scholarly journals Novel insights on imaging sex hormone-dependent tumourigenesis in vivo

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. R41-R51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balaji Ramachandran ◽  
Alessia Stell ◽  
Luca Maravigna ◽  
Adriana Maggi ◽  
Paolo Ciana

Sex hormones modulate proliferation, apoptosis, migration, metastasis and angiogenesis in cancer cells influencing tumourigenesis from the early hyperplastic growth till the end-stage metastasis. Although decades of studies have detailed these effects at the level of molecular pathways, where and when these actions are needed for the growth and progression of hormone-dependent neoplasia is poorly elucidated. Investigation of the hormone influences in carcinogenesis in the spatio-temporal dimension is expected to unravel critical steps in tumour progression and in the onset of resistance to hormone therapies. Non-invasive in vivo imaging represents a powerful tool to follow in time hormone signalling in the whole body during tumour development. This review summarizes the tools currently available to follow hormone action in living organisms.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Harlepp ◽  
Fabrice Thalmann ◽  
Gautier Follain ◽  
Jacky G. Goetz

AbstractForce sensing and generation at the tissular and cellular scale is central to many biological events. There is a growing interest in modern cell biology for methods enabling force measurements in vivo. Optical trapping allows non-invasive probing of pico-Newton forces and thus emerged as a promising mean for assessing biomechanics in vivo. Nevertheless, the main obstacles rely in the accurate determination of the trap stiffness in heterogeneous living organisms, at any position where the trap is used. A proper calibration of the trap stiffness is thus required for performing accurate and reliable force measurements in vivo. Here, we introduce a method that overcomes these difficulties by accurately measuring hemodynamic profiles in order to calibrate the trap stiffness. Doing so, and using numerical methods to assess the accuracy of the experimental data, we measured flow profiles and drag forces imposed to trapped red blood cells of living zebrafish embryos. Using treatments enabling blood flow tuning, we demonstrated that such method is powerful in measuring hemodynamic forces in vivo with accuracy and confidence. Altogether, this study demonstrates the power of optical tweezing in measuring low range hemodynamic forces in vivo and offers an unprecedented tool in both cell and developmental biology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1302-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Christensen ◽  
Lotte K. Kristensen ◽  
Maria Z. Alfsen ◽  
Carsten H. Nielsen ◽  
Andreas Kjaer

Abstract Purpose Despite remarkable clinical responses and prolonged survival across several cancers, not all patients benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade. Accordingly, assessment of tumour PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) is increasingly applied to guide patient selection, therapeutic monitoring, and improve overall response rates. However, tissue-based methods are invasive and prone to sampling error. We therefore developed a PET radiotracer to specifically detect PD-L1 expression in a non-invasive manner, which could be of diagnostic and predictive value. Methods Anti-PD-L1 (clone 6E11, Genentech) was site-specifically conjugated with DIBO-DFO and radiolabelled with 89Zr (89Zr-DFO-6E11). 89Zr-DFO-6E11 was optimized in vivo by longitudinal PET imaging and dose escalation with excess unlabelled 6E11 in HCC827 tumour-bearing mice. Specificity of 89Zr-DFO-6E11 was evaluated in NSCLC xenografts and syngeneic tumour models with different levels of PD-L1 expression. In vivo imaging data was supported by ex vivo biodistribution, flow cytometry, and IHC. To evaluate the predictive value of 89Zr-DFO-6E11 PET imaging, CT26 tumour-bearing mice were subjected to external radiation therapy (XRT) in combination with PD-L1 blockade. Results 89Zr-DFO-6E11 was successfully labelled with a high radiochemical purity. The HCC827 tumours and lymphoid tissue were identified by 89Zr-DFO-6E11 PET imaging, and co-injection with 6E11 increased the relative tumour uptake and decreased the splenic uptake. 89Zr-DFO-6E11 detected the differences in PD-L1 expression among tumour models as evaluated by ex vivo methods. 89Zr-DFO-6E11 quantified the increase in PD-L1 expression in tumours and spleens of irradiated mice. XRT and anti-PD-L1 therapy effectively inhibited tumour growth in CT26 tumour-bearing mice (p < 0.01), and the maximum 89Zr-DFO-6E11 tumour-to-muscle ratio correlated with response to therapy (p = 0.0252). Conclusion PET imaging with 89Zr-DFO-6E11 is an attractive approach for specific, non-invasive, whole-body visualization of PD-L1 expression. PD-L1 expression can be modulated by radiotherapy regimens and 89Zr-DFO-6E11 PET is able to monitor these changes and predict the response to therapy in an immunocompetent tumour model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Leslie ◽  
Stuart M. Robinson ◽  
Fiona Oakley ◽  
Saimir Luli

AbstractAdvances in fluorescence imaging coupled with the generation of near infrared probes have significantly improved the capabilities of non-invasive, real-time imaging in whole animals. In this study we were able to overcome a limitation of in vivo fluorescence imaging and have established a dual cell tracking method where two different cell types can be monitored according to the spectral signature of the cell labelling fluorophore. Using a mouse model of acute liver injury, we have characterised the in vivo migration patterns of wild type and transgenic neutrophils with impaired chemotaxis. Here, we were able to demonstrate that IVIS provides a sensitive multiplexing technology to differentiate two different cell populations based on the spectral signature of the cell labelling fluorophores. This spectral unmixing methodology has the potential to uncover multidimensional cellular interactions involved in many diseases such as fibrosis and cancer. In vivo spectral un-mixing provides a useful tool for monitoring multiple biological process in real-time in the same animal.


Author(s):  
Sylwia Ciesielska

In vitro studies are alternative for in vivo studies carried on living organisms. They involve cell populations for both normal and cancer cells. The processes inside cells might be base for defining whole body processes. Starting with fundamental unit of every living organism which is cell, we can distinguish two main types of cell death – apoptosis and necrosis. Human organism is built from 1013–1014 cells of 300 different cell types. During cell division new cells are created and their number is strictly controlled in programmed cell death – apoptosis. Mainly old or damaged cells commit suicide and are removed from organism. This is natural phenomenon and every change in mechanisms of proliferation or apoptosis cause changes and damage in whole organism. Homeostasis in organism depends on correct action of death and survival system. The patterns of equilibrium in nature relies on similar regulation profiles, in which it is similar to death of singular organisms in population or species. It implicates death as natural phenomenon maintaining balance in the world.


1989 ◽  
Vol 264 (3) ◽  
pp. 829-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Daugherty ◽  
N N Becker ◽  
L A Scherrer ◽  
B E Sobel ◽  
J J H Ackerman ◽  
...  

Protein residualizing labels facilitate localization of tissue sites of protein catabolism and the quantification of protein accumulation because of their prolonged intracellular retention of protein accumulation because of their prolonged intracellular retention times. Radioiodinated residualizing labels have been used to define the metabolism of a wide variety of proteins, but this has necessitated destructive analysis. Here we describe the implementation and validation of a novel 19F-containing residualizing label for protein, NN-dilactitol-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine (DLBA), that permits the non-invasive assessment of protein accumulation and catabolism by n.m.r. spectroscopy in vivo. DLBA comprises a reporter molecule containing six equivalent 19F atoms. 19F is strongly n.m.r.-active, has 100% natural abundance, and is present in minimal background concentrations in soft tissues. We validated the use of DLBA as a protein-labelling compound by coupling to asialofetuin (ASF), a protein that is recognized exclusively by hepatic tissue via a saturable receptor-mediated process. Coupling of DLBA to ASF by reductive amination had no effect on the physiological receptor-mediated uptake of the protein in rat liver in vivo. The 19F-n.m.r. spectrum of DLBA exhibited a single peak that was subject to a small chemical-shift change and broadening after coupling to ASF. Pronase digestion of DLBA-ASF was performed to simulate intracellular degradation products, and resulted in a narrower set of resonances, with chemical shifts intermediate between those of uncoupled DLBA and DLBA-ASF. Intravenous administration of DLBA-ASF to rats followed by quantification of 19F in homogenates of liver tissue indicated that the half-life of residence time of degradation products from DLBA-ASF in liver was approx. 2 days. This intracellular half-life was comparable with that described for similar residualizing labels that contain radioiodide as a reporter. Similar results for the half-life of retention were obtained non-destructively and non-invasively in situ with the use of a whole-body radio-frequency antenna to acquire sequential spectra over 80 h after intravenous administration of DLBA-ASF. Quantification of these spectra demonstrated an initial accumulation of DLBA-ASF in liver followed by an expected gradual loss of 19F-labelled degradation products. The approach developed offers promise for the sequential and longitudinal characterization of metabolism of specific proteins in individual experimental animals and ultimately in human subjects.


Separations ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atakan Arda Nalbant ◽  
Ezel Boyacı

Biological surfaces such as skin and ocular surface provide a plethora of information about the underlying biological activity of living organisms. However, they pose unique problems arising from their innate complexity, constant exposure of the surface to the surrounding elements, and the general requirement of any sampling method to be as minimally invasive as possible. Therefore, it is challenging but also rewarding to develop novel analytical tools that are suitable for in vivo and in situ sampling from biological surfaces. In this context, wearable extraction devices including passive samplers, extractive patches, and different microextraction technologies come forward as versatile, low-invasive, fast, and reliable sampling and sample preparation tools that are applicable for in vivo and in situ sampling. This review aims to address recent developments in non-invasive in vivo and in situ sampling methods from biological surfaces that introduce new ways and improve upon existing ones. Directions for the development of future technology and potential areas of applications such as clinical, bioanalytical, and doping analyses will also be discussed. These advancements include various types of passive samplers, hydrogels, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) patches/microarrays, and other wearable extraction devices used mainly in skin sampling, among other novel techniques developed for ocular surface and oral tissue/fluid sampling.


Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2747-2747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srideshikan Sargur Madabushi ◽  
Darren Zuro ◽  
Jamison Brooks ◽  
Bijender Kumar ◽  
Liliana E Parra ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive form of leukemia that results a poor survival outcome. Currently, diagnosis and prognosis are based on invasive single-point bone marrow biopsies (iliac crest). Although non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has been developed for almost all solid tumors and some hematological malignancies, there is currently no non-invasive imaging specific to AML available, representing an unmet clinical need. About 85% of AML cells express CD33, and expression levels of CD33 has been correlated with poor survival outcomes (Pollard et al., Blood (2012)), making it an ideal candidate for immuno-PET. Therefore, our primary goal is to develop anti-CD33 immuno-PET for detecting CD33+ AML. The secondary goal is to assess the feasibility of CD33 PET image-guided external beam targeted radiation delivery in combination with chemotherapy (AraC). Methods: Murine anti-human CD33 monoclonal antibody clone p67.6 was conjugated to DOTA and radiolabeled with Cu-64 for imaging studies. In vivo PET-CT imaging and bio distribution of 64Cu-DOTA-anti-CD33 in vivo was carried out in NSG mice bearing CD33+ (MV4-11, HL60) AML cells. CD33-negative MM1s cells (multiple myeloma) were used as negative control. The AML and MM bearing mice were injected with 64Cu-DOTA-anti-CD33 (100 µCi/10 µg) and serial PET imaged at 24-48 h. We developed a functional total marrow irradiation (fTMI) treatment, where mice received total marrow irradiation (TMI) (2 Gy) and boost radiation (2 Gy) to regions with increased CD33 activity, followed by 2 days of AraC (40 mg/kg) and 24h later a bone marrow transplant. Furthermore, a humanized anti-human CD33 monoclonal antibody was generated and tested for immunogenicity against CD33 in AML cell lines and patient samples for future clinical studies. Results: PET-CT imaging and biodistribution studies of 64Cu-DOTA-anti-CD33 clearly indicates a CD33+ PET signal in the femur, tibia, humerus joints, L spine and spleen in AML-bearing mice, but not in multiple myeloma-bearing mice or in cold anti-CD33-DOTA treated leukemic mice (Figure 1A and B). Our new imaging method was able to detect CD33+ AML with a favorable sensitivity (71.4%) and specificity (100%). Based on detailed whole-body 3D imaging and validated with biodistribution studies, we discovered preferential regions in the skeletal system with differential CD33 activity, indicating the spatial heterogeneity of AML. CD33+ PET intensity was observed in the following descending order: femur≥lspine>humerus>tibia (Figure 1C). Next, using the PET-CT images, we targeted these CD33-active regions using the fTMI treatment plan. We have developed a unique irradiation system which allows targeting only skeletal tissues while sparing major organs like gut, lung and liver, unlike conventional total body irradiation (TBI). This approach will also provide an opportunity to escalate doses to specific regions in the body without damaging other unintended targets. The fTMI (2 Gy TMI and 2 Gy boost) treatment plan increased the medial survival of the mice to 43 days versus that of untreated control mice (26 days) or AraC treated mice (33 days) Figure(1D). Since the preclinical study was carried out using murine anti-CD33 antibody clone p67.6, we further tested the newly generated humanized anti-human-CD33 monoclonal antibody. This humanized antibody detects CD33 in both AML cell lines and human patient sample (Fig 1E). Conclusion: This study is the first to use an anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody for non-invasive immuno-PET-based imaging for AML detection, showing high sensitivity and specificity. This whole body imaging may be useful for AML diagnosis not only in the entire skeletal system, but also in the extramedullary organs, and for longitudinal monitoring of treatment response. Unlike conventional TBI, Image-guided fTMI along with conventional chemotherapy may result in an improved prognosis, as unintended major organs are spared from radiation. Disclosures Vallera: GT Biopharma: Consultancy, Research Funding. Stein:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Amgen Inc.: Speakers Bureau.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1151
Author(s):  
Ruth González-Gómez ◽  
Roberto A. Pazo-Cid ◽  
Luis Sarría ◽  
Miguel Ángel Morcillo ◽  
Alberto J. Schuhmacher

Diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by current imaging techniques is useful and widely used in the clinic but presents several limitations and challenges, especially in small lesions that frequently cause radiological tumors infra-staging, false-positive diagnosis of metastatic tumor recurrence, and common occult micro-metastatic disease. The revolution in cancer multi-“omics” and bioinformatics has uncovered clinically relevant alterations in PDAC that still need to be integrated into patients’ clinical management, urging the development of non-invasive imaging techniques against principal biomarkers to assess and incorporate this information into the clinical practice. “Immuno-PET” merges the high target selectivity and specificity of antibodies and engineered fragments toward a given tumor cell surface marker with the high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and quantitative capabilities of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging techniques. In this review, we detail and provide examples of the clinical limitations of current imaging techniques for diagnosing PDAC. Furthermore, we define the different components of immuno-PET and summarize the existing applications of this technique in PDAC. The development of novel immuno-PET methods will make it possible to conduct the non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of patients over time using in vivo, integrated, quantifiable, 3D, whole body immunohistochemistry working like a “virtual biopsy”.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2219
Author(s):  
Chih Kit Chung ◽  
Jomarien García-Couce ◽  
Yaima Campos ◽  
Dana Kralisch ◽  
Katja Bierau ◽  
...  

(1) Background: doxorubicin is a potent chemotherapeutic agent, but it has limitations regarding its side effects and therapy resistance. Hydrogels potentially deal with these problems, but several characterizations need to be optimized to better understand how hydrogel assisted chemotherapy works. Poloxamer 407 (P407) hydrogels were mixed with doxorubicin and physico-chemical, biological, and pharmacological characterizations were considered. (2) Methods: hydrogels were prepared by mixing P407 in PBS at 4 °C. Doxorubicin was added upon solutions became clear. Time-to-gelation, hydrogel morphology, and micelles were studied first. The effects of P407-doxorubicin were evaluated on MC-38 colon cancer cells. Furthermore, doxorubicin release was assessed and contrasted with non-invasive in vivo whole body fluorescence imaging. (3) Results: 25% P407 had favorable gelation properties with pore sizes of 30–180 µm. P407 micelles were approximately 5 nm in size. Doxorubicin was fully released in vitro from 25% P407 hydrogel within 120 h. Furthermore, P407 micelles strongly enhanced the anti-neoplastic effects of doxorubicin on MC-38 cells. In vivo fluorescence imaging revealed that hydrogels retained fluorescence signals at the injection site for 168 h. (4) Conclusions: non-invasive imaging showed how P407 gels retained drug at the injection site. Doxorubicin P407 micelles strongly enhanced the anti-tumor effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 501-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep D. Uchil ◽  
Kelsey A. Haugh ◽  
Ruoxi Pi ◽  
Walther Mothes

Viruses are causative agents for many diseases and infect all living organisms on the planet. Development of effective therapies has relied on our ability to isolate and culture viruses in vitro, allowing mechanistic studies and strategic interventions. While this reductionist approach is necessary, testing the relevance of in vitro findings often takes a very long time. New developments in imaging technologies are transforming our experimental approach where viral pathogenesis can be studied in vivo at multiple spatial and temporal resolutions. Here, we outline a vision of a top-down approach using noninvasive whole-body imaging as a guide for in-depth characterization of key tissues, physiologically relevant cell types, and pathways of spread to elucidate mechanisms of virus spread and pathogenesis. Tool development toward imaging of infectious diseases is expected to transform clinical diagnosis and treatment.


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