title: Fluorescent lectins for local in vivo visualization of peripheral nerves.
abstract: Damage to peripheral nerves caused during a surgical intervention often results in function loss. Fluorescence imaging has the potential to improve intraoperative identification and preservation of these structures. However, only very few nerve targeting agents are available. This study describes the in vivo nerve staining capabilities of locally administered fluorescent lectin-analogues. To this end WGA, PNA, PHA-L and LEL were functionalized with Cy5 (λex max 640 nm; λem max 680 nm). Transfer of these imaging agents along the sciatic nerve was evaluated in Thy1-YFP mice (n = 12) after intramuscular injection. Migration from the injection site was assessed in vivo using a laboratory fluorescence scanner and ex vivo via fluorescence confocal microscopy. All four lectins showed retrograde movement and staining of the epineurium with a signal-to-muscle ratio of around two. On average, the longest transfer distance was obtained with WGA-Cy5 (0.95 cm). Since WGA also gave minimal uptake in the lymphatic system, this lectin type revealed the highest potential as a migration imaging agent to visualize nerves.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gijs Hendrik
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: KleinJan
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buckle
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Danny Michel
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: van Willigen
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Matthias Nathanaël
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: van  Oosterom
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Silvia Johara
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Spa
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Harmen Egbert
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kloosterboer
authors.affiliation: Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Hospital, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. f.w.b.van_leeuwen@lumc.nl.
authors.forename: Fijs Willem Bernhard
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D037102:Lectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D037102:Lectins; C085321:cyanine dye 5