Noninvasive Molecular Neuroimaging Using Reporter Genes: Part II, Experimental, Current, and Future Applications

Abstract

SUMMARY:In this second article, we review the various strategies and applications that make use of reporter genes for molecular imaging of the brain in living subjects. These approaches are emerging as valuable tools for monitoring gene expression in diverse applications in laboratory animals, including the study of gene-targeted and trafficking cells, gene therapies, transgenic animals, and more complex molecular interactions within the central nervous system. Further development of more sensitive and selective reporters, combined with improvements in detection technology, will consolidate the position of in vivo reporter gene imaging as a versatile technique for greater understanding of intracellular biologic processes and underlying molecular neuropathology and will potentially establish a future role in the clinical management of patients with neurologic diseases.

Multifunctional Probes for Multimodality Imaging of Cancer

“…This strategy is also very useful to determine the patterns of gene expression that encode cancer biological processes, provided the fusion protein could retain activity of each individual imaging reporter protein. 4,[32][33][34] It opens the possibility of merging PET, MRI and optical imaging techniques for applications in a single living subject. Up to now, there have been many imaging reporter genes to be used in the field of reporter gene imaging (Fig.…”

Introduction to Cancer Biology

“…These emitted rays are detected using scintigraphic equipment, which converts the energy of the gamma rays into visible light. [35][36][37] Alternatively, gamma-emitting isotopes, such as 99m Tc, 111 In, 123 I, and 131 I, can be used for imaging, but they require different equipment, namely gamma cameras, which can generate tomographic information by rotating around the subject. This modality is known as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).…”

MRI Reporter Genes for Cancer Research

“…The active division of those cells will not dilute the genetic label and new insights may be garnered about tumor cell motility. 75 Another important aspect of the future of reporter gene imaging lies in the development of multimodality probes in order to utilize the advantages and overcome the shortcomings of the individual imaging modalities. 7,75 MRI excels at imaging deep tissue at reasonably high resolution and provides intrinsic soft tissue contrast, but suffers from modest sensitivity.…”