Optical in vivo imaging detection of preclinical models of gut tumors through the expression of integrin αVβ3

Abstract

Optical imaging and Fluorescent Molecular Tomography (FMT) are becoming increasingly important for the study of different preclinical models of cancer, providing a non-invasive method for the evaluation of tumor progression in a relatively simple and fast way. Intestinal tumors, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC), represent a major cause of cancer-related death in Western countries: despite the presence of a number of preclinical models of intestinal carcinogenesis, there is a paucity of information about the possibility to detect intestinal tumors using fluorescent probes and optical in vivo imaging. Herein, we identify the detection of integrin αvβ3 by FMT and optical imaging as an effective approach to assess the occurrence and progression of intestinal carcinogenesis in genetic and chemically-induced mouse models. For this purpose, a commercially available probe (IntegriSense), recognizing integrin αvβ3, was injected in APC+/min mice bearing small intestinal adenomas or CRC: FMT analysis allowed a specific tumor detection, further confirmed by subsequent ex vivo imaging or conventional histology. In addition, IntegriSense detection by FMT allowed the longitudinal monitoring of tumor growth. Taken together, our data indicate the possibility to use integrin αvβ3 for the visualization of intestinal tumors in preclinical models.

Hyperintensity of integrin‐targeted fluorescence agent IntegriSense750 accurately predicts flap necrosis compared to Indocyanine green

“…There are very few studies that have used IntegriSense in mouse models, and most of the studies have used IntegriSense primarily for tumor detection 21 and as molecular imaging biomarkers for atherosclerosis 22 . Tamplenizza et al used IntegriSense680 to detect angiogenesis in a mouse model of scaffold implantation.…”

Exploring the Usability of α-MSH-SM-Liposome as an Imaging Agent to Study Biodegradable Bone Implants In Vivo

“…The successful initial stages of acute inflammation are essential for bone healing [ 29 ]. Optical imaging has been used in preclinical in vivo studies to study implant-related inflammation using bioluminescence in genetic pre-clinical models [ 30 , 31 ]; other studies have assessed either non-invasive, indirect parameters such as animal weight loss or visual inflammation, or direct invasive procedure such as biopsy, for histological examination [ 32 ]. Some in vivo markers monitor disease-related inflammatory activity such as collagen-induced arthritis or biomaterial-associated infection in murine models [ 33 , 34 ].…”

Nanobodies as Versatile Tool for Multiscale Imaging Modalities

“…Non-invasive in vivo imaging technologies, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), optical imaging (OI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound provide spatial and temporal information about the anatomical localization and metabolic status of biological processes in living animals: however, they lack the possibility to analyze events at cellular or sub-cellular resolution, a limitation that can be solved through the use of intravital or ex vivo microscopy technologies. For this reason, the use of multiple imaging modalities has become preferred [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”