Open AccessSerial Non-Invasive Monitoring of Renal Disease Following Immune-Mediated Injury Using Near-Infrared Optical Imaging
Author(s) -
Yong Du,
Shion An,
Li Liu,
Li Li,
Xin J. Zhou,
Ralph P. Mason,
Chandra Mohan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0043941
Subject(s) - in vivo , pathology , ex vivo , kidney disease , kidney , medicine , nephritis , integrin , molecular imaging , preclinical imaging , biology , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology
Background Non-invasive monitoring of disease progression in kidney disease is still a major challenge in clinical practice. In vivo near-infrared (NIR) imaging provides a new tool for studying disease mechanisms and non-invasive monitoring of disease development, even in deep organs. The LI-COR IRDye® 800CW RGD optical probe (RGD probe) is a NIR fluorophore, that can target integrin alpha v beta 3 (α v β 3 ) in tissues. Objective This study aims to monitor renal disease progression in an anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis mouse model. Methods Anti-GBM nephritis was induced in 129x1/svJ mice by anti-GBM serum challenge. The expression of integrin α v β 3 in the diseased kidney was examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The RGD probe and control fluorophores, the 800CW dye, and the BSA-conjugated 800CW dye, were administered into anti-GBM nephritic mice. LI-COR Pearl® Impulse imaging system was used for in vivo imaging; while ex vivo organ imaging was acquired using the Maestro TM imaging system. Results Kidney tissue from anti-GBM nephritic mice showed higher levels of integrin α v β 3 expression at both the protein and the mRNA level compared to normal mice. The RGD probe allowed in vivo renal imaging and the fluorescent signal could be specifically captured in the diseased kidneys up to 14 days, reflecting longitudinal changes in renal function. Conclusion The infrared RGD molecular probe that tracks integrin expression can be successfully used to monitor renal disease progression following immune-mediated nephritis.