Journal: PLoS ONE
Article Title: Quantitative Whole Body Biodistribution of Fluorescent-Labeled Agents by Non-Invasive Tomographic Imaging
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020594
Figure Lengend Snippet: Nude or BALB/c mice received administration of a variety of NIR fluorescence imaging agents to help to define specific organ regions and the appropriate placement of regions of interest, ROI, for quantification. A , GastroSense 680 was orally gavaged, and mice were imaged immediately to visualize the stomach and to place a 3-dimensional ROI (see front and side views). At 2 h post-gavage, the agent emptied from the stomach and moved into the intestines, allowing clear 3D intestinal ROI placement. B , Free fluorophore (VivoTag 680XL) was injected IV, revealing very rapid appearance in the bladder (left panels) and circulation through the vessels of the brain (right panels). C , BSA, known as a protein that predominantly localizes to the liver, was labeled with a NIR fluorophore (VivoTag 680XL) and injected IV to define the liver region. D , The large NIR vascular agent, AngioSense 680, was injected IV to provide signal defining the heart and carotid/jugular veins. E , Asthma-like inflammation was induced by immunization of BALB/c mice as previously described , and ProSense 680 was used to image the pulmonary eosinophilia cathepsin activity, thus defining the lung regions in 3D. F , IV ReninSense 680 was activated by normal kidney renin activity, providing signal defining the kidney regions. The resulting 3D ROIs for each of these organ/tissue regions defined the regions to be analyzed in subsequent whole body biodistribution studies, with a 2X4 grid providing a reference for proper ROI placement. Fluorescence outside of each tissue region’s ROI is omitted for clarity.
Article Snippet: N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)-ester labeling of proteins was performed using the 680 nm fluorophore (VivoTag 680XL, PerkinElmer).
Techniques: Fluorescence, Imaging, Injection, Labeling, Activity Assay
