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Peng A, Xu HN, Moon L, Zhang P, Li LZ. Quantitative Optical Redox Imaging of Melanoma Xenografts with Different Metastatic Potentials. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1669. [PMID: 38730620 PMCID: PMC11083304 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091669] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
To develop imaging biomarkers for tumors aggressiveness, our previous optical redox imaging (ORI) studies of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp, containing flavin adenine dinucleotide, i.e., FAD) in tumor xenografts of human melanoma associated the high optical redox ratio (ORR = Fp/(Fp + NADH)) and its heterogeneity to the high invasive/metastatic potential, without having reported quantitative results for NADH and Fp. Here, we implemented a calibration procedure to facilitate imaging the nominal concentrations of tissue NADH and Fp in the mouse xenografts of two human melanoma lines, an indolent less metastatic A375P and a more metastatic C8161. Images of the redox indices (NADH, Fp, ORR) revealed the existence of more oxidized areas (OAs) and more reduced areas (RAs) within individual tumors. ORR was found to be higher and NADH lower in C8161 compared to that of A375P xenografts, both globally for the whole tumors and locally in OAs. The ORR in the OA can differentiate xenografts with a higher statistical significance than the global averaged ORR. H&E staining of the tumors indicated that the redox differences we identified were more likely due to intrinsically different cell metabolism, rather than variations in cell density.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Peng
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (A.P.); (H.N.X.); (L.M.)
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - He N. Xu
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (A.P.); (H.N.X.); (L.M.)
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lily Moon
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (A.P.); (H.N.X.); (L.M.)
| | - Paul Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Lin Z. Li
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (A.P.); (H.N.X.); (L.M.)
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Xu HN, Morrow RM, Feng M, Zhao H, Wallace D, Li LZ. Optical redox imaging of ANT1-deficient muscles. JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE OPTICAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2024; 17:2350032. [PMID: 39077370 PMCID: PMC11286258 DOI: 10.1142/s1793545823500323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) is a mitochondrial protein involved in the exchange of ADP and ATP across the mitochondrial inner membrane. It plays a crucial role in cellular energy metabolism by facilitating the transport of ATP synthesized within the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. The isoform ANT1 predominately expresses in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Mutations or dysregulation in ANT1 have been implicated in various mitochondrial disorders and neuromuscular diseases. We aimed to examine whether ANT1 deletion may affect mitochondrial redox state in our established ANT1-deficient mice. Hearts and quadriceps resected from age-matched wild type (WT) and ANT1-deficient mice were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. The Chance redox scanner was utilized to perform 3D optical redox imaging. Each sample underwent scanning across 3-5 sections. Global averaging analysis showed no significant differences in the redox indices (NADH, flavin adenine dinucleotide containing-flavoproteins Fp, and the redox ratio Fp/(NADH+Fp) between WT and ANT1-deficient groups. However, quadriceps had higher Fp than hearts in both groups (p = 0.0004 and 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the quadriceps were also more oxidized (a higher redox ratio) than hearts in WT group (p = 0.004). NADH levels were similar in all cases. Our data suggest that under non-stressful physical condition, the ANT1-deficient muscle cells were in the same mitochondrial state as WT ones and that the significant difference in the mitochondrial redox state between quadriceps and hearts found in WT might be diminished in ANT1-deficient ones. Redox imaging of muscles under physical stress can be conducted in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N. Xu
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ryan M. Morrow
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Min Feng
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Douglas Wallace
- Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lin Z. Li
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Development of an Endoscopic Auto-Fluorescent Sensing Device to Aid in the Detection of Breast Cancer and Inform Photodynamic Therapy. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12111097. [PMID: 36422237 PMCID: PMC9697641 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12111097] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer type in women, with it being the second most deadly cancer in terms of total yearly mortality. Due to the prevalence of this disease, better methods are needed for both detection and treatment. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are autofluorescent biomarkers that lend insight into cell and tissue metabolism. As such, we developed an endoscopic device to measure these metabolites in tissue to differentiate between malignant tumors and normal tissue. We performed initial validations in liquid phantoms as well as compared to a previously validated redox imaging system. We also imaged ex vivo tissue samples after modulation with carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) and a combination of rotenone and antimycin A. We then imaged the rim and the core of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer tumors, with our results showing that the core of a cancerous lesion has a significantly higher optical redox ratio ([FAD]/([FAD] + [NADH])) than the rim, which agrees with previously published results. The mouse muscle tissues exhibited a significantly lower FAD, higher NADH, and lower redox ratio compared to the tumor core or rim. We also used the endoscope to measure NADH and FAD after photodynamic therapy treatment, a light-activated treatment methodology. Our results found that the NADH signal increases in the malignancy rim and core, while the core of cancers demonstrated a significant increase in the FAD signal.
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Xu HN, Lin Z, Gandhi CK, Amatya S, Wang Y, Li LZ, Floros J. Sex and SP-A2 Dependent NAD(H) Redox Alterations in Mouse Alveolar Macrophages in Response to Ozone Exposure: Potential Implications for COVID-19. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9100915. [PMID: 32992843 PMCID: PMC7601279 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9100915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) redox plays a key role in macrophage function. Surfactant protein (SP-) A modulates the functions of alveolar macrophages (AM) and ozone (O3) exposure in the presence or absence of SP-A and reduces mouse survival in a sex-dependent manner. It is unclear whether and how NAD(H) redox status plays a role in the innate immune response in a sex-dependent manner. We investigated the NAD(H) redox status of AM from SP-A2 and SP-A knockout (KO) mice in response to O3 or filtered air (control) exposure using optical redox imaging technique. We found: (i) In SP-A2 mice, the redox alteration of AM in response to O3 showed sex-dependence with AM from males being significantly more oxidized and having a higher level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species than females; (ii) AM from KO mice were more oxidized after O3 exposure and showed no sex differences; (iii) AM from female KO mice were more oxidized than female SP-A2 mice; and (iv) Two distinct subpopulations characterized by size and redox status were observed in a mouse AM sample. In conclusions, the NAD(H) redox balance in AM responds to O3 in a sex-dependent manner and the innate immune molecule, SP-A2, contributes to this observed sex-specific redox response.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N. Xu
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.N.X.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zhenwu Lin
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.N.X.); (Z.L.)
| | - Chintan K. Gandhi
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Host Defense, Inflammation, and Lung Disease, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (C.K.G.); (S.A.); (Y.W.)
| | - Shaili Amatya
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Host Defense, Inflammation, and Lung Disease, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (C.K.G.); (S.A.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yunhua Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Host Defense, Inflammation, and Lung Disease, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (C.K.G.); (S.A.); (Y.W.)
| | - Lin Z. Li
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (H.N.X.); (Z.L.)
- Correspondence: (L.Z.L.); (J.F.)
| | - Joanna Floros
- Departments of Pediatric and Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Correspondence: (L.Z.L.); (J.F.)
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Abstract
PURPOSE Fluorescence of co-enzyme reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp) provides a sensitive measure of the mitochondrial redox state and cellular metabolism. By imaging NADH and Fp, we investigated the utility of optical redox imaging (ORI) to monitor cellular metabolism and detect early metabolic response to cancer drugs. PROCEDURES We performed ORI of human melanoma DB-1 cells in culture and DB-1 mouse xenografts to detect the redox response to lonidamine (LND) treatment. RESULTS For cultured cells, LND treatment for 45 min significantly lowered NADH levels with no significant change in Fp, resulting in a significant increase in the Fp redox ratio (Fp/(NADH+Fp)); 3-h prolonged treatment led to a decrease in NADH and an increase in Fp and a more oxidized redox state compared to control. Significant decrease in the mitochondrial redox capacity of LND-treated cells was observed for the first time. For xenografts, 45-min LND treatment resulted in a significant reduction of NADH content, no significant changes in Fp content, and a trend of increase in the Fp redox ratio. Intratumor redox heterogeneity was observed in both control and LND-treated groups. CONCLUSION Our results support the utility of ORI for evaluating cellular metabolism and monitoring early metabolic response to cancer drugs.
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Broekgaarden M, Anbil S, Bulin AL, Obaid G, Mai Z, Baglo Y, Rizvi I, Hasan T. Modulation of redox metabolism negates cancer-associated fibroblasts-induced treatment resistance in a heterotypic 3D culture platform of pancreatic cancer. Biomaterials 2019; 222:119421. [PMID: 31494503 PMCID: PMC6934357 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The complex interplay between cancer cells and their microenvironment remains a major challenge in the design and optimization of treatment strategies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent investigations have demonstrated that mechanistically distinct combination therapies hold promise for treatment of PDAC, but effective clinical translation requires more accurate models that account for the abundant tumor-stroma and its influence on cancer growth, metabolism and treatment insensitivity. In this study, a modular 3D culture model that comprised PDAC cells and patient-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was developed to assess the effects of PDAC-CAF interactions on treatment efficacies. Using newly-developed high-throughput imaging and image analysis tools, it was found that CAFs imparted a notable and statistically significant resistance to oxaliplatin chemotherapy and benzoporphyrin derivative-mediated photodynamic therapy, which associated with increased levels of basal oxidative metabolism. Increased treatment resistance and redox states were similarly observed in an orthotopic xenograft model of PDAC in which cancer cells and CAFs were co-implanted in mice. Combination therapies of oxaliplatin and PDT with the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor metformin overcame CAF-induced treatment resistance. The findings underscore that heterotypic microtumor culture models recapitulate metabolic alterations stemming from tumor-stroma interactions. The presented infrastructure can be adapted with disease-specific cell types and is compatible with patient-derived tissues to enable personalized screening and optimization of new metabolism-targeted treatment regimens for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mans Broekgaarden
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sriram Anbil
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; The University of Texas School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Anne-Laure Bulin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Girgis Obaid
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhiming Mai
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yan Baglo
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tayyaba Hasan
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, USA.
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Wen Y, Xu HN, Privette Vinnedge L, Feng M, Li LZ. Optical Redox Imaging Detects the Effects of DEK Oncogene Knockdown on the Redox State of MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 21:410-416. [PMID: 30758703 PMCID: PMC6684344 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01321-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Optical redox imaging (ORI), based on collecting the endogenous fluorescence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp) containing a redox cofactor flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), provides sensitive indicators of cellular metabolism and redox status. ORI indices (such as NADH, FAD, and their ratio) have been under investigation as potential progression/prognosis biomarkers for cancer. Higher FAD redox ratio (i.e., FAD/(FAD + NADH)) has been associated with higher invasive/metastatic potential in tumor xenografts and cultured cells. This study is to examine whether ORI indices can respond to the modulation of oncogene DEK activities that change cancer cell invasive/metastatic potential. PROCEDURES Using lentiviral shRNA, DEK gene expression was efficiently knocked down in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (DEKsh). These DEKsh cells, along with scrambled shRNA-transduced control cells (NTsh), were imaged with a fluorescence microscope. In vitro invasive potential of the DEKsh cells and NTsh cells was also measured in parallel using the transwell assay. RESULTS FAD and FAD redox ratios in polyclonal cells with DEKsh were significantly lower than that in NTsh control cells. Consistently, the DEKsh cells demonstrated decreased invasive potential than their non-knockdown counterparts NTsh cells. CONCLUSIONS This study provides direct evidence that oncogene activities could mediate ORI-detected cellular redox state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wen
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, 08903, USA
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - He N Xu
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa Privette Vinnedge
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Min Feng
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lin Z Li
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Abramson Cancer Center and Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Xu HN, Zhao H, Chellappa K, Davis JG, Nioka S, Baur JA, Li LZ. Optical Redox Imaging of Fixed Unstained Muscle Slides Reveals Useful Biological Information. Mol Imaging Biol 2019; 21:417-425. [PMID: 30977079 PMCID: PMC6581512 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01348-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Optical redox imaging (ORI) technique images cellular autofluorescence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp containing FAD, i.e., flavin adenine dinucleotide). ORI has found wide applications in the study of cellular energetics and metabolism and may potentially assist in disease diagnosis and prognosis. Fixed tissues have been reported to exhibit autofluorescence with similar spectral characteristics to those of NADH and Fp. However, few studies report on quantitative ORI of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) unstained tissue slides for disease biomarkers. We investigate whether ORI of FFPE unstained skeletal muscle slides may provide relevant quantitative biological information. PROCEDURES Living mouse muscle fibers and frozen and FFPE mouse muscle slides were subjected to ORI. Living mouse muscle fibers were imaged ex vivo before and after paraformaldehyde fixation. FFPE muscle slides of three mouse groups (young, mid-age, and muscle-specific overexpression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) transgenic mid-age) were imaged and compared to detect age-related redox differences. RESULTS We observed that living muscle fiber and frozen and FFPE slides all had strong autofluorescence signals in the NADH and Fp channels. Paraformaldehyde fixation resulted in a significant increase in the redox ratio Fp/(NADH + Fp) of muscle fibers. Quantitative image analysis on FFPE unstained slides showed that mid-age gastrocnemius muscles had stronger NADH and Fp signals than young muscles. Gastrocnemius muscles from mid-age Nampt mice had lower NADH compared to age-matched controls, but had higher Fp than young controls. Soleus muscles had the same trend of change and appeared to be more oxidative than gastrocnemius muscles. Differential NADH and Fp signals were found between gastrocnemius and soleus muscles within both mid-aged control and Nampt groups. CONCLUSION Aging effect on redox status quantified by ORI of FFPE unstained muscle slides was reported for the first time. Quantitative information from ORI of FFPE unstained slides may be useful for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N Xu
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Karthikeyani Chellappa
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism and Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - James G Davis
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism and Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shoko Nioka
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph A Baur
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism and Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lin Z Li
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Kolenc OI, Quinn KP. Evaluating Cell Metabolism Through Autofluorescence Imaging of NAD(P)H and FAD. Antioxid Redox Signal 2019; 30:875-889. [PMID: 29268621 PMCID: PMC6352511 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Optical imaging using the endogenous fluorescence of metabolic cofactors has enabled nondestructive examination of dynamic changes in cell and tissue function both in vitro and in vivo. Quantifying NAD(P)H and FAD fluorescence through an optical redox ratio and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) provides sensitivity to the relative balance between oxidative phosphorylation and glucose catabolism. Since its introduction decades ago, the use of NAD(P)H imaging has expanded to include applications involving almost every major tissue type and a variety of pathologies. Recent Advances: This review focuses on the use of two-photon excited fluorescence and NAD(P)H fluorescence lifetime techniques in cancer, neuroscience, tissue engineering, and other biomedical applications over the last 5 years. In a variety of cancer models, NAD(P)H fluorescence intensity and lifetime measurements demonstrate a sensitivity to the Warburg effect, suggesting potential for early detection or high-throughput drug screening. The sensitivity to the biosynthetic demands of stem cell differentiation and tissue repair processes indicates the range of applications for this imaging technology may be broad. CRITICAL ISSUES As the number of applications for these fluorescence imaging techniques expand, identifying and characterizing additional intrinsic fluorophores and chromophores present in vivo will be vital to accurately measure and interpret metabolic outcomes. Understanding the full capabilities and limitations of FLIM will also be key to future advances. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Future work is needed to evaluate whether a combination of different biochemical and structural outcomes using these imaging techniques can provide complementary information regarding the utilization of specific metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia I Kolenc
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Kyle P Quinn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
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Lin Z, Xu HN, Wang Y, Floros J, Li LZ. Differential Expression of PGC1α in Intratumor Redox Subpopulations of Breast Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1072:177-181. [PMID: 30178342 PMCID: PMC6429950 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-91287-5_28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Our previous studies indicate that the mitochondrial redox state and its intratumor heterogeneity are associated with invasiveness and metastatic potential in human breast cancer cell models and mouse xenografts. To further study the molecular basis of redox heterogeneity, we obtained the fluorescence images of Fp (oxidized flavoproteins containing flavin adenine dinucleotide, i.e., FAD), NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and the Fp redox ratio (FpR = Fp/(Fp + NADH)) of MDA-MB-231 xenografts by the Chance redox scanner, then isolated the intratumoral redox subpopulations by dissection according to the redox ratio image. A total of 12 subpopulations were isolated from 4 tumors (2-4 locations from each tumor). The 12 subpopulations were classified into 3 FpR groups: high FpR (HFpR, n = 4, FpR range 0.78-0.92, average 0.85), medium FpR (MFpR, n = 5, FpR range 0.39-0.68, average 0.52), and low FpR (LFpR, n = 3, FpR range 0.15-0.28, average 0.20). The RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) analysis on these redox subpopulations showed that PGC-1α is significantly upregulated in the HFpR redox group compared to the MFpR group (fold change 2.1, p = 0.008), but not significantly different between MFpR and LFpR groups, or between HFpR and LFpR groups. These results indicate that optical redox imaging (ORI)-based redox subpopulations exhibit differential expression of PGC1α gene and suggest that PGC1α might play a role in redox mediation of breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwu Lin
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - He N Xu
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yunhua Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Joanna Floros
- Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Lin Z Li
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Xu HN, Tchou J, Feng M, Zhao H, Li LZ. Optical redox imaging indices discriminate human breast cancer from normal tissues. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:114003. [PMID: 27896360 PMCID: PMC5136669 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.11.114003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Our long-term goal was to investigate the potential of incorporating redox imaging technique as a breast cancer (BC) diagnosis component to increase the positive predictive value of suspicious imaging finding and to reduce unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnosis. We previously found that precancer and cancer tissues in animal models displayed abnormal mitochondrial redox state. We also revealed abnormal mitochondrial redox state in cancerous specimens from three BC patients. Here, we extend our study to include biopsies of 16 patients. Tissue aliquots were collected from both apparently normal and cancerous tissues from the affected cancer-bearing breasts shortly after surgical resection. All specimens were snap-frozen and scanned with the Chance redox scanner, i.e., the three-dimensional cryogenic NADH/Fp (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/oxidized flavoproteins) fluorescence imager. We found both Fp and NADH in the cancerous tissues roughly tripled that in the normal tissues ( p < 0.05 ). The redox ratio Fp/(NADH + Fp) was ? 27 % higher in the cancerous tissues ( p < 0.05 ). Additionally, Fp, or NADH, or the redox ratio alone could predict cancer with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. Our findings suggest that the optical redox imaging technique can provide parameters independent of clinical factors for discriminating cancer from noncancer breast tissues in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N. Xu
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Laboratory, B6 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Johnson Research Foundation, Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, R171 John Morgan Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Julia Tchou
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, West Pavilion 3rd Floor, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Rena Rowan Breast Center, West Pavilion, 3rd Floor, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Min Feng
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Laboratory, B6 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Johnson Research Foundation, Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, R171 John Morgan Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Temple University, School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Kresge Room 218, 3440 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Lin Z. Li
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Laboratory, B6 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Johnson Research Foundation, Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, R171 John Morgan Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Abramson Cancer Center, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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12
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Sengupta D, Pratx G. Imaging metabolic heterogeneity in cancer. Mol Cancer 2016; 15:4. [PMID: 26739333 PMCID: PMC4704434 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-015-0481-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As our knowledge of cancer metabolism has increased, it has become apparent that cancer metabolic processes are extremely heterogeneous. The reasons behind this heterogeneity include genetic diversity, the existence of multiple and redundant metabolic pathways, altered microenvironmental conditions, and so on. As a result, methods in the clinic and beyond have been developed in order to image and study tumor metabolism in the in vivo and in vitro regimes. Both regimes provide unique advantages and challenges, and may be used to provide a picture of tumor metabolic heterogeneity that is spatially and temporally comprehensive. Taken together, these methods may hold the key to appropriate cancer diagnoses and treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debanti Sengupta
- Stanford University School of Medicine, A226 Building A, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Guillem Pratx
- Stanford University School of Medicine, A226 Building A, 1050 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
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Cai K, Xu HN, Singh A, Moon L, Haris M, Reddy R, Li LZ. Breast cancer redox heterogeneity detectable with chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI. Mol Imaging Biol 2015; 16:670-9. [PMID: 24811957 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-014-0739-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Tissue redox state is an important mediator of various biological processes in health and diseases such as cancer. Previously, we discovered that the mitochondrial redox state of ex vivo tissues detected by redox scanning (an optical imaging method) revealed interesting tumor redox state heterogeneity that could differentiate tumor aggressiveness. Because the noninvasive chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI can probe the proton transfer and generate contrasts from endogenous metabolites, we aim to investigate if the in vivo CEST contrast is sensitive to proton transfer of the redox reactions so as to reveal the tissue redox states in breast cancer animal models. PROCEDURES CEST MRI has been employed to characterize tumor metabolic heterogeneity and correlated with the redox states measured by the redox scanning in two human breast cancer mouse xenograft models, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. The possible biological mechanism on the correlation between the two imaging modalities was further investigated by phantom studies where the reductants and the oxidants of the representative redox reactions were measured. RESULTS The CEST contrast is found linearly correlated with NADH concentration and the NADH redox ratio with high statistical significance, where NADH is the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The phantom studies showed that the reductants of the redox reactions have more CEST contrast than the corresponding oxidants, indicating that higher CEST effect corresponds to the more reduced redox state. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study suggests that CEST MRI, once calibrated, might provide a novel noninvasive imaging surrogate for the tissue redox state and a possible diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejia Cai
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA,
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Ding L, Han L, Li Y, Zhao J, He P, Zhang W. Neurogenin 3-directed cre deletion of Tsc1 gene causes pancreatic acinar carcinoma. Neoplasia 2014; 16:909-17. [PMID: 25425965 PMCID: PMC4240920 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2014.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Revised: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancers remains largely unknown. The present study shows that neurogenin 3 directed Cre deletion of Tsc1 gene induces the development of pancreatic acinar carcinoma. By cross-breeding the Neurog3-cre mice with Tsc1 (loxp/loxp) mice, we generated the Neurog3-Tsc1-/- transgenic mice in which Tsc1 gene is deleted and mTOR signaling activated in the pancreatic progenitor cells. All Neurog3-Tsc1-/- mice developed notable adenocarcinoma-like lesions in pancreas starting from the age of 100 days old. The tumor lesions are composed of cells with morphological and molecular resemblance to acinar cells. Metastasis of neoplasm to liver and lung was detected in 5% of animals. Inhibition of mTOR signaling by rapamycin significantly attenuated the growth of the neoplasm. Relapse of the neoplasm occurred within 14 days upon cessation of rapamycin treatment. Our studies indicate that activation of mTOR signaling in the pancreatic progenitor cells may trigger the development of acinar carcinoma. Thus, mTOR may serve as a potential target for treatment of pancreatic acinar carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ding
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lingling Han
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weizhen Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China ; Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0346
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15
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Xu HN, Li LZ. Quantitative redox imaging biomarkers for studying tissue metabolic state and its heterogeneity. JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE OPTICAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2014; 7:1430002. [PMID: 31827630 PMCID: PMC6905396 DOI: 10.1142/s179354581430002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
NAD+/NADH redox state has been implicated in many diseases such as cancer and diabetes as well as in the regulation of embryonic development and aging. To fluorimetrically assess the mitochondrial redox state, Dr. Chance and co-workers measured the fluorescence of NADH and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp) including flavin-adenine-dinucleotide (FAD) and demonstrated their ratio (i.e. the redox ratio) is a sensitive indicator of the mitochondrial redox states. The Chance redox scanner was built to simultaneously measure NADH and Fp in tissue at submillimeter scale in 3D using the freeze-trap protocol. This paper summarizes our recent research experience, development and new applications of the redox scanning technique in collaboration with Dr.Chance beginning in 2005. Dr. Chance initiated or actively involved in many of the projects during the last several years of his life. We advanced the redox scanning technique by measuring the nominal concentrations (in reference to the frozen solution standards) of the endogenous fluorescent analytes, i.e., [NADH] and [Fp] to quantify the redox ratios in various biological tissues. The advancement has enabled us to identify an array of the redox indices as quantitative imaging biomarkers (including [NADH], [Fp], [Fp]/([NADH] + [Fp]), [NADH]/[Fp], and their standard deviations) for studying some important biological questions on cancer and normal tissue metabolism. We found that the redox indices were associated or changed with (1) tumorigenesis (cancer versus non-cancer of human breast tissue biopsies); (2) tumor metastatic potential; (3) tumor glucose uptake; (4) tumor p53 status; (5) PI3K pathway activation in premalignant tissue; (6) therapeutic effects on tumors; (7) embryonic stem cell differentiation; (8) the heart under fasting. Together, our work demonstrated that the tissue redox indices obtained from the redox scanning technique may provide useful information about tissue metabolism and physiology status in normal and diseased tissues. The Chance redox scanner and other redox imaging techniques may have wide-ranging potential applications in many fields, such as cancer, diabetes, developmental process, mitochondrial diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N Xu
- Department of Radiology, Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lin Z Li
- Department of Radiology, Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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XU HEN, ZHOU RONG, MOON LILY, FENG MIN, LI LINZ. 3D IMAGING OF THE MITOCHONDRIAL REDOX STATE OF RAT HEARTS UNDER NORMAL AND FASTING CONDITIONS. JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE OPTICAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2014; 7:1350045. [PMID: 24917891 PMCID: PMC4048726 DOI: 10.1142/s1793545813500454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The heart requires continuous ATP availability that is generated in the mitochondria. Although studies using the cell culture and perfused organ models have been carried out to investigate the biochemistry in the mitochondria in response to a change in substrate supply, mitochondrial bioenergetics of heart under normal feed or fasting conditions has not been studied at the tissue level with a sub-millimeter spatial resolution either in vivo or ex vivo. Oxidation of many food-derived metabolites to generate ATP in the mitochondria is realized through the NADH/NAD+ couple acting as a central electron carrier. We employed the Chance redox scanner - the low-temperature fluorescence scanner to image the three-dimensional (3D) spatial distribution of the mitochondrial redox states in heart tissues of rats under normal feeding or an overnight starvation for 14.5 h. Multiple consecutive sections of each heart were imaged to map three redox indices, i.e., NADH, oxidized flavoproteins (Fp, including flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)) and the redox ratio NADH/Fp. The imaging results revealed the micro-heterogeneity and the spatial distribution of these redox indices. The quantitative analysis showed that in the fasted hearts the standard deviation of both NADH and Fp, i.e., SD_NADH and SD_Fp, significantly decreased with a p value of 0.032 and 0.045, respectively, indicating that the hearts become relatively more homogeneous after fasting. The fasted hearts contained 28.6% less NADH (p = 0.038). No significant change in Fp was found (p = 0.4). The NADH/Fp ratio decreased with a marginal p value (0.076). The decreased NADH in the fasted hearts is consistent with the cardiac cells' reliance of fatty acids consumption for energy metabolism when glucose becomes scarce. The experimental observation of NADH decrease induced by dietary restriction in the heart at tissue level has not been reported to our best knowledge. The Chance redox scanner demonstrated the feasibility of 3D imaging of the mitochondrial redox state in the heart and provides a useful tool to study heart metabolism and function under normal, dietary-change and pathological conditions at tissue level.
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Affiliation(s)
- HE N. XU
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - RONG ZHOU
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - LILY MOON
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - MIN FENG
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - LIN Z. LI
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Xu HN, Kadlececk S, Profka H, Glickson JD, Rizi R, Li LZ. Is higher lactate an indicator of tumor metastatic risk? A pilot MRS study using hyperpolarized (13)C-pyruvate. Acad Radiol 2014; 21:223-31. [PMID: 24439336 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Cancer cells generate more lactate than normal cells under both aerobic and hypoxic conditions-exhibiting the so-called Warburg effect. However, the relationship between the Warburg effect and tumor metastatic potential remains controversial. We intend to investigate whether the higher lactate reflects higher tumor metastatic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used hyperpolarized (13)C-pyruvate magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to compare lactate (13)C-labeling in vivo in mouse xenografts of the highly metastatic (MDA-MB-231) and the relatively indolent (MCF-7) human breast cancer cell lines. We obtained the kinetic parameters of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-catalyzed reaction by three methods of data analysis including the differential equation fit, q-ratio fit, and ratio fit methods. RESULTS Consistent results from the three methods showed that the highly metastatic tumors exhibited a smaller apparent forward rate constant (k(+) = 0.060 ± 0.004 s(-1)) than the relatively indolent tumors (k(+) = 0.097 ± 0.013 s(-1)). The ratio fit generated the greatest statistical significance for the difference (P = .02). No significant difference in the reverse rate constant was found between the two tumor lines. CONCLUSIONS The result indicates that the less metastatic breast tumors may produce more lactate than the highly metastatic ones from the injected (13)C-pyruvate and supports the notion that breast tumor metastatic risk is not necessarily associated with the high levels of glycolysis and lactate production. More studies are needed to confirm whether and how much the measured apparent rate constants are affected by the membrane transporter activity and whether they are primarily determined by the LDH activity.
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Xu HN, Zheng G, Tchou J, Nioka S, Li LZ. Characterizing the metabolic heterogeneity in human breast cancer xenografts by 3D high resolution fluorescence imaging. SPRINGERPLUS 2013; 2:73. [PMID: 23543813 PMCID: PMC3610024 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that tumor mitochondrial redox state and its heterogeneity distinguished between the aggressive and the indolent breast cancer xenografts, suggesting novel metabolic indices as biomarkers for predicting tumor metastatic potential. Additionally, we reported that the identified redox biomarkers successfully differentiated between the normal breast tissue and the cancerous breast tissue from breast cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to further characterize intratumor heterogeneity by its distribution of mitochondrial redox state and glucose uptake pattern in tumor xenografts and to further investigate the metabolic heterogeneity of the clinical biopsy samples. We employed the Chance redox scanner, a multi-section cryogenic fluorescence imager to simultaneously image the intratumor heterogeneity in the mitochondrial redox state and glucose uptake at a high spatial resolution (down to 50 × 50 × 20 μm(3)). The mitochondrial redox state was determined by the ratio of the intrinsic fluorescence signals from reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins (Fp including FAD, i.e., flavin adenine dinucleotide), and the glucose uptake was measured using a near-infrared fluorescent glucose-analogue, pyropheophorbide 2-deoxyglucosamide (Pyro-2DG). Significant inter- and intratumor metabolic heterogeneity were observed from our imaging data on various types of breast cancer xenografts. The patterns and degrees of heterogeneity of mitochondrial redox state appeared to relate to tumor size and metastatic potential. The glucose uptake was also heterogeneous and generally higher in tumor peripheries. The oxidized and reduced regions mostly corresponded with the lower and the higher pyro-2DG uptake, respectively. However, there were some regions where the glucose uptake did not correlate with the redox indices. Pronounced glucose uptake and high NADH were observed in certain localized areas within the tumor necrotic regions, indicative of the existence of viable cells which was also supported by the H&E staining. Significant heterogeneity of the redox state indices was also observed in clinical specimens of breast cancer patients. As abnormal metabolism including the Warburg effect (high glycolysis) plays important roles in cancer transformation and progression, our observations that reveal the 3D intratumor metabolic heterogeneity as a characteristic feature of breast tumors are of great importance for understanding cancer biology and developing diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N Xu
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gang Zheng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Julia Tchou
- Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
- Rena Rowan Breast Center, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shoko Nioka
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lin Z Li
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
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XU HEN, FENG MIN, MOON LILY, DOLLOFF NATHAN, EL-DEIRY WAFIK, LI LINZ. REDOX IMAGING OF THE p53-DEPENDENT MITOCHONDRIAL REDOX STATE IN COLON CANCER EX VIVO. JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE OPTICAL HEALTH SCIENCES 2013; 6:1350016. [PMID: 26207147 PMCID: PMC4508871 DOI: 10.1142/s1793545813500168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial redox state and its heterogeneity of colon cancer at tissue level have not been previously reported. Nor has how p53 regulates mitochondrial respiration been measured at (deep) tissue level, presumably due to the unavailability of the technology that has sufficient spatial resolution and tissue penetration depth. Our prior work demonstrated that the mitochondrial redox state and its intratumor heterogeneity is associated with cancer aggressiveness in human melanoma and breast cancer in mouse models, with the more metastatic tumors exhibiting localized regions of more oxidized redox state. Using the Chance redox scanner with an in-plane spatial resolution of 200 μm, we imaged the mitochondrial redox state of the wild-type p53 colon tumors (HCT116 p53 wt) and the p53-deleted colon tumors (HCT116 p53-/-) by collecting the fluorescence signals of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and oxidized flavoproteins [Fp, including flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)] from the mouse xenografts snap-frozen at low temperature. Our results show that: (1) both tumor lines have significant degree of intratumor heterogeneity of the redox state, typically exhibiting a distinct bi-modal distribution that either correlates with the spatial core-rim pattern or the "hot/cold" oxidation-reduction patches; (2) the p53-/- group is significantly more heterogeneous in the mitochondrial redox state and has a more oxidized tumor core compared to the p53 wt group when the tumor sizes of the two groups are matched; (3) the tumor size dependence of the redox indices (such as Fp and Fp redox ratio) is significant in the p53-/- group with the larger ones being more oxidized and more heterogeneous in their redox state, particularly more oxidized in the tumor central regions; (4) the H&E staining images of tumor sections grossly correlate with the redox images. The present work is the first to reveal at the submillimeter scale the intratumor heterogeneity pattern of the mitochondrial redox state in colon cancer and the first to indicate that at tissue level the mitochondrial redox state is p53 dependent. The findings should assist in our understanding on colon cancer pathology and developing new imaging biomarkers for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- HE N. XU
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - MIN FENG
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - LILY MOON
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - NATHAN DOLLOFF
- Department of Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - WAFIK EL-DEIRY
- Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - LIN Z. LI
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Britton Chance Laboratory of Redox Imaging, Johnson Research Foundation, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Hematology/Oncology, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Xu HN, Tchou J, Li LZ. Redox imaging of human breast cancer core biopsies: a preliminary investigation. Acad Radiol 2013; 20:764-8. [PMID: 23664401 PMCID: PMC3791620 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The clinical gold standard for breast cancer diagnosis relies on invasive biopsies followed by tissue fixation for subsequent histopathological examination. This process renders the specimens to be much less suitable for biochemical or metabolic analysis. Our previous metabolic imaging data in tumor xenograft models showed that the mitochondrial redox state is a sensitive indicator that can distinguish between normal and tumor tissue. In this study, we investigated whether the same redox imaging technique can be applied to core biopsy samples of human breast cancer and whether the mitochondrial redox state may serve as a novel metabolic biomarker that may be used to distinguish between normal and malignant breast tissue in the clinic. Our long-term objective was to identify novel metabolic imaging biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Both normal and cancerous tissue specimens were collected from the cancer-bearing breasts of three patients shortly after surgical resection. Core biopsies and tissue blocks were obtained from tumor and normal adjacent breast tissue, respectively. All specimens were snap-frozen with liquid nitrogen, embedded in chilled mounting medium with flavin adenine dinucleotide and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reference standards adjacently placed, and scanned using the Chance redox scanner (ie, cryogenic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/oxidized flavoprotein fluorescence imager). RESULTS Our preliminary data showed cancerous tissues had up to 10-fold higher oxidized flavoprotein signals and had elevated oxidized redox state compared to the normal tissues from the same patient. A high degree of tumor tissue heterogeneity in the redox indices was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our finding suggests that the identified redox imaging indices could differentiate between cancer and noncancer breast tissues without subjecting tissues to fixatives. We propose that this novel redox scanning procedure may assist in tissue diagnosis in freshly procured biopsy samples before tissue fixation.
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Affiliation(s)
- He N Xu
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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