Abstract
.Purpose: Preclinical studies often compare micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging with histology using optical microscopy of fluorescently labeled slides. However, correlating the images is difficult because the tissues appear differently in the two modalities. It would be valuable to have a single contrast medium visible on both radiographic and optical imaging.Approach: We have explored the detectability of fluorescently labeled gold nanoparticles under micro-CT and optical projection tomography (OPT) in agarose phantoms and a murine melanoma tumor model. Murine melanoma cells were used to induce tumor growth in the right hind legs of 12 C57Bl6 mice, with the maximal tumor size of . We injected Cy3 fluorescently coated gold nanorods directly into the tumors. The mice were scanned with in vivo micro-CT (for pre- and post-contrast scans). Once euthanized, the hind leg was dissected and scanned with a higher resolution specimen micro-CT and OPT.Results: The distribution of the gold nanoparticles appeared to be contained and isolated to the tumor. Alignment of micro-CT specimen scans with the OPT scans was possible, although there was also autofluorescence of the surrounding muscle tissue.Conclusions: This study highlights the potential use of fluorescently labeled gold nanoparticles for imaging murine melanoma tumors using micro-CT and OPT.
Highlights
IntroductionIn small animal imaging for preclinical research, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is often the imaging modality of choice, due to its high-spatial resolution, excellent sensitivity to both bone and lung, relatively short scan times, and cost-effectiveness.[1]
In small animal imaging for preclinical research, micro-computed tomography is often the imaging modality of choice, due to its high-spatial resolution, excellent sensitivity to both bone and lung, relatively short scan times, and cost-effectiveness.[1]
This study highlights the potential use of fluorescently labeled gold nanoparticles for imaging murine melanoma tumors using micro-CT and optical projection tomography (OPT)
Summary
In small animal imaging for preclinical research, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is often the imaging modality of choice, due to its high-spatial resolution, excellent sensitivity to both bone and lung, relatively short scan times, and cost-effectiveness.[1]. Tumors are often highly vascular with a vascular architecture that is dysfunctional and leads to the leakage of substances from the vascular system into the surrounding tumor. This is collectively known as the enhanced permeability and retention effect.[2] Using this characteristic to our advantage, and the fact that particle sizes of 200 to 300 nm can readily extravasate into the tumor tissue, nanoparticle contrast media can be used to visualize tumors on micro-CT scans.[3,4]
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