Optical Molecular Imaging Technology Research Articles

Advances in optical molecular imaging for neural visualization.

Iatrogenic nerve injury is a significant complication in surgery, which can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Currently, the main clinical neuroimaging methods, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and high-resolution ultrasonography, do not offer precise real-time positioning images for doctors during surgery. The clinical application of optical molecular imaging technology has led to the emergence of new concepts such as optical molecular imaging surgery, targeted surgery, and molecular-guided surgery. These advancements have made it possible to directly visualize surgical target areas, thereby providing a novel method for real-time identification of nerves during surgery planning. Unlike traditional white light imaging, optical molecular imaging technology enables precise positioning and identifies the cation of intraoperative nerves through the presentation of color images. Although a large number of experiments and data support its development, there are few reports on its actual clinical application. This paper summarizes the research results of optical molecular imaging technology and its ability to realize neural visualization. Additionally, it discusses the challenges neural visualization recognition faces and future development opportunities.

Optical Imaging of Epigenetic Modifications in Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that abnormal epigenetic modifications are strongly related to cancer initiation. Thus, sensitive and specific detection of epigenetic modifications could markedly improve biological investigations and cancer precision medicine. A rapid development of molecular imaging approaches for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer has been observed during the past few years. Various biomarkers unique to epigenetic modifications and targeted imaging probes have been characterized and used to discriminate cancer from healthy tissues, as well as evaluate therapeutic responses. In this study, we summarize the latest studies associated with optical molecular imaging of epigenetic modification targets, such as those involving DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA regulation, and chromosome remodeling, and further review their clinical application on cancer diagnosis and treatment. Lastly, we further propose the future directions for precision imaging of epigenetic modification in cancer. Supported by promising clinical and preclinical studies associated with optical molecular imaging technology and epigenetic drugs, the central role of epigenetics in cancer should be increasingly recognized and accepted.

A deep unsupervised clustering-based post-processing framework for high-fidelity Cerenkov luminescence tomography

Cerenkov Luminescence Tomography (CLT) is a promising optical molecular imaging technology. It involves the three-dimensional reconstruction of the distribution of radionuclide probes inside a single object to indicate a tumor's localization and distribution. However, reconstruction using CLT suffers from severe ill-posedness, resulting in numerous artifacts within the reconstructed images. These artifacts influence the visual effect and may misguide the medical professional (diagnostician), resulting in a wrong diagnosis. Here, we proposed a deep unsupervised clustering-based post-processing framework to eliminate artifacts and facilitate high-fidelity CLT. First, an initial reconstructed image was obtained by a specific reconstruction method. Second, voxel data were generated based on the initial reconstructed result. Third, these voxels were divided into three groups, and only the group with the highest mean intensity was chosen as the final reconstructed result. A group of numerical simulation and in vivo mouse-based experiments were conducted to assess the presented framework's feasibility and potential. The results indicated that the proposed framework could reduce the number of artifacts effectively. The reconstructed image's shape and distribution were more similar to the actual light source than those obtained without the proposed framework.

Transferrin receptor 1 targeted optical imaging for identifying glioma margin in mouse models

Optical molecular imaging technology that indiscriminately detects intracranial glioblastoma (GBM) can help neurosurgeons effectively remove tumor masses. Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR 1) is a diagnostic and therapeutic target in GBM. A TfR 1-targeted peptide, CRTIGPSVC (CRT), was shown to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and accumulate at high levels in GBM tissues. In this study, we synthesized a TfR 1-targeted near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) probe, Cy5-CRT, for identifying the GBM tissue margin in mouse models. We initially confirmed the overexpression of TfR 1 in GBM and the tumor-specific homing ability of Cy5-CRT in subcutaneous and orthotopic GBM mouse models. We then examined the feasibility of Cy5-CRT for identifying the tumor margin in orthotopic GBM xenografts. Finally, we compared Cy5-CRT with the clinically used fluorescein sodium in identifying tumor margins. Cy5-CRT specifically accumulated in GBM tissues and detected the tumor burden with exceptional contrast in mice with orthotopic GBM, enabling fluorescence-guided GBM resection under NIRF live imaging conditions. Importantly, Cy5-CRT recognized the GBM tissue margin more clearly than fluorescein sodium. The TfR 1-targeted optical probe Cy5-CRT specifically differentiates tumor tissues from the surrounding normal brain with high sensitivity, indicating its potential application for the precise surgical removal of GBM.

Illuminate hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery using optical molecular imaging methods

Since the concept of molecular imaging was put forward in 1999, optical molecular imaging techniques have been widely applied in the field of biomedical and clinical research. Its unique application value is especially shown in hepatobiliary surgery, such as in liver tumor imaging, anatomical liver resection, liver transplant angiography, cholangiography, and bile or pancreatic leakage prevention. Optical molecular imaging techniquelights uptargeted areas in surgical operations and provides convenience in carrying out precision operation. This paper reviewed the advantages of optical molecular imaging technology in clinical research and discussed its limitations in translational surgery, and put forward possible directions in improvement for the future. Key words: Optical molecular imaging; Liver surgery; Intraoperative fluorescence image-guided surgery; Indocyanine green

Application of molecular imaging technology in evaluating the inhibiting effect of apigenin in vivo on subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibiting effect of apigenin on liver cancer in vivo based on the optical molecular imaging method. Subcutaneous liver tumor models were established using respective 1 × 106 firefly luciferase (fLuc) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2-fLuc and HepG2-GFP cells) in 20 BALB/c nude mice which were randomly divided into two groups, 10 in each group. After the tumor cells were implanted 15 days, apigenin was administered through intraperitoneal injection in group B, the other ten mice as control group A. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) were carried out for the follow-up of subcutaneous tumor model. As time goes on, intensity and distribution of bioluminescence and fluorescence of tumours increased gradually with the growth of tumours little by little. The whole process of observation was in accordance with known activities of HCC in the human liver. The tumor volume and tumor weight were significant lower in group B than in group A (p < 0.05), Subcutaneous tumours in the apigenin treatment group B based on BLI and FMI were significantly inhibited compared to the control group A (p < 0.05). Apigenin could be expected as a new drug to treat hepatocellular carcinoma. Optical molecular imaging technology enabled the non-invasive and reliable assessment of anti-tumor drug efficacy on liver cancer.

Method for In-Vivo Fluorescence Imaging Contrast Enhancement through Light Modulation.

Early diagnosis is one of the most important factors that increase the therapeutic potential of the disease. Diagnoses conducted by conventional equipment are expensive, time-consuming, burdensome to patients, and do not have high success rates. Diagnostic methods have also been investigated using nanoparticles. However, there have been no significant improvements in the early diagnosis of disease. The diagnosis technique proposed in this paper consumes less time, is more cost-effective, and more accurate. It uses a new concept-a low-intensity fluorescence molecular imaging system with a lock-in technique. This study applied the lock-in technique to basic research in contrast enhancement and optimization. This improved fluorescence distribution analysis, resulting in increased resolution of optical molecular imaging for early diagnosis of disease. An experimental lock-in fluorescence imaging system, which used a variety of fluorescent dyes, achieved signal amplification 100 times greater than that of a conventional fluorescence imaging system. The results of this study demonstrate that the lock-in technique could significantly improve optical molecular imaging technology, making it possible to achieve early diagnosis of disease.

New Researches and Application Progress of Commonly Used Optical Molecular Imaging Technology

Optical molecular imaging, a new medical imaging technique, is developed based on genomics, proteomics and modern optical imaging technique, characterized by non-invasiveness, non-radiativity, high cost-effectiveness, high resolution, high sensitivity and simple operation in comparison with conventional imaging modalities. Currently, it has become one of the most widely used molecular imaging techniques and has been applied in gene expression regulation and activity detection, biological development and cytological detection, drug research and development, pathogenesis research, pharmaceutical effect evaluation and therapeutic effect evaluation, and so forth, This paper will review the latest researches and application progresses of commonly used optical molecular imaging techniques such as bioluminescence imaging and fluorescence molecular imaging.

Optical molecular imaging technology in genetically engineered mouse models

Optical molecular imaging technology has been rapidly developed to non-invasively,quantitatively and dynamically monitor the in vivo biological processes in real time.It is widely used in various fields of biomedicine and life sciences with advantages like easy operation,real-time study,high sensitivity and low cost image equipment.In recent years,the generation of transgenic animal models in combination with optical molecular imaging reporter genes has greatly facilitated the development of the imaging technology and expanded its application.In this article,we review the research progress by optical molecular imaging in genetically engineered mice (GEM) for 1) investigating tumorigenesis,growth or metastasis,2) monitoring cell cycle,cell proliferation,apoptosis or angiogenesis,3) evaluating the inflammation process and 4) providing a modality for pharmaceutical development. Key words: Optical molecular imaging technology; Mice; transgenic; Animals; laborator

In Vivo Quantitative Reconstruction Studies of Bioluminescence Tomography: Effects of Peak-Wavelength Shift and Model Deviation

Bioluminescence tomography is a novel optical molecular imaging technology. The corresponding system, theory, and algorithmic frames have been set up. In the present study, we concentrated on the analysis of quantitative reconstruction deviation from peak-wavelength shift of luminescent source and the deviation of heterogeneous mouse model. The findings suggest that the reconstruction results are significantly affected by the peak-wavelength shift and deviation of anatomical structure animal models. Furthermore, the model deviations exhibit much more influence than the wavelength shift on the reconstruction results.

Optical molecular imaging in drug discovery and clinical development

Recently, the drug discovery process has greatly benefited from a wealth of novel druggable targets following the sequencing of the human genome and the parallel development of combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening technologies. The large number of drug candidates generated by this combined approach requires an evolution and refinement of in vivo measurement methodologies and animal models to cope with this flux of novel compounds. At the same time, drug developers are looking for translational biomarkers that can facilitate the clinical evaluation of the most promising molecules. Imaging technologies are particularly well suited to help address these various challenges. The authors focus the interest of this review on optical molecular imaging technology as well as reviewing how this technology is being integrated in various therapeutic areas, and how it has started to impact the preclinical drug discovery process. Finally, the potential clinical applications of optical molecular imaging are discussed.