Imaging gene expression and endogenous molecular processes: Molecular imaging Journal Article


Author: Blasberg, R.
Article Title: Imaging gene expression and endogenous molecular processes: Molecular imaging
Abstract: Noninvasive in vivo molecular imaging has developed over the past decade and involves nuclear (positron emission tomography [PET], gamma camera), magnetic resonance, and in vivo optical imaging systems. Most current in vivo molecular imaging strategies are "indirect" and involve the coupling of a "reporter gene" with a complementary "reporter probe." Imaging the level of probe accumulation provides indirect information related to the level of reporter gene expression. Reporter gene constructs are driven by upstream promoter/enhancer elements; reporter gene expression can be constitutive, leading to continuous transcription and used to identify the site of transduction and to monitor the level and duration of gene (vector) activity. Alternatively, reporter gene expression can be inducible, leading to controlled gene expression, or reporter genes can function as a "sensor" to monitor the level of endogenous promoters and transcription factors. The development of versatile and sensitive assays that do not require tissue sampling will be of considerable value for monitoring molecular-genetic and cellular processes in animal models of human disease, as well as for studies in human subjects in the future. Noninvasive imaging of molecular-genetic and cellular processes will complement established ex vivo molecular-biologic assays that require tissue sampling, and will provide a spatial as well as a temporal dimension to our understanding of various diseases. Several examples of imaging endogenous biologic processes in animals using reporter constructs, radiolabeled probes, and PET imaging are reviewed (e.g., p53-dependent gene expression, T-cell receptor-dependent activation of T-lymphocytes, and preliminary studies of endogenous HIF-1α expression). Issues related to the translation of noninvasive molecular imaging technology into the clinic are also discussed.
Keywords: promoter region; review; nonhuman; molecular genetics; positron emission tomography; magnetic resonance imaging; t lymphocyte; animals; gene expression; genetic transcription; in vivo study; molecular imaging; protein p53; genetic transduction; models, animal; imaging system; t lymphocyte receptor; isotope labeling; brain; reporter gene; tumor suppressor protein p53; gene probe; genes, reporter; pet; cell activation; nuclear magnetic resonance; p53; hsv1-tk; genes, p53; tomography, emission-computed; gene construct; t-cell activation; enhancer region; fiau; nfat; scintillation camera; gamma camera; dna vector; gene imaging; human; priority journal; herpes virus type one thymidine kinase
Journal Title: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
Volume: 22
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0271-678X
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.  
Date Published: 2002-10-01
Start Page: 1157
End Page: 1164
Language: English
PUBMED: 12368652
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1097/01.wcb.0000037986.07114.35
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 14 November 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ronald G Blasberg
    272 Blasberg
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