Near-infrared optical imaging of nucleic acid nanocarriers in vivo.
Noninvasive, real-time optical imaging methods are well suited to follow the in vivo distribution of nucleic acid nanocarriers, their dissociation, and the resulting gene expression or inhibition. Indeed, most small animal imaging devices perform bioluminescence and fluorescence measurements without moving the animal, allowing a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method of investigation of several parameters at a time, in longitudinal experiments that can last for days or weeks.Here we help the reader in choosing adapted near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores or pairs of fluorophores for Förster resonance energy transfer assays, imaging of reporter genes, as well as nanocarriers for in vivo gene and siRNA delivery. In addition, we present the labeling methods of these macromolecules and of their payload and the protocols to detect them using bioluminescence and NIR fluorescence imaging in mice.
INSERM U823, Institut Albert Bonniot, Grenoble, France.
Claire
C
Rome
Julien
J
Gravier
Marie
M
Morille
Gilles
G
Divita
Anne-Laure
AL
Bolcato-Bellemin
Véronique
V
Josserand
Jean-Luc
JL
Coll
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007763:Lac Operon / Q000235:genetics; D008081:Liposomes; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D051379:Mice; D049329:Nanostructures; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D004337:Drug Carriers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008081:Liposomes; D010743:Phospholipids; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014867:Water; D004247:DNA