Magnetic resonance imaging of tumors colonized with bacterial ferritin-expressing Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent studies have shown that human ferritin can be used as a reporter of gene expression for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Bacteria also encode three classes of ferritin-type molecules with iron accumulation properties.

Methods and findings

Here, we investigated whether these bacterial ferritins can also be used as MRI reporter genes and which of the bacterial ferritins is the most suitable reporter. Bacterial ferritins were overexpressed in probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917. Cultures of these bacteria were analyzed and those generating highest MRI contrast were further investigated in tumor bearing mice. Among members of three classes of bacterial ferritin tested, bacterioferritin showed the most promise as a reporter gene. Although all three proteins accumulat

SUBMITTER: Hill PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3184983 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature