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Updated: May 7, 2026
Dual Bioluminescence Imaging of Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis
Published on: August 1, 2019
Theranostic protein targeting ErbB2 for bioluminescence imaging and therapy for cancer
Xiao-Jian Han1, Ling-Fei Sun, Yuki Nishiyama
1Department of Physiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan ; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan ; Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Abstract:
A combination of molecular-targeted cancer imaging and therapy is an emerging strategy to improve cancer diagnosis and minimize the side effects of conventional treatments. Here, we generated a recombinant protein, EC1-GLuc-p53C, by fusing EC1 peptide, an artificial ligand of ErbB2, with Gaussia luciferase (GLuc) and a p53-activating peptide, p53C. EC1-GLuc-p53C was expressed and purified from E. coli BL21. In vitro experiments showed that EC1-GLuc-p53c was stable in luminescent activity and selectively targeted ErbB2-overexpressing BT474 cells for bioluminescence imaging. Moreover, the internalized EC1-GLuc-p53C in BT474 cells exerted its function to reactivate p53 and significantly inhibited cellular proliferation. In tumor-bearing mice, the ErbB2-targeted bioluminescence imaging and therapeutic effect of EC1-GLuc-p53C were also observed specifically in BT474 tumors but not in MCF7 tumors, which does not overexpress ErbB2. Thus, the present study demonstrates EC1-GLuc-p53C to be an effective theranostic reagent targeting ErbB2 for bioluminescence imaging and cancer therapy.
Insights
Researchers developed EC1-GLuc-p53C, a novel theranostic agent. This protein targets ErbB2-positive cancer cells for bioluminescence imaging and inhibits tumor growth by reactivating p53, offering a dual-action cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Molecular-targeted cancer imaging and therapy offer improved diagnosis and reduced side effects.
- ErbB2 overexpression is a hallmark of certain aggressive cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel theranostic reagent for ErbB2-targeted cancer imaging and therapy.
- To assess the efficacy of EC1-GLuc-p53C in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Generated a recombinant protein EC1-GLuc-p53C by fusing an ErbB2-targeting peptide (EC1), Gaussia luciferase (GLuc), and a p53-activating peptide (p53C).
- Expressed and purified EC1-GLuc-p53C from E. coli.
- Conducted in vitro assays to evaluate luminescent stability, cellular targeting, and antiproliferative effects.
- Performed in vivo studies using tumor-bearing mice to assess bioluminescence imaging and therapeutic outcomes.
Main Results:
- EC1-GLuc-p53C demonstrated stable luminescent activity and selective targeting of ErbB2-overexpressing BT474 cells.
- Internalized EC1-GLuc-p53C reactivated p53 and significantly inhibited BT474 cell proliferation in vitro.
- In vivo studies showed specific ErbB2-targeted bioluminescence imaging and therapeutic effects in BT474 tumors, but not in ErbB2-negative MCF7 tumors.
Conclusions:
- EC1-GLuc-p53C is a promising theranostic reagent for ErbB2-positive cancers.
- The developed protein enables simultaneous bioluminescence imaging and targeted cancer therapy.
- This approach holds potential for improving cancer diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
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