Bioluminescence imaging in mouse models quantifies beta cell mass in the pancreas and after islet transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
We developed a mouse model that enables non-invasive assessment of changes in beta cell mass.


METHODS
We generated a transgenic mouse expressing luciferase under control of the mouse insulin I promoter [mouse insulin promoter-luciferase-Vanderbilt University (MIP-Luc-VU)] and characterized this model in mice with increased or decreased beta cell mass and after islet transplantation.


RESULTS
Streptozotocin-induced, diabetic MIP-Luc-VU mice had a progressive decline in bioluminescence that correlated with a decrease in beta cell mass. MIP-Luc-VU animals fed a high-fat diet displayed a progressive increase in bioluminescence that reflected an increase in beta cell mass. MIP-Luc-VU islets transplanted beneath the renal capsule or into the liver emitted bioluminescence proportional to the number of islets transplanted and could be imaged for more than a year.


CONCLUSIONS
Bioluminescence in the MIP-Luc-VU mouse model is proportional to beta cell mass in the setting of increased and decreased beta cell mass and after transplantation.
Virostko
John
J
Vanderbilt University, Institute of Imaging Science, Nashville, TN, USA.
Radhika
Aramandla
A
Poffenberger
Greg
G
Chen
Zhongyi
Z
Brissova
Marcela
M
Gilchrist
Joshua
J
Coleman
Brian
B
Gannon
Maureen
M
Jansen
E Duco
ED
Powers
Alvin C
AC
D000818:Animals; D048429:Cell Size; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
D007328:Insulin; D008156:Luciferases