Molecular imaging of Cathepsin E-positive tumors in mice using a novel protease-activatable fluorescent probe.

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the ability of imaging Cathepsin E (Cath E) positive tumors in living animals through selective targeting of Cath E proteolytic activity using a sensitive molecular imaging agent.

Methods

A peptide-based Cath E imaging probe and a control probe were synthesized for this study. Human Cath E-positive cancer cells (MPanc96-E) were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice. Tumor-bearing mice were examined in vivo with near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging at various time points after intravenous injection of the Cath E sensing imaging probe. Excised organs and tissues of interest were further imaged ex vivo.

Results

Upon specific Cath E proteolytic activation, the NIRF signal of the imaging probe a was converted from

SUBMITTER: Abd-Elgaliel WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4207267 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature