title: Multiple-contrast X-ray micro-CT visualization of colon malformations and tumours in situ in living mice.
abstract: The development of new therapeutic approaches against colorectal cancer requires preclinical studies in mice. In vivo imaging could greatly facilitate these trials, but the small size of the animals is a major limitation for the direct visualization of intestinal tissue. Here we report a method of in vivo imaging of the mouse intestine based on X-ray micro-computed tomography using multiple contrast agents. This method was validated in the model of non-cancerous polyp-like heteroplasia that spontaneously develops in the caecum area of Cdx2+/- mutant mice and in the model of colon adenocarcinoma induced by administration of the chemical carcinogen azoxymethane. As a simple and non-invasive method, multiple-contrast X-ray micro-computed tomography is appropriate for pre-clinical studies of intestinal diseases in living mice.
authors.affiliation: Service de biophysique et de médecine nucléaire, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, hôpital de Hautepierre, 1, avenue Molière, 67098 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Choquet
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calon
authors.forename: Elodie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Breton
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domon-Dell
authors.forename: Jean-Noël
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Freund
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Constantinesco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D003106:Colon / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006579:Heterozygote; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; C487514:Cdx2 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors