Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of human estrogen receptor alpha ligand binding domain (hERL) as a reporter gene in combination with positron emission tomography (PET) probe, 16alpha-[18F]fluoro-17beta-estradiol (FES), in an adenovirus gene delivery system.
Methods: An adenoviral vector (test), carrying hERL gene and a model angiogenesis therapeutic gene (human thymidine phosphorylase, hTP) was constructed along with a control vector. In vitro radioligand binding and expression studies were performed on various cell lines. The control and test viruses were injected into contralateral adductor muscles of a rat followed by FES-PET imaging and immunohistochemical staining of resected muscle samples.
Results: A high FES uptake accompanied by hERL and hTP expression was obtained both in vitro and in vivo by the test adenovirus infection.
Conclusion: Considering the versatile tissue permeability of the probe, highly efficient gene expression, and safeness for human use, we expect our reporter gene system to have favorable characteristics for clinical application.