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Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse
Published on: March 8, 2013
Two-color lymphatic mapping using Ig-conjugated near infrared optical probes
Yukihiro Hama1, Yoshinori Koyama, Yasuteru Urano
1Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1088, USA.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|May 25, 2007
Summary
Researchers developed new multicolor optical probes using antibodies (Igs) for lymphatic system mapping. These probes enable noninvasive visualization of lymphatic drainage patterns, potentially improving surgical planning and reducing lymphedema risk.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Imaging
- Lymphatic System Research
Background:
- Mapping lymphatic drainage is crucial for surgical planning and understanding diseases like lymphedema.
- Current methods face limitations, including potential toxicity of agents like quantum dots.
- Need for biocompatible, size-appropriate probes for interstitial administration and multicolor imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate novel multicolor optical probes for mapping lymphatic drainage patterns.
- To demonstrate the probes' ability to visualize lymphatic pathways in preclinical animal models.
- To assess the clinical translation potential of a biocompatible lymphangiography technique.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of immunoglobulin (Ig) based optical probes conjugated with Cy5.5 and Cy7 fluorescent dyes.
- Interstitial administration of probes in animal models to track lymphatic flow.
- Multicolor optical imaging to visualize lymphatic drainage to axillary, cervical, and sentinel lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- Successful mapping of lymphatic drainage patterns from different anatomic locations in animal models.
- Demonstrated ability to separately and simultaneously visualize drainage from multiple lymphatic vessels.
- Fluorescently labeled Igs showed good biocompatibility compared to nanoparticulate fluorophores.
Conclusions:
- Developed noninvasive, biocompatible multicolor optical lymphangiography probes.
- These probes can elucidate complex lymphatic system drainage patterns.
- Potential to improve preoperative lymph node mapping and reduce postsurgical lymphedema risk.
