scholarly journals A collagen-binding protein enables molecular imaging of kidney fibrosis in vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Baues ◽  
Barbara M. Klinkhammer ◽  
Josef Ehling ◽  
Felix Gremse ◽  
Marc A.M.J. van Zandvoort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Imaging ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Collagen Binding ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis

scholarly journals The Collagen Binding Protein Cnm Contributes to Oral Colonization and Cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans OMZ175

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 2001-2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Miller ◽  
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes ◽  
Kathy Scott-Anne ◽  
Stacy Gregoire ◽  
Gene E. Watson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Oral Epithelium ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Collagen Binding ◽  
Native Strain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Root Tissues

Streptococcus mutansis the etiological agent of dental caries and one of the many bacterial species implicated in infective endocarditis. The expression of the collagen-binding protein Cnm byS. mutanshas been associated with extraoral infections, but its relevance for dental caries has only been theorized to date. Due to the collagenous composition of dentinal and root tissues, we hypothesized that Cnm may facilitate the colonization of these surfaces, thereby enhancing the pathogenic potential ofS. mutansin advancing carious lesions. As shown for extraoral endothelial cell lines, Cnm mediates the invasion of oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts byS. mutans. In this study, we show that in the Cnm+native strain, OMZ175, Cnm mediates stringent adhesion to dentinal and root tissues as well as collagen-coated surfaces and promotes both cariogenicity and carriagein vivo. In vitro,ex vivo, andin vivoexperiments revealed that while Cnm is not universally required forS. mutanscariogenicity, it contributes to (i) the invasion of the oral epithelium, (ii) enhanced binding on collagenous surfaces, (iii) implantation of oral biofilms, and (IV) the severity of caries due to a native Cnm+isolate. Taken together, our findings reveal that Cnm is a colonization factor that contributes to the pathogenicity of certainS. mutansstrains in their native habitat, the oral cavity.

scholarly journals Targeting the Extracellular Matrix in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Molecular Imaging Insights

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2685
Author(s):  
Lisa Adams ◽  
Julia Brangsch ◽  
Bernd Hamm ◽  
Marcus R. Makowski ◽  
Sarah Keller
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Molecular Imaging ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Type I ◽  
Target Tissue ◽  
Pharmacologic Treatment ◽  
Abdominal Aortic

This review outlines recent preclinical and clinical advances in molecular imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a focus on molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, developments in pharmacologic treatment of AAA targeting the ECM will be discussed and results from animal studies will be contrasted with clinical trials. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an often fatal disease without non-invasive pharmacologic treatment options. The ECM, with collagen type I and elastin as major components, is the key structural component of the aortic wall and is recognized as a target tissue for both initiation and the progression of AAA. Molecular imaging allows in vivo measurement and characterization of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level and sets forth to visualize molecular abnormalities at an early stage of disease, facilitating novel diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. By providing surrogate criteria for the in vivo evaluation of the effects of pharmacological therapies, molecular imaging techniques targeting the ECM can facilitate pharmacological drug development. In addition, molecular targets can also be used in theranostic approaches that have the potential for timely diagnosis and concurrent medical therapy. Recent successes in preclinical studies suggest future opportunities for clinical translation. However, further clinical studies are needed to validate the most promising molecular targets for human application.

scholarly journals C4b-binding protein α-chain enhances antitumor immunity by facilitating the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Sasaki ◽  
Shigetsugu Takano ◽  
Satoshi Tomizawa ◽  
Yoji Miyahara ◽  
Katsunori Furukawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes ◽  
Pdac Cell ◽  
Α Chain ◽  
Infiltrating Lymphocytes

Abstract Background Recent studies indicate that complement plays pivotal roles in promoting or suppressing cancer progression. We have previously identified C4b-binding protein α-chain (C4BPA) as a serum biomarker for the early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we elucidated the functional roles of C4BPA in PDAC cells and the tumor microenvironment. Methods We assessed stromal C4BPA, the C4BPA binding partner CD40, and the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in resected human PDAC tissues via immunohistochemical staining. The biological functions of C4BPA were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human PDAC cell lines. Mouse C4BPA (mC4BPA) peptide, which is composed of 30 amino acids from the C-terminus and binds to CD40, was designed for further in vitro and in vivo experiments. In a preclinical experiment, we assessed the efficacy of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP), dual immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), and mC4BPA peptide in a mouse orthotopic transplantation model. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that high stromal C4BPA and CD40 was associated with favorable PDAC prognosis (P=0.0005). Stromal C4BPA strongly correlated with the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (P=0.001). In in vitro experiments, flow cytometry revealed that recombinant human C4BPA (rhC4BPA) stimulation increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell numbers in PBMCs. rhC4BPA also promoted the proliferation of CD40-expressing PDAC cells. By contrast, combined treatment with gemcitabine and rhC4BPA increased PDAC cell apoptosis rate. mC4BPA peptide increased the number of murine T lymphocytes in vitro and the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes surrounding PDAC tumors in vivo. In a preclinical study, GnP/ICBs/mC4BPA peptide treatment, but not GnP treatment, led to the accumulation of a greater number of CD8+ T cells in the periphery of PDAC tumors and to greater tumor regression than did control treatment. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the combination of GnP therapy with C4BPA inhibits PDAC progression by promoting antitumor T cell accumulation in the tumor microenvironment.

scholarly journals Multi-Modal Multi-Spectral Intravital Microscopic Imaging of Signaling Dynamics in Real-Time during Tumor–Immune Interactions

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 499
Author(s):  
Tracy W. Liu ◽  
Seth T. Gammon ◽  
David Piwnica-Worms
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Imaging ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Bioluminescence Imaging ◽  
Emission Spectra ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Microscopic Imaging ◽  
Signaling Dynamics ◽  
Window Chamber

Intravital microscopic imaging (IVM) allows for the study of interactions between immune cells and tumor cells in a dynamic, physiologically relevant system in vivo. Current IVM strategies primarily use fluorescence imaging; however, with the advances in bioluminescence imaging and the development of new bioluminescent reporters with expanded emission spectra, the applications for bioluminescence are extending to single cell imaging. Herein, we describe a molecular imaging window chamber platform that uniquely combines both bioluminescent and fluorescent genetically encoded reporters, as well as exogenous reporters, providing a powerful multi-plex strategy to study molecular and cellular processes in real-time in intact living systems at single cell resolution all in one system. We demonstrate that our molecular imaging window chamber platform is capable of imaging signaling dynamics in real-time at cellular resolution during tumor progression. Importantly, we expand the utility of IVM by modifying an off-the-shelf commercial system with the addition of bioluminescence imaging achieved by the addition of a CCD camera and demonstrate high quality imaging within the reaches of any biology laboratory.

scholarly journals Preclinical Evaluation of [18F]FACH in Healthy Mice and Piglets: An 18F-Labeled Ligand for Imaging of Monocarboxylate Transporters with PET

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1645
Author(s):  
Daniel Gündel ◽  
Masoud Sadeghzadeh ◽  
Winnie Deuther-Conrad ◽  
Barbara Wenzel ◽  
Paul Cumming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Imaging ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Monocarboxylate Transporters ◽  
Binding Potential ◽  
Kidney Cortex ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Imaging Tool ◽  
Pre Treatment

The expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) is linked to pathophysiological changes in diseases, including cancer, such that MCTs could potentially serve as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets. We recently developed [18F]FACH as a radiotracer for non-invasive molecular imaging of MCTs by positron emission tomography (PET). The aim of this study was to evaluate further the specificity, metabolic stability, and pharmacokinetics of [18F]FACH in healthy mice and piglets. We measured the [18F]FACH plasma protein binding fractions in mice and piglets and the specific binding in cryosections of murine kidney and lung. The biodistribution of [18F]FACH was evaluated by tissue sampling ex vivo and by dynamic PET/MRI in vivo, with and without pre-treatment by the MCT inhibitor α-CCA-Na or the reference compound, FACH-Na. Additionally, we performed compartmental modelling of the PET signal in kidney cortex and liver. Saturation binding studies in kidney cortex cryosections indicated a KD of 118 ± 12 nM and Bmax of 6.0 pmol/mg wet weight. The specificity of [18F]FACH uptake in the kidney cortex was confirmed in vivo by reductions in AUC0–60min after pre-treatment with α-CCA-Na in mice (−47%) and in piglets (−66%). [18F]FACH was metabolically stable in mouse, but polar radio-metabolites were present in plasma and tissues of piglets. The [18F]FACH binding potential (BPND) in the kidney cortex was approximately 1.3 in mice. The MCT1 specificity of [18F]FACH uptake was confirmed by displacement studies in 4T1 cells. [18F]FACH has suitable properties for the detection of the MCTs in kidney, and thus has potential as a molecular imaging tool for MCT-related pathologies, which should next be assessed in relevant disease models.

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