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Ashmore-Harris C, Iafrate M, Saleem A, Fruhwirth GO. Non-invasive Reporter Gene Imaging of Cell Therapies, including T Cells and Stem Cells. Mol Ther 2020; 28:1392-1416. [PMID: 32243834 PMCID: PMC7264441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies represent a rapidly emerging class of new therapeutics. They are intended and developed for the treatment of some of the most prevalent human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and for regenerative medicine. Currently, they are largely developed without precise assessment of their in vivo distribution, efficacy, or survival either clinically or preclinically. However, it would be highly beneficial for both preclinical cell therapy development and subsequent clinical use to assess these parameters in situ to enable enhancements in efficacy, applicability, and safety. Molecular imaging can be exploited to track cells non-invasively on the whole-body level and can enable monitoring for prolonged periods in a manner compatible with rapidly expanding cell types. In this review, we explain how in vivo imaging can aid the development and clinical translation of cell-based therapeutics. We describe the underlying principles governing non-invasive in vivo long-term cell tracking in the preclinical and clinical settings, including available imaging technologies, reporter genes, and imaging agents as well as pitfalls related to experimental design. Our emphasis is on adoptively transferred T cell and stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Ashmore-Harris
- Imaging Therapy and Cancer Group, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK; Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Madeleine Iafrate
- Imaging Therapy and Cancer Group, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Adeel Saleem
- Imaging Therapy and Cancer Group, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK; Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Gilbert O Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapy and Cancer Group, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, UK.
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Iafrate M, Fruhwirth GO. How Non-invasive in vivo Cell Tracking Supports the Development and Translation of Cancer Immunotherapies. Front Physiol 2020; 11:154. [PMID: 32327996 PMCID: PMC7152671 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment regimen for cancer, and it is based on the modulation of the immune system to battle cancer. Immunotherapies can be classified as either molecular or cell-based immunotherapies, and both types have demonstrated promising results in a growing number of cancers. Indeed, several immunotherapies representing both classes are already approved for clinical use in oncology. While spectacular treatment successes have been reported, particularly for so-called immune checkpoint inhibitors and certain cell-based immunotherapies, they have also been accompanied by a variety of severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects. Furthermore, not all patients respond to immunotherapy. Hence, there is the need for more research to render these promising therapeutics more efficacious, more widely applicable, and safer to use. Whole-body in vivo imaging technologies that can interrogate cancers and/or immunotherapies are highly beneficial tools for immunotherapy development and translation to the clinic. In this review, we explain how in vivo imaging can aid the development of molecular and cell-based anti-cancer immunotherapies. We describe the principles of imaging host T-cells and adoptively transferred therapeutic T-cells as well as the value of traceable cancer cell models in immunotherapy development. Our emphasis is on in vivo cell tracking methodology, including important aspects and caveats specific to immunotherapies. We discuss a variety of associated experimental design aspects including parameters such as cell type, observation times/intervals, and detection sensitivity. The focus is on non-invasive 3D cell tracking on the whole-body level including aspects relevant for both preclinical experimentation and clinical translatability of the underlying methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapy and Cancer Group, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Krekorian M, Fruhwirth GO, Srinivas M, Figdor CG, Heskamp S, Witney TH, Aarntzen EH. Imaging of T-cells and their responses during anti-cancer immunotherapy. Theranostics 2019; 9:7924-7947. [PMID: 31656546 PMCID: PMC6814447 DOI: 10.7150/thno.37924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has proven to be an effective approach in a growing number of cancers. Despite durable clinical responses achieved with antibodies targeting immune checkpoint molecules, many patients do not respond. The common denominator for immunotherapies that have successfully been introduced in the clinic is their potential to induce or enhance infiltration of cytotoxic T-cells into the tumour. However, in clinical research the molecules, cells and processes involved in effective responses during immunotherapy remain largely obscure. Therefore, in vivo imaging technologies that interrogate T-cell responses in patients represent a powerful tool to boost further development of immunotherapy. This review comprises a comprehensive analysis of the in vivo imaging technologies that allow the characterisation of T-cell responses induced by anti-cancer immunotherapy, with emphasis on technologies that are clinically available or have high translational potential. Throughout we discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses, providing arguments for selecting the optimal imaging options for future research and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massis Krekorian
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings' College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mangala Srinivas
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carl G. Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Heskamp
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy H. Witney
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings' College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Erik H.J.G. Aarntzen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Synthesis and Bioevaluation of Iodine-131 Directly Labeled Cyclic RGD-PEGylated Gold Nanorods for Tumor-Targeted Imaging. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2017; 2017:6081724. [PMID: 29434531 PMCID: PMC5757100 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6081724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Radiolabeled gold nanoparticles play an important role in biomedical application. The aim of this study was to prepare iodine-131 (131I)-labeled gold nanorods (GNRs) conjugated with cyclic RGD and evaluate its biological characteristics for targeted imaging of integrin αvβ3-expressing tumors. Methods HS-PEG(5000)-COOH molecules were applied to replace CTAB covering the surface of bare GNRs for better biocompatibility, and c(RGDfK) peptides were conjugated onto the carboxyl terminal of GNR-PEG-COOH via EDC/NHS coupling reactions. The nanoconjugate was characterized, and 131I was directly tagged on the surface of GNRs via AuI bonds for SPECT/CT imaging. We preliminarily studied the characteristics of the probe and its feasibility for tumor-targeting SPECT/CT imaging. Results The [131I]GNR-PEG-cRGD probe was prepared in a simple and rapid manner and was stable in both PBS and fetal bovine serum. It targeted selectively and could be taken up by tumor cells mainly via integrin αvβ3-receptor-mediated endocytosis. In vivo imaging, biodistribution, and autoradiography results showed evident tumor uptake in integrin αvβ3-expressing tumors. Conclusions These promising results showed that this smart nanoprobe can be used for angiogenesis-targeted SPECT/CT imaging. Furthermore, the nanoprobe possesses a remarkable capacity for highly efficient photothermal conversion in the near-infrared region, suggesting its potential as a multifunctional theranostic agent.
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Pei Z, Zeng J, Song Y, Gao Y, Wu R, Chen Y, Li F, Li W, Zhou H, Yang Y. In vivo imaging to monitor differentiation and therapeutic effects of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in myocardial infarction. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6296. [PMID: 28740146 PMCID: PMC5524783 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06571-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we used a noninvasive multimodality imaging approach to monitor differentiation of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and recovery of cardiac function in an in vivo model of myocardial infarction (MI). We established a rat MI model by coronary artery ligation. Ninety rats were randomly assigned into four groups: sham-operated, MI model, and α-MHC-HSV1-tk-transfected or un-transfected BMSCs-treated MI model. We used 18F-Fluro-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to monitor recovery of cardiac function, and 18F-FHBG PET/CT imaging to monitor transplanted BMSCs differentiation 24 h after 18F-FDG imaging. The uptake of 18F-FDG at 3, 16, 30 and 45 days after BMSCs injection was 0.39 ± 0.03, 0.57 ± 0.05, 0.59 ± 0.04, and 0.71 ± 0.05% ID/g, respectively. Uptake of 18F-FHBG increased significantly in large areas in the BMSCs-treated group over time. Ex vivo experiments indicated that expression of the cardiomyocyte markers GATA-4 and cardiac troponin I markedly increased in the BMSCs-treated group. Additionally, immunohistochemistry revealed that HSV-tk-labelled BMSCs-derived cells were positive for cardiac troponin I. Multimodal imaging systems combining an α-MHC-HSV1-tk/18F-FHBG reporter gene and 18F-FDG metabolism imaging could be used to track differentiation of transplanted BMSCs and recovery of cardiac function in MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Pei
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China.
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Yafeng Song
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Ruimin Wu
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Yijia Chen
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Fuyan Li
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of PET Center and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
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Kit-like 18F-labeling of an estradiol derivative as a potential PET imaging agent for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5245-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Cho IK, Wang S, Mao H, Chan AWS. Genetic engineered molecular imaging probes for applications in cell therapy: emphasis on MRI approach. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING 2016; 6:234-261. [PMID: 27766183 PMCID: PMC5069277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in stem cell-based regenerative medicine, cell replacement therapy, and genome editing technologies (i.e. CRISPR-Cas 9) have sparked great interest in in vivo cell monitoring. Molecular imaging promises a unique approach to noninvasively monitor cellular and molecular phenomena, including cell survival, migration, proliferation, and even differentiation at the whole organismal level. Several imaging modalities and strategies have been explored for monitoring cell grafts in vivo. We begin this review with an introduction describing the progress in stem cell technology, with a perspective toward cell replacement therapy. The importance of molecular imaging in reporting and assessing the status of cell grafts and their relation to the local microenvironment is highlighted since the current knowledge gap is one of the major obstacles in clinical translation of stem cell therapy. Based on currently available imaging techniques, we provide a brief discussion on the pros and cons of each imaging modality used for monitoring cell grafts with particular emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the reporter gene approach. Finally, we conclude with a comprehensive discussion of future directions of applying molecular imaging in regenerative medicine to emphasize further the importance of correlating cell graft conditions and clinical outcomes to advance regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- In K Cho
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research CenterAtlanta, GA, USA
| | - Silun Wang
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hui Mao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anthony WS Chan
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research CenterAtlanta, GA, USA
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Andrzejewska A, Nowakowski A, Janowski M, Bulte JWM, Gilad AA, Walczak P, Lukomska B. Pre- and postmortem imaging of transplanted cells. Int J Nanomedicine 2015; 10:5543-59. [PMID: 26366076 PMCID: PMC4562754 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s83557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions based on the transplantation of stem and progenitor cells have garnered increasing interest. This interest is fueled by successful preclinical studies for indications in many diseases, including the cardiovascular, central nervous, and musculoskeletal system. Further progress in this field is contingent upon access to techniques that facilitate an unambiguous identification and characterization of grafted cells. Such methods are invaluable for optimization of cell delivery, improvement of cell survival, and assessment of the functional integration of grafted cells. Following is a focused overview of the currently available cell detection and tracking methodologies that covers the entire spectrum from pre- to postmortem cell identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Andrzejewska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Nowakowski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Janowski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- RusselI H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeff WM Bulte
- RusselI H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Assaf A Gilad
- RusselI H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Piotr Walczak
- RusselI H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Barbara Lukomska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Suzuki M, Kondo S, Pei Z, Maekawa A, Saito I, Kanegae Y. Preferable sites and orientations of transgene inserted in the adenovirus vector genome: The E3 site may be unfavorable for transgene position. Gene Ther 2015; 22:421-9. [PMID: 25588742 PMCID: PMC4424821 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The adenovirus vector (AdV) can carry two transgenes in its genome, the therapeutic gene and a reporter gene, for example. The E3 insertion site has often been used for the expression of the second transgene. A transgene can be inserted at six different sites/orientations: E1, E3 and E4 sites, and right and left orientations. However, the best combination of the insertion sites and orientations as for the titers and the expression levels has not sufficiently been studied. We attempted to construct 18 AdVs producing GFP or LacZ gene driven by the EF1α promoter and Cre gene driven by the α-fetoprotein promoter. The AdV containing GFP gene at E3 in the rightward orientation (GFP-E3R) was not available. The LacZ-E3R AdV showed 20-fold lower titer and 50-fold lower level of fiber mRNA than the control E1L AdV. Notably, we found four aberrantly spliced mRNAs in the LacZ-E3L/R AdVs, probably explaining their very low titers. Although the transgene expression levels in the E4R AdVs were about threefold lower than those in the E1L AdVs, their titers are comparable with that of E1L AdVs. We concluded that E1L and E4R sites/orientations are preferable for expressing the main target gene and a second gene, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Suzuki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Kondo
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Z Pei
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Maekawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - I Saito
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Kanegae
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Legacz M, Roepke K, Giersig M, Pison U. Contrast Agents and Cell Labeling Strategies for <i>in Vivo</i> Imaging. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4236/anp.2014.32007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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