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A Novel Approach Toward In Vivo EPR Imaging of B. anthracis
Author(s) -
Tsai Pei,
Cao GuanLiang,
Merkel Todd,
Rosen Gerald
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a633
Subject(s) - bacillus anthracis , endospore , spore , bacilli , in vivo , microbiology and biotechnology , electron paramagnetic resonance , bacillus (shape) , chemistry , biology , bacteria , nuclear magnetic resonance , genetics , physics
Bacillus anthracis is a spore‐forming, gram‐positive organism that is the etiologic agent of anthrax. According to the current model of B. anthracis pathogenesis, B. anthacis spores enter the lungs, are phagocytosed by host alveolar macrophages and are subsequently carried to regional lymph nodes. Spores germinate inside the host macrophages and become vegetative bacilli that are then released from the macrophages. Bacilli multiply in the lymphatic system, enter the bloodstream, and multiply to high levels, e.g., 107 – 108 organisms/mL blood. Little is known about the progression of disease following inhalation of spores. The mechanism and route of transit of B. anthracis from the lungs to distal sites in the host is not clear. With the development of low‐frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the ability to detect paramagnetic species in situ, in vivo and in real time, tracking by imaging of B. anthracis endospores in living animals is now a real possibility. We designed experiments to incorporate aminoxyls into endospores using two different strategies. Herein, methods are described to spin label endospores with nitroxides at concentrations sufficient to follow endospores following aerosol infection in mice using EPR imaging.