Quantitative bioluminescence imaging of mouse tumor models

Area of Science:

• Biomedical imaging
• Oncology research
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is crucial for preclinical cancer therapeutics evaluation.
• BLI provides sensitive and quantitative tumor burden measurements in experimental models.
• Reporter gene expression (e.g., firefly luciferase) in cancer cells or mouse models enables disease monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize an optimized BLI protocol for enhanced sensitivity and dynamic range.
• To highlight the role of advanced hardware, particularly cooled CCD cameras, in BLI.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of luciferase-encoding vectors into human cancer cells for xenografts.
• Administration of luciferin substrate to hosts for light generation.
• Utilizing cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras for sensitive bioluminescence detection.

Main Results:

• BLI enables sensitive and quantitative assessment of tumor burden in preclinical cancer models.
• The protocol allows for detection of bioluminescence in living animals.
• High sensitivity and a large dynamic range are achieved through hardware advancements.

Conclusions:

• Optimized BLI protocols, utilizing advanced hardware, are essential for sensitive preclinical cancer research.
• BLI is a valuable tool for evaluating anticancer therapeutics and monitoring disease progression.
• The described protocol enhances the capability of BLI for in vivo studies.