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Detection of Brain Tumors and Systemic Metastases Using NanoLuc and Fluc for Dual Reporter Imaging

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Abstract

Purpose

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a technique with a low background noise and high sensitivity which is widely used in mice models in oncology. We aimed to assess BLI efficiency of the new luciferase NanoLuc (Nluc) for glioblastoma cell lines and tumors, including for dual reporter applications of deep brain tumors and systemic metastasis when combined with firefly luciferase (Fluc).

Procedures

U87 cells were genetically modified for constitutive production of either Nluc, Fluc, or both and assayed for luciferase activity and BLI on cell lysates, living cells, subcutaneous tumors, brain tumors, and systemic metastases.

Results

In vitro, light production by Nluc activity is higher than Fluc. In vivo, Nluc allows for tumor detection including for deep brain tumors and systemic metastases.

Conclusions

Nluc appears to be a useful tool to combine with Fluc for dual imaging in vivo using bioluminescence, allowing for the detection of distinct events in deep tissues within the same organism.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Patrick Salaun from Promega-France for the gift of plasmid and furimazine, Dr. Benoit Rousseau, Dr. Pierre Costet, and Laetitia Medan for rearing and taking care of mice.

Funding

This study was supported by Labex TRAIL (ANR-10-LABX-57) and Conseil regional Aquitaine.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Bio-Imagerie (IBIO), CNRS/UMS 3428, University Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076, Bordeaux cedex, France

    Coralie Germain-Genevois

  2. Centre de Résonance Magnétique des Systèmes Biologiques (RMSB), CNRS/UMR 5536, University Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076, Bordeaux cedex, France

    Olivia Garandeau & Franck Couillaud

Authors
  1. Coralie Germain-Genevois
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  2. Olivia Garandeau
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  3. Franck Couillaud
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Franck Couillaud.

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Germain-Genevois, C., Garandeau, O. & Couillaud, F. Detection of Brain Tumors and Systemic Metastases Using NanoLuc and Fluc for Dual Reporter Imaging. Mol Imaging Biol 18, 62–69 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-015-0864-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-015-0864-2

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