Abstract
1076
Objectives: To develop a non-invasive combined imaging method of gamma camera and optical imaging to assess rat myoblast cell line, L6, we constructed retrovirus containing hNIS and EGFP gene, and transfected to rat myoblast cell and monitored hNIS and EGFP expression. Methods: Rat myoblast cell line, L6, was transfected with hNIS and EGFP gene using retrovirus (L6-NG). The expression of hNIS and EGFP gene was determined by RT-PCR. The uptake and efflux of I-125 were measured in the transfected and wild type cell lines. EGFP was checked by fluorescent microscopy. Each cell line was injected to 4 flank sites (L6: 1X106 or 2X106, L6-NG: 1X106 or 2X106) in nude mouse (Balb/c-nu/nu). Scintigraphic image was performed at 3h, 1day, 2day, 3day and 7days after L6 and L6-NG cell inoculation. We performed Tc-99m scintigraphy to evaluate NIS expression. Also, GFP image obtained using optical imaging system (Optix, GE Healthcare Co.). Results: The expression of hNIS and EGFP gene was confirmed by RT-PCR. In iodide uptake, L6-NG cells accumulated 241.9±2.7 pmol/mg protein at 30 min. But control cell line did not uptake iodide. In fluorescent microscopy, L6-NG cells were highly fluorescent than that of L6 cells. In iodide efflux study, 70% of radioactivity flowed out during the first 10 min. Scintigraphy showed increased uptake of Tc-99m in L6-NG than in L6 for 7 days. Also, L6-NG cells showed high signal-to-background fluorescent spots in animal body. Conclusions: These results suggest that NIS and EGFP gene has an excellent feasibility as a reporter gene, and it can be used to monitors cell traffiking for monitoring.
Research Support (if any): This work was supported by the Brain Korea 21 Project in 2007.
- Society of Nuclear Medicine, Inc.