In vivo fluorescence imaging is well-suited for the monitoring of adenovirus directed transgene expression in living organisms.
OBJECTIVE
We tested a new light detection cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) for in vivo assessment of noninvasive, whole-body fluorescence optical imaging of adenovirus directed enhanced green fluorescent protein (AdEGFP) expression.


METHODS
AdEGFP was injected i.v. into BALB/c mice via tail vein. Whole-body fluorescence optical imaging of AdEGFP expression was performed using a Kodak 2000MM Image Station before and after vector administration.


RESULTS
EGFP expression was exclusively detected around the abdominal cavity, and the fluorescent signal peaked at day 4 and then remained detectable for at least 30 days. Ex vivo fluorescence imaging confirmed that EGFP expression was restricted to the liver, and transgene expression was homogeneously diffused into all four lobes.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that in vivo fluorescence imaging provides functional data indicating the approximate location, magnitude, and duration of AdEGFP expression.
Human Gene Therapy Division, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, 07070, Turkey.
Sevim
S
Kahraman
Ercument
E
Dirice
Ahter Dilsad
AD
Sanlioglu
Burcak
B
Yoldas
Huseyin
H
Bagci
Metin
M
Erkilic
Thomas S
TS
Griffith
Salih
S
Sanlioglu
D000005:Abdomen; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005453:Fluorescence; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009928:Organ Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics*; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods*
C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins