Non-invasive in vivo imaging is emerging as an important tool for basic and preclinical research. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence dyes and probes have been used for non-invasive optical imaging since in the NIR region absorption and auto fluorescence by body tissue is low, thus permitting for greater penetration depths and high signal to noise ratio. Currently, cell tracking systems rely on labeling cells prior to injection or administering probes targeting the cell population of choice right before imaging. These approaches do not enable imaging of tumor growth, as the cell label is diluted during cell division. In this study we have developed cell lines stably expressing the far-red fluorescence protein E2-Crimson, thus enabling continuous detection and quantification of tumor growth. In a xenograft rat model, we show that E2-Crimson expressing cells can be detected over a 5 week period using optical imaging. Fluorescence intensities correlated with tumor volume and weight and allowed for a reliable and robust quantification of the entire tumor compartment. Using a novel injection regime, the seeding of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in the lungs in a rat model was established and verified.
Pubmed ID: 26186005 RIS Download
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Cell line HeLa is a Cancer cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293 is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsCell line MDA-MB-231 is a Cancer cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name Crl:NU(NCr)-Foxn1nu from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets CD31
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Ki67 antibody - Proliferation Marker
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