RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Noninvasive Imaging for Monitoring of Viable Cancer Cells Using a Dual-Imaging Reporter Gene
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JO J Nucl Med
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 2109
OP 2115
VO 45
IS 12
A1 Shin, Jae Hoon
A1 Chung, June-Key
A1 Kang, Joo Hyun
A1 Lee, Yong Jin
A1 Kim, Kwang Il
A1 So, Young
A1 Jeong, Jae Min
A1 Lee, Dong Soo
A1 Lee, Myung Chul
YR 2004
UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/45/12/2109.abstract
AB Molecular imaging methods have been used recently to investigate biologic events. To develop a molecular imaging method suitable for monitoring viable cancer cells, we made a dual-imaging reporter gene system and examined the correlation between cancer cell number and signals from 2 reporter genes, sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and luciferase. Methods: NIS and luciferase genes were linked with the internal ribosomal entry site and transfected into SK-HEP1 cells to generate SK-HEP1-NL cells. 125I uptake assays, luciferase assays, and scintigraphic and luminescence imaging were performed on SK-HEP1-NL cells. After treating with doxorubicin, cell counting, assays, and imaging were performed. SK-HEP1 and SK-HEP1-NL cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the flanks of nude mice. After incubation, scintigraphic and luminescence images were acquired and quantitated. Results: The results of radioiodide uptake, luciferase assay, and scintigraphic and luminescence imaging in vitro correlated well with viable cell numbers. Upon increasing the concentration of doxorubicin, cell numbers decreased, and this correlated with a decrease in radioactivity and luminescence intensity. The radioactivity from in vivo scintigraphic images and the intensity from luminescence images were also found to be proportional to the tumor weight. Conclusion: The developed dual-reporter imaging method using NIS and the luciferase gene reflected viable cancer cell numbers and could detect changes in cell number after doxorubicin treatment.