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Published on: April 15, 2016
Detection of transgene expression using hyperpolarized 13C urea and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance
P Stephen Patrick1, Mikko I Kettunen, Sui-Seng Tee
1Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Purpose:
To assess the potential of a gene reporter system, based on a urea transporter (UTB) and hyperpolarized [(13) C]urea.
Methods:
Mice were implanted subcutaneously with either unmodified control cells or otherwise identical cells expressing UTB. After injection of hyperpolarized [(13) C]urea, a spin echo sequence was used to measure urea concentration, T1 , and diffusion in control and UTB-expressing tissue.
Results:
The apparent diffusion coefficient of hyperpolarized urea was 21% lower in tissue expressing UTB, in comparison with control tissue (P < 0.05, 1-tailed t-test, n = 6 in each group). No difference in water apparent diffusion coefficient or cellularity between these tissues was found, indicating that they were otherwise similar in composition.
Conclusion:
Expression of UTB, by mediating cell uptake of urea, lowers the apparent diffusion coefficient of hyperpolarized (13) C urea in tissue and thus the transporter has the potential to be used as a magnetic resonance-based gene reporter in vivo. Magn Reson Med 73:1401-1406, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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