Tri-modal in vivo imaging of pancreatic islets transplanted subcutaneously in mice

Liang, Sayuan; Louchami, Karim; Holvoet, Bryan; Verbeke, Rein; Deroose, Christophe M.; Manshian, Bella; Soenen, Stefaan J.; Lentacker, Ine; Himmelreich, Uwe

doi:10.1007/S11307-018-1192-0

Title

Tri-modal in vivo imaging of pancreatic islets transplanted subcutaneously in mice

Author

Liang, Sayuan

Louchami, Karim

Holvoet, Bryan

Verbeke, Rein

Deroose, Christophe M.

Manshian, Bella

Soenen, Stefaan J.

Lentacker, Ine

Himmelreich, Uwe

Abstract

PurposeTransplantation of pancreatic islets (PIs) is a promising therapeutic approach for type 1 diabetes. The main obstacle for this strategy is that the outcome of islet engraftment depends on the engraftment site. It was our aim to develop a strategy for using non-invasive imaging techniques to assess the location and fate of transplanted PIs longitudinally in vivo.ProceduresIn order to overcome the limitations of individual imaging techniques and cross-validate findings by different modalities, we have combined fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (F-19 MRI), fluorescence imaging (FLI), and bioluminescent imaging (BLI) for studying subcutaneously transplanted PIs and beta cell-like cells (INS-1E cell line) in vivo. We optimized the transduction (using lentiviral vectors) and labeling procedures (using perfluoro crown ether nanoparticles with a fluorescence dye) for PIs and INS-1E cell imaging.ResultsThe feasibility of using the proposed imaging methods for PI assessment was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggested that F-19 MRI is suitable for high-resolution localization of transplanted cells and PIs; FLI is essential for confirmation of contrast localization by histology; and BLI is a reliable method to assess cell viability and survival after transplantation. No significant side effects on cell viability and function have been observed.ConclusionsThe proposed tri-modal imaging platform is a valuable approach for the assessment of engrafted PIs in vivo. It is potentially suitable for comparing different transplantation sites and evaluating novel strategies for improving PI transplantation technique in the future.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Molecular imaging and biology. - Place of publication unknown

Publication

Place of publication unknown : 2018

ISSN

1536-1632

DOI

10.1007/S11307-018-1192-0

Volume/pages

20 :6 (2018) , p. 940-951