase-luciferin pairs can be easily used in tandem, and most are poorly resolved in living animals. Efforts to develop spectrally distinct reporters have been successful, but multispectral imaging in large organisms remains a formidable challenge due to interference from surrounding tissue. Consequently, a lack of well-resolved probes has precluded multicomponent tracking. An expanded collection of bioluminescent probes would provide insight into processes where multiple cell types drive physiological tasks, including immune function and organ development. We aimed to expand the bioluminescent toolkit by developing substrate-resolved imaging agents. The goal was to generate multiple orthogonal (i.e., noncross-reactive) luciferases that are responsive to unique scaffolds and could be used concurrently in living animals. We adopted a parallel engineering approach to genetically modify luciferases to accept chemically modified luciferins. When the mutants and analogs are combined, light is produced only when complementary enzyme-substrate partners interact. Thus, the pairs can be distinguished based on substrate selectivity, regardless of the color of light emitted. Sequential administration of the luciferins enables the unique luciferases to be illuminated (and thus resolved) within complex environments, including whole organisms. This Account describes our efforts to develop orthogonal bioluminescent probes, crafting custom luciferases (or "biological flashlights") that can selectively process luciferin analogs (or "batteries") to produce light. In the first section, we describe synthetic methods that were key to accessing diverse luciferin architectures. The second section focuses on identifying complementary luciferase enzymes via a combination of mutagenesis and screening. To expedite the search for orthogonal enzymes and substrates, we developed a computational algorithm to sift through large data sets. The third section features examples of the parallel engineering approach. We identified orthogonal enzyme-substrate pairs comprising two different classes of luciferins. The probes were vetted both in cells and whole organisms. This expanded collection of imaging agents is applicable to studies of immune function and other multicomponent processes. The final section of the Account highlights ongoing work toward building better bioluminescent tools. As ever-brighter and more selective probes are developed, the frontiers of what we can "see" in vivo will continue to expand.
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27
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Niu J, Shen L, Huang B, Ye F, Zhao L, Wang H, Deng Y, Tan W. Non-invasive bioluminescence imaging of HCoV-OC43 infection and therapy in the central nervous system of live mice. Antiviral Res 2019; 173:104646. [PMID: 31705922 PMCID: PMC7114176 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.104646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are important pathogens that cause upper respiratory tract infections and have neuroinvasive abilities; however, little is known about the dynamic infection process of CoVs in vivo, and there are currently no specific antiviral drugs to prevent or treat HCoV infection. Here, we verified the replication ability and pathogenicity of a reporter HCoV-OC43 strain expressing Renilla luciferase (Rluc; rOC43-ns2DelRluc) in mice with different genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6 and BALB/c). Additionally, we monitored the spatial and temporal progression of HCoV-OC43 through the central nervous system (CNS) of live BALB/c mice after intranasal or intracerebral inoculation with rOC43-ns2DelRluc. We found that rOC43-ns2DelRluc was fatal to suckling mice after intranasal inoculation, and that viral titers and Rluc expression were detected in the brains and spinal cords of mice infected with rOC43-ns2DelRluc. Moreover, viral replication was initially observed in the brain by non-invasive bioluminescence imaging before the infection spread to the spinal cord of BALB/c mice, consistent with its tropism in the CNS. Furthermore, the Rluc readout correlated with the HCoV replication ability and protein expression, which allowed quantification of antiviral activity in live mice. Additionally, we validated that chloroquine strongly inhibited rOC43-ns2DelRluc replication in vivo. These results provide new insights into the temporal and spatial dissemination of HCoV-OC43 in the CNS, and our methods provide an extremely sensitive platform for evaluating the efficacy of antiviral therapies to treat neuroinvasive HCoVs in live mice. We verified the pathogenicity of a reporter HCoV-OC43 strain expressing Renilla luciferase (rOC43-ns2DelRluc) in mice. HCoV-OC43 spatio-temporal progression in CNS of mice was monitored by non-invasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Chloroquine was validated strongly inhibited rOC43-ns2DelRluc replication in in live mice. rOC43-ns2DelRluc-based BLI was reported as a promising platform for non-invasively screening antiviral compounds in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Niu
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Liang Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Hubei Province, Xiangyang, 441021, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, 441053, China
| | - Baoying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yao Deng
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Wenjie Tan
- Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Health Commissions, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, 102206, China; Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
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28
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Davis CR, Than PA, Khong SML, Rodrigues M, Findlay MW, Navarrete DJ, Ghali S, Vaidya JS, Gurtner GC. Therapeutic Breast Reconstruction Using Gene Therapy-Delivered IFNγ Immunotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 19:697-705. [PMID: 31658961 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
After mastectomy, breast reconstruction is increasingly performed using autologous tissue with the aim of improving quality of life. During this procedure, autologous tissue is excised, relocated, and reattached using microvascular anastomoses at the site of the extirpated breast. The period during which the tissue is ex vivo may allow genetic modification without any systemic exposure to the vector. Could such access permit delivery of therapeutic agents using the tissue flap as a vehicle? Such delivery may be more targeted and oncologically efficient than systemic therapy, and avoid systemic complications. The cytokine IFNγ has antitumor effects, and systemic toxicity could be circumvented by localized delivery of the IFNγ gene via gene therapy to autologous tissue used for breast reconstruction, which then releases IFNγ and exerts antitumor effects. In a rat model of loco-regional recurrence (LRR) with MADB-106-Luc and MAD-MB-231-Luc breast cancer cells, autologous tissue was transduced ex vivo with an adeno-associated viral vector encoding IFNγ. The "Therapeutic Reconstruction" released IFNγ at the LRR site and eliminated cancer cells, significantly decreased tumor burden, and increased survival compared with sham reconstruction (P <0.05). Mechanistically, localized IFNγ immunotherapy stimulated M1 macrophages to target cancer cells within the regional confines of the modified tumor environment. This concept of "Therapeutic Breast Reconstruction" using ex vivo gene therapy of autologous tissue offers a new application for immunotherapy in breast cancer with a dual therapeutic effect of both reconstructing the ablative defect and delivering local adjuvant immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Davis
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California. .,Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter A Than
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Sacha M L Khong
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Melanie Rodrigues
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Michael W Findlay
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.,The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel J Navarrete
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Shadi Ghali
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jayant S Vaidya
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey C Gurtner
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California.
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29
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Stevenson DK. APS Presidential Plenary 2019: the way of science: serendipity and the illusion of linearity. Pediatr Res 2019; 86:293-295. [PMID: 31195402 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-019-0456-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David K Stevenson
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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30
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Dale NC, Johnstone EKM, White CW, Pfleger KDG. NanoBRET: The Bright Future of Proximity-Based Assays. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:56. [PMID: 30972335 PMCID: PMC6443706 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) is a biophysical technique used to monitor proximity within live cells. BRET exploits the naturally occurring phenomenon of dipole-dipole energy transfer from a donor enzyme (luciferase) to an acceptor fluorophore following enzyme-mediated oxidation of a substrate. This results in production of a quantifiable signal that denotes proximity between proteins and/or molecules tagged with complementary luciferase and fluorophore partners. BRET assays have been used to observe an array of biological functions including ligand binding, intracellular signaling, receptor-receptor proximity, and receptor trafficking, however, BRET assays can theoretically be used to monitor the proximity of any protein or molecule for which appropriate fusion constructs and/or fluorophore conjugates can be produced. Over the years, new luciferases and approaches have been developed that have increased the potential applications for BRET assays. In particular, the development of the small, bright and stable Nanoluciferase (NanoLuc; Nluc) and its use in NanoBRET has vastly broadened the potential applications of BRET assays. These advances have exciting potential to produce new experimental methods to monitor protein-protein interactions (PPIs), protein-ligand interactions, and/or molecular proximity. In addition to NanoBRET, Nluc has also been exploited to produce NanoBiT technology, which further broadens the scope of BRET to monitor biological function when NanoBiT is combined with an acceptor. BRET has proved to be a powerful tool for monitoring proximity and interaction, and these recent advances further strengthen its utility for a range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha C Dale
- Molecular Endocrinology and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre for Personalised Therapeutics TechnologiesAustralia
| | - Elizabeth K M Johnstone
- Molecular Endocrinology and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre for Personalised Therapeutics TechnologiesAustralia
| | - Carl W White
- Molecular Endocrinology and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre for Personalised Therapeutics TechnologiesAustralia
| | - Kevin D G Pfleger
- Molecular Endocrinology and Pharmacology, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre for Personalised Therapeutics TechnologiesAustralia.,Dimerix Limited, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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31
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Wang J, Zhu L, Chen X, Huang R, Wang S, Dong P. Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Functionalized by Hybrid Baculovirus-Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Targeting Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:543-553. [PMID: 30747033 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck with a very poor prognosis; the median survival time for curatively treated patients was 17.2 months in India. However, cell-based gene therapy holds promise to improve patient outcomes. In this study, we investigated whether human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) possess potential homing capacity for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. To monitor the efficiency of BMSC transplantation therapy through reporter gene imaging, we employed a hybrid baculovirus vector containing the Luc-P2A-eGFP fusion or sodium iodide symporter (NIS) sequence under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. To enhance the transfection efficiency, baculovirus vectors (Bac-CMV-Luc-P2A-eGFP-ITR and Bac-CMV-NIS-ITR) were flanked by inverted terminal repeats (ITRs), which are key elements of adeno-associated viruses. The infection efficiency of Bac-CMV-Luc-P2A-eGFP-ITR in BMSCs was as high as 92.84 ± 1.14% with no obvious toxic effects at a multiplicity of infection of 400. Moreover, Bac-CMV-NIS-ITR-infected BMSCs showed highly efficient radioactive iodide (125I) uptake; these high uptake levels were maintained for at least 2 h. Transwell migration assays further demonstrated the chemotaxis of BMSCs to hypopharyngeal carcinoma cells (FaDu cells) in vitro. BMSCs modified by firefly luciferase report gene or NIS were injected into nude mice with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and changes in the localization of the BMSCs were successfully tracked with bioluminescent imaging and micro-single-photon emission computed tomography imaging. These data indicate the potential utility of BMSCs as a promising targeted-delivery vehicle for hypopharyngeal carcinoma gene therapy. Importantly, BMSCs may represent a promising targeting vector for general tumor radionuclide therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,2 Department of Otolaryngology and Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- 3 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinwei Chen
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruofei Huang
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shili Wang
- 2 Department of Otolaryngology and Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pin Dong
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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32
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Mannheim JG, Kara F, Doorduin J, Fuchs K, Reischl G, Liang S, Verhoye M, Gremse F, Mezzanotte L, Huisman MC. Standardization of Small Animal Imaging-Current Status and Future Prospects. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 20:716-731. [PMID: 28971332 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-017-1126-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The benefit of small animal imaging is directly linked to the validity and reliability of the collected data. If the data (regardless of the modality used) are not reproducible and/or reliable, then the outcome of the data is rather questionable. Therefore, standardization of the use of small animal imaging equipment, as well as of animal handling in general, is of paramount importance. In a recent paper, guidance for efficient small animal imaging quality control was offered and discussed, among others, the use of phantoms in setting up a quality control program (Osborne et al. 2016). The same phantoms can be used to standardize image quality parameters for multi-center studies or multi-scanners within center studies. In animal experiments, the additional complexity due to animal handling needs to be addressed to ensure standardized imaging procedures. In this review, we will address the current status of standardization in preclinical imaging, as well as potential benefits from increased levels of standardization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia G Mannheim
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Roentgenweg 13, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | - Firat Kara
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Janine Doorduin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kerstin Fuchs
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Roentgenweg 13, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Gerald Reischl
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Roentgenweg 13, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sayuan Liang
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Felix Gremse
- Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Optical Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc C Huisman
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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33
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Obeid MA, Dufès C, Somani S, Mullen AB, Tate RJ, Ferro VA. Proof of concept studies for siRNA delivery by nonionic surfactant vesicles: in vitro and in vivo evaluation of protein knockdown. J Liposome Res 2019; 29:229-238. [DOI: 10.1080/08982104.2018.1531424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A. Obeid
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christine Dufès
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sukrut Somani
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alexander B. Mullen
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rothwelle J. Tate
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Valerie A. Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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34
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Zhou K, Ding Y, Vuletic I, Tian Y, Li J, Liu J, Huang Y, Sun H, Li C, Ren Q, Lu Y. In vivo long-term investigation of tumor bearing mKate2 by an in-house fluorescence molecular imaging system. Biomed Eng Online 2018; 17:187. [PMID: 30594200 PMCID: PMC6310933 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-018-0615-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optical imaging is one of the most common, low-cost imaging tools used for investigating the tumor biological behavior in vivo. This study explores the feasibility and sensitivity of a near infrared fluorescent protein mKate2 for a long-term non-invasive tumor imaging in BALB/c nude mice, by using a low-power optical imaging system. Methods In this study, breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435s expressing mKate2 and MDA-MB-231 expressing a dual reporter gene firefly luciferase (fLuc)-GFP were used as cell models. Tumor cells were implanted in different animal body compartments including subcutaneous, abdominal and deep tissue area and closely monitored in real-time. A simple and low-power optical imaging system was set up to image both fluorescence and bioluminescence in live animals. Results The presence of malignant tissue was further confirmed by histopathological assay. Considering its lower exposure time and no need of substrate injection, mKate2 is considered a superior choice for subcutaneous imaging compared with fLuc. On the contrary, fLuc has shown to be a better option when monitoring the tumor in a diffusive area such as abdominal cavity. Furthermore, both reporter genes have shown good stability and sensitivity for deep tissue imaging, i.e. tumor within the liver. In addition, fLuc has shown to be an excellent method for detecting tumor cells in the lung. Conclusions The combination of mKate2 and fLuc offers a superior choice for long-term non-invasive real-time investigation of tumor biological behavior in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedi Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yichen Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ivan Vuletic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yonglu Tian
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jun Li
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jinghao Liu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yixing Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hongfang Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Changhui Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qiushi Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yanye Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China.
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35
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Barré FPY, Claes BSR, Dewez F, Peutz-Kootstra C, Munch-Petersen HF, Grønbæk K, Lund AH, Heeren RMA, Côme C, Cillero-Pastor B. Specific Lipid and Metabolic Profiles of R-CHOP-Resistant Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Elucidated by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging and in Vivo Imaging. Anal Chem 2018; 90:14198-14206. [PMID: 30422637 PMCID: PMC6328237 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b02910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Diffuse
large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common B-cell
non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To treat this aggressive disease, R-CHOP, a
combination of immunotherapy (R; rituximab) and chemotherapy (CHOP;
cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), remains
the most commonly used regimen for newly diagnosed DLBCLs. However,
up to one-third of patients ultimately becomes refractory to initial
therapy or relapses after treatment, and the high mortality rate highlights
the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches based upon selective
molecular targets. In order to understand the molecular mechanisms
underlying relapsed DLBCL, we studied differences in the lipid and
metabolic composition of nontreated and R-CHOP-resistant tumors, using
a combination of in vivo DLBCL xenograft models and mass spectrometry
imaging. Together, these techniques provide information regarding
analyte composition and molecular distributions of therapy-resistant
and sensitive areas. We found specific lipid and metabolic profiles
for R-CHOP-resistant tumors, such as a higher presence of phosphatidylinositol
and sphingomyelin fragments. In addition, we investigated intratumor
heterogeneity and identified specific lipid markers of viable and
necrotic areas. Furthermore, we could monitor metabolic changes and
found reduced adenosine triphosphate and increased adenosine monophosphate
in the R-CHOP-resistant tumors. This work highlights the power of
combining in vivo imaging and MSI to track molecular signatures in
DLBCL, which has potential application for other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian P Y Barré
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I), Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry , Maastricht University , 6229 ER Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Britt S R Claes
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I), Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry , Maastricht University , 6229 ER Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Frédéric Dewez
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I), Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry , Maastricht University , 6229 ER Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Carine Peutz-Kootstra
- Department of Pathology , Maastricht University Medical Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht , 6229 HX Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Helga F Munch-Petersen
- Department of Haematology and Department of Pathology , Rigshospitalet , 2100 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Kirsten Grønbæk
- Epigenomlaboratoriet, Rigshospitalet Dept. 3733 , Bartholin Institute , Copenhagen Biocenter, 2200 Copenhagen , Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) , University of Copenhagen , 2200 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Anders H Lund
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) , University of Copenhagen , 2200 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Ron M A Heeren
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I), Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry , Maastricht University , 6229 ER Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Christophe Côme
- Epigenomlaboratoriet, Rigshospitalet Dept. 3733 , Bartholin Institute , Copenhagen Biocenter, 2200 Copenhagen , Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) , University of Copenhagen , 2200 Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Berta Cillero-Pastor
- The Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4I), Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry , Maastricht University , 6229 ER Maastricht , The Netherlands
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36
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Fernandes-Cunha G, McKinlay CJ, Vargas JR, Jessen HJ, Waymouth RM, Wender PA. Delivery of Inorganic Polyphosphate into Cells Using Amphipathic Oligocarbonate Transporters. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2018; 4:1394-1402. [PMID: 30410977 PMCID: PMC6202642 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.8b00470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is an often-overlooked biopolymer of phosphate residues present in living cells. PolyP is associated with many essential biological roles. Despite interest in polyP's function, most studies have been limited to extracellular or isolated protein experiments, as polyanionic polyP does not traverse the nonpolar membrane of cells. To address this problem, we developed a robust, readily employed method for polyP delivery using guanidinium-rich oligocarbonate transporters that electrostatically complex polyPs of multiple lengths, forming discrete nanoparticles that are resistant to phosphatase degradation and that readily enter multiple cell types. Fluorescently labeled polyPs have been monitored over time for subcellular localization and release from the transporter, with control over release rates achieved by modulating the transporter identity and the charge ratio of the electrostatic complexes. This general approach to polyP delivery enables the study of intracellular polyP signaling in a variety of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella
M. Fernandes-Cunha
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Colin J. McKinlay
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Jessica R. Vargas
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Henning J. Jessen
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg Albertstr. 21, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert M. Waymouth
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Paul A. Wender
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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37
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Visualizing Viral Infection In Vivo by Multi-Photon Intravital Microscopy. Viruses 2018; 10:v10060337. [PMID: 29925766 PMCID: PMC6024644 DOI: 10.3390/v10060337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral pathogens have adapted to the host organism to exploit the cellular machinery for virus replication and to modulate the host cells for efficient systemic dissemination and immune evasion. Much of our knowledge of the effects that virus infections have on cells originates from in vitro imaging studies using experimental culture systems consisting of cell lines and primary cells. Recently, intravital microscopy using multi-photon excitation of fluorophores has been applied to observe virus dissemination and pathogenesis in real-time under physiological conditions in living organisms. Critical steps during viral infection and pathogenesis could be studied by direct visualization of fluorescent virus particles, virus-infected cells, and the immune response to viral infection. In this review, I summarize the latest research on in vivo studies of viral infections using multi-photon intravital microscopy (MP-IVM). Initially, the underlying principle of multi-photon microscopy is introduced and experimental challenges during microsurgical animal preparation and fluorescent labeling strategies for intravital imaging are discussed. I will further highlight recent studies that combine MP-IVM with optogenetic tools and transcriptional analysis as a powerful approach to extend the significance of in vivo imaging studies of viral pathogens.
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38
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Zhang BS, Jones KA, McCutcheon DC, Prescher JA. Pyridone Luciferins and Mutant Luciferases for Bioluminescence Imaging. Chembiochem 2018; 19:470-477. [PMID: 29384255 PMCID: PMC6163054 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
New applications for bioluminescence imaging require an expanded set of luciferase enzymes and luciferin substrates. Here, we report two novel luciferins for use in vitro and in cells. These molecules comprise regioisomeric pyridone cores that can be accessed from a common synthetic route. The analogues exhibited unique emission spectra with firefly luciferase, although photon intensities remained weak. Enhanced light outputs were achieved by using mutant luciferase enzymes. One of the luciferin-luciferase pairs produced light on par with native probes in live cells. The pyridone analogues and complementary luciferases add to a growing set of designer probes for bioluminescence imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan S. Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA),
| | - Krysten A. Jones
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA)
| | - David C. McCutcheon
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA),
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, 1120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA),
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, 3205 McGaugh Hall, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, 147 Bison Modular, Irvine, CA 92697 (USA)
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39
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McNamara G, Difilippantonio M, Ried T, Bieber FR. Microscopy and Image Analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 94:4.4.1-4.4.89. [DOI: 10.1002/cphg.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Difilippantonio
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland
| | - Thomas Ried
- Section of Cancer Genomics Genetics Branch Center for Cancer Research National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland
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40
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Hall MP, Woodroofe CC, Wood MG, Que I, Van't Root M, Ridwan Y, Shi C, Kirkland TA, Encell LP, Wood KV, Löwik C, Mezzanotte L. Click beetle luciferase mutant and near infrared naphthyl-luciferins for improved bioluminescence imaging. Nat Commun 2018; 9:132. [PMID: 29317625 PMCID: PMC5760652 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02542-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The sensitivity of bioluminescence imaging in animals is primarily dependent on the amount of photons emitted by the luciferase enzyme at wavelengths greater than 620 nm where tissue penetration is high. This area of work has been dominated by firefly luciferase and its substrate, D-luciferin, due to the system's peak emission (~ 600 nm), high signal to noise ratio, and generally favorable biodistribution of D-luciferin in mice. Here we report on the development of a codon optimized mutant of click beetle red luciferase that produces substantially more light output than firefly luciferase when the two enzymes are compared in transplanted cells within the skin of black fur mice or in deep brain. The mutant enzyme utilizes two new naphthyl-luciferin substrates to produce near infrared emission (730 nm and 743 nm). The stable luminescence signal and near infrared emission enable unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy for performing deep tissue multispectral tomography in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary P Hall
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Carolyn C Woodroofe
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
- Imaging Probe Development Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | | | - Ivo Que
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Moniek Van't Root
- Optical molecular imaging, Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yanto Ridwan
- Optical molecular imaging, Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ce Shi
- Promega Biosciences Incorporated, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401, USA
| | | | | | | | - Clemens Löwik
- Optical molecular imaging, Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Mezzanotte
- Optical molecular imaging, Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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41
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Wang Y, An R, Luo Z, Ye D. Firefly Luciferin-Inspired Biocompatible Chemistry for Protein Labeling and In Vivo Imaging. Chemistry 2017; 24:5707-5722. [PMID: 29068109 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201704349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Biocompatible reactions have emerged as versatile tools to build various molecular imaging probes that hold great promise for the detection of biological processes in vitro and/or in vivo. In this Minireview, we describe the recent advances in the development of a firefly luciferin-inspired biocompatible reaction between cyanobenzothiazole (CBT) and cysteine (Cys), and highlight its versatility to label proteins and build multimodality molecular imaging probes. The review starts from the general introduction of biocompatible reactions, which is followed by briefly describing the development of the firefly luciferin-inspired biocompatible chemistry. We then discuss its applications for the specific protein labeling and for the development of multimodality imaging probes (fluorescence, bioluminescence, MRI, PET, photoacoustic, etc.) that enable high sensitivity and spatial resolution imaging of redox environment, furin and caspase-3/7 activity in living cells and mice. Finally, we offer the conclusions and our perspective on the various and potential applications of this reaction. We hope that this review will contribute to the research of biocompatible reactions for their versatile applications in protein labeling and molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Ruibing An
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhiliang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Deju Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
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42
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Suzuki K, Nagai T. Recent progress in expanding the chemiluminescent toolbox for bioimaging. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 48:135-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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43
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Kopinja J, Sevilla RS, Levitan D, Dai D, Vanko A, Spooner E, Ware C, Forget R, Hu K, Kral A, Spacciapoli P, Kennan R, Jayaraman L, Pucci V, Perera S, Zhang W, Fischer C, Lam MH. A Brain Penetrant Mutant IDH1 Inhibitor Provides In Vivo Survival Benefit. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13853. [PMID: 29062039 PMCID: PMC5653818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14065-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in IDH1 are highly prevalent in human glioma. First line treatment is radiotherapy, which many patients often forego to avoid treatment-associated morbidities. The high prevalence of IDH1 mutations in glioma highlights the need for brain-penetrant IDH1 mutant-selective inhibitors as an alternative therapeutic option. Here, we have explored the utility of such an inhibitor in IDH1 mutant patient-derived models to assess the potential therapeutic benefits associated with intracranial 2-HG inhibition. Treatment of mutant IDH1 cell line models led to a decrease in intracellular 2-HG levels both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, inhibition of 2-HG production had no effect on in vitro IDH1 mutant glioma cell proliferation. In contrast, IDH1 mutant-selective inhibitors provided considerable survival benefit in vivo. However, even with near complete inhibition of intratumoral 2-HG production, not all mutant glioma models responded to treatment. The results suggest that disruption of 2-HG production with brain-penetrant inhibitors in IDH1 mutant gliomas may have substantial patient benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Kopinja
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Raquel S Sevilla
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Diane Levitan
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - David Dai
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Amy Vanko
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Edward Spooner
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Chris Ware
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Robert Forget
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Kun Hu
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Astrid Kral
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Peter Spacciapoli
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Richard Kennan
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Lata Jayaraman
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Vincenzo Pucci
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Samanthi Perera
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Weisheng Zhang
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Christian Fischer
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA.
| | - Michael H Lam
- Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
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44
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Adams PP, Flores Avile C, Jewett MW. A Dual Luciferase Reporter System for B. burgdorferi Measures Transcriptional Activity during Tick-Pathogen Interactions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:225. [PMID: 28620587 PMCID: PMC5449462 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the transcriptional responses of vector-borne pathogens at the vector-pathogen interface is critical for understanding disease transmission. Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease in the United States, is transmitted by the bite of infected Ixodes sp. ticks. It is known that B. burgdorferi has altered patterns of gene expression during tick acquisition, persistence and transmission. Recently, we and others have discovered in vitro expression of RNAs found internal, overlapping, and antisense to annotated open reading frames in the B. burgdorferi genome. However, there is a lack of molecular genetic tools for B. burgdorferi for quantitative, strand-specific, comparative analysis of these transcripts in distinct environments such as the arthropod vector. To address this need, we have developed a dual luciferase reporter system to quantify B. burgdorferi promoter activities in a strand-specific manner. We demonstrate that constitutive expression of a B. burgdorferi codon-optimized Renilla reniformis luciferase gene (rlucBb ) allows normalization of the activity of a promoter of interest when fused to the B. burgdorferi codon-optimized Photinus pyralis luciferase gene (flucBb) on the same plasmid. Using the well characterized, differentially regulated, promoters for flagellin (flaBp), outer surface protein A (ospAp) and outer surface protein C (ospCp), we document the efficacy of the dual luciferase system for quantitation of promoter activities during in vitro growth and in infected ticks. Cumulatively, the dual luciferase method outlined herein is the first dual reporter system for B. burgdorferi, providing a novel and highly versatile approach for strand-specific molecular genetic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip P Adams
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of MedicineOrlando, FL, United States
| | - Carlos Flores Avile
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of MedicineOrlando, FL, United States
| | - Mollie W Jewett
- Division of Immunity and Pathogenesis, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of MedicineOrlando, FL, United States
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45
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Mezzanotte L, van 't Root M, Karatas H, Goun EA, Löwik CWGM. In Vivo Molecular Bioluminescence Imaging: New Tools and Applications. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:640-652. [PMID: 28501458 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLi) is an optical molecular imaging technique used to visualize molecular and cellular processes in health and diseases and to follow the fate of cells with high sensitivity using luciferase-based gene reporters. The high sensitivity of this technique arises from efficient photon production, followed by the reaction between luciferase enzymes and luciferin substrates. Novel discoveries and developments of luciferase reporters, substrates, and gene-editing techniques, and emerging fields of applications, promise a new era of deeper and more sensitive molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mezzanotte
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Moniek van 't Root
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hacer Karatas
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elena A Goun
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clemens W G M Löwik
- Optical Molecular imaging, Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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46
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Jones KA, Porterfield WB, Rathbun CM, McCutcheon DC, Paley MA, Prescher JA. Orthogonal Luciferase-Luciferin Pairs for Bioluminescence Imaging. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:2351-2358. [PMID: 28106389 PMCID: PMC5452985 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b11737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging with luciferase-luciferin pairs is widely used in biomedical research. Several luciferases have been identified in nature, and many have been adapted for tracking cells in whole animals. Unfortunately, the optimal luciferases for imaging in vivo utilize the same substrate and therefore cannot easily differentiate multiple cell types in a single subject. To develop a broader set of distinguishable probes, we crafted custom luciferins that can be selectively processed by engineered luciferases. Libraries of mutant enzymes were iteratively screened with sterically modified luciferins, and orthogonal enzyme-substrate "hits" were identified. These tools produced light when complementary enzyme-substrate partners interacted both in vitro and in cultured cell models. Based on their selectivity, these designer pairs will bolster multicomponent imaging and enable the direct interrogation of cell networks not currently possible with existing tools. Our screening platform is also general and will expedite the identification of more unique luciferases and luciferins, further expanding the bioluminescence toolkit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krysten A. Jones
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | | | - Colin M. Rathbun
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | | | - Miranda A. Paley
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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47
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Zare-Shahabadi A, Ataei A, Rezaei N. Proteins brighten the brain. Life Sci 2016; 167:1-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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48
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Stading BR, Osorio JE, Velasco-Villa A, Smotherman M, Kingstad-Bakke B, Rocke TE. Infectivity of attenuated poxvirus vaccine vectors and immunogenicity of a raccoonpox vectored rabies vaccine in the Brazilian Free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis). Vaccine 2016; 34:5352-5358. [PMID: 27650872 PMCID: PMC5543807 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.08.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Bats (Order Chiroptera) are an abundant group of mammals with tremendous ecological value as insectivores and plant dispersers, but their role as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases has received more attention in the last decade. With the goal of managing disease in free-ranging bats, we tested modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) and raccoon poxvirus (RCN) as potential vaccine vectors in the Brazilian Free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), using biophotonic in vivo imaging and immunogenicity studies. Animals were administered recombinant poxviral vectors expressing the luciferase gene (MVA-luc, RCN-luc) through oronasal (ON) or intramuscular (IM) routes and subsequently monitored for bioluminescent signal indicative of viral infection. No clinical illness was noted after exposure to any of the vectors, and limited luciferase expression was observed. Higher and longer levels of expression were observed with the RCN-luc construct. When given IM, luciferase expression was limited to the site of injection, while ON exposure led to initial expression in the oral cavity, often followed by secondary replication at another location, likely the gastric mucosa or gastric associated lymphatic tissue. Viral DNA was detected in oral swabs up to 7 and 9 days post infection (dpi) for MVA and RCN, respectively. While no live virus was detected in oral swabs from MVA-infected bats, titers up to 3.88 x 104 PFU/ml were recovered from oral swabs of RCN-infected bats. Viral DNA was also detected in fecal samples from two bats inoculated IM with RCN, but no live virus was recovered. Finally, we examined the immunogenicity of a RCN based rabies vaccine (RCN-G) following ON administration. Significant rabies neutralizing antibody titers were detected in the serum of immunized bats using the rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test (RFFIT). These studies highlight the safety and immunogenicity of attenuated poxviruses and their potential use as vaccine vectors in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben R Stading
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1656 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA; U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Rd., Madison, WI 53711, USA.
| | - Jorge E Osorio
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1656 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Andres Velasco-Villa
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
| | | | - Brock Kingstad-Bakke
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1656 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Tonie E Rocke
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Rd., Madison, WI 53711, USA.
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49
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Simonyan H, Hurr C, Young CN. A synthetic luciferin improves in vivo bioluminescence imaging of gene expression in cardiovascular brain regions. Physiol Genomics 2016; 48:762-770. [PMID: 27614203 PMCID: PMC5243229 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00055.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescence imaging is an effective tool for in vivo investigation of molecular processes. We have demonstrated the applicability of bioluminescence imaging to spatiotemporally monitor gene expression in cardioregulatory brain nuclei during the development of cardiovascular disease, via incorporation of firefly luciferase into living animals, combined with exogenous d-luciferin substrate administration. Nevertheless, d-luciferin uptake into the brain tissue is low, which decreases the sensitivity of bioluminescence detection, particularly when considering small changes in gene expression in tiny central areas. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a synthetic luciferin, cyclic alkylaminoluciferin (CycLuc1), would be superior to d-luciferin for in vivo bioluminescence imaging in cardiovascular brain regions. Male C57B1/6 mice underwent targeted delivery of an adenovirus encoding the luciferase gene downstream of the CMV promoter to the subfornical organ (SFO) or paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN), two crucial cardioregulatory neural regions. While bioluminescent signals could be obtained following d-luciferin injection (150 mg/kg), CycLuc1 administration resulted in a three- to fourfold greater bioluminescent emission from the SFO and PVN, at 10- to 20-fold lower substrate concentrations (7.5-15 mg/kg). This CycLuc1-mediated enhancement in bioluminescent emission was evident early following substrate administration (i.e., 6-10 min) and persisted for up to 1 h. When the exposure time was reduced from 60 s to 1,500 ms, minimal signal in the PVN was detectable with d-luciferin, whereas bioluminescent images could be reliably captured with CycLuc1. These findings demonstrate that bioluminescent imaging with the synthetic luciferin CycLuc1 provides an improved physiological genomics tool to investigate molecular events in discrete cardioregulatory brain nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayk Simonyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Chansol Hurr
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Colin N Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
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Vila OF, Garrido C, Cano I, Guerra-Rebollo M, Navarro M, Meca-Cortés O, Ma SP, Engel E, Rubio N, Blanco J. Real-Time Bioluminescence Imaging of Cell Distribution, Growth, and Differentiation in a Three-Dimensional Scaffold Under Interstitial Perfusion for Tissue Engineering. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2016; 22:864-72. [PMID: 27339005 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2014.0421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioreactor systems allow safe and reproducible production of tissue constructs and functional analysis of cell behavior in biomaterials. However, current procedures for the analysis of tissue generated in biomaterials are destructive. We describe a transparent perfusion system that allows real-time bioluminescence imaging of luciferase expressing cells seeded in scaffolds for the study of cell-biomaterial interactions and bioreactor performance. A prototype provided with a poly(lactic) acid scaffold was used for "proof of principle" studies to monitor cell survival in the scaffold (up to 22 days). Moreover, using cells expressing a luciferase reporter under the control of inducible tissue-specific promoters, it was possible to monitor changes in gene expression resulting from hypoxic state and endothelial cell differentiation. This system should be useful in numerous tissue engineering applications, the optimization of bioreactor operation conditions, and the analysis of cell behavior in three-dimensional scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaia F Vila
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Cristina Garrido
- 2 Cell Therapy Group, Catalonian Institute for Advanced Chemistry (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain .,3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Irene Cano
- 3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain .,4 Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Guerra-Rebollo
- 2 Cell Therapy Group, Catalonian Institute for Advanced Chemistry (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain .,3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Melba Navarro
- 3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain .,4 Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Meca-Cortés
- 2 Cell Therapy Group, Catalonian Institute for Advanced Chemistry (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain .,3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Stephen P Ma
- 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University , New York, New York
| | - Elisabeth Engel
- 3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain .,4 Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria Rubio
- 2 Cell Therapy Group, Catalonian Institute for Advanced Chemistry (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain .,3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jerónimo Blanco
- 2 Cell Therapy Group, Catalonian Institute for Advanced Chemistry (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain .,3 Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
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