In vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detection of GFP through magnetization transfer contrast (MTC).
Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a widely utilized molecular marker of gene expression. However, its use in in vivo imaging has been restricted to transparent tissue mainly due to the tissue penetrance limitation of optical imaging. Here, we report a novel approach to detect GFP with Magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MTC is an MRI methodology currently utilized to detect macromolecule changes such as decrease in myelin and increase in collagen content. We employed MTC MRI imaging to detect GFP both in vitro and in in vivo mouse models. We demonstrated that our approach produces values that are protein specific, and concentration dependent. This approach provides a flexible, non-invasive in vivo molecular MRI imaging strategy that is dependent upon the presence and concentration of the GFP reporter.
Pérez-Torres
Carlos J
CJ
Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Massaad
Cynthia A
CA
Hilsenbeck
Susan G
SG
Serrano
Faridis
F
Pautler
Robia G
RG
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D015870:Gene Expression; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice
D003287:Contrast Media; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins