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Qualitative in vivo bioluminescence imaging
Devbarna Sinha1, Zalitha Pieterse2, Pritinder Kaur1,2
1Epithelial Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Bio-Protocol
|August 16, 2021
Summary
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) allows real-time tracking of ovarian cancer growth and spread in live animals. This study used BLI to investigate how pericytes affect ovarian cancer progression in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Molecular imaging
- Cancer research
- Animal models
Background:
- Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a non-invasive technique for in vivo molecular imaging.
- BLI supports ethical animal research by enabling longitudinal studies in the same animal.
- Ovarian cancer metastasis and growth are critical areas of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply luciferase imaging for studying ovarian cancer.
- To investigate the impact of pericytes on ovarian cancer growth and metastasis.
- To utilize an aggressive ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR-5) for in vivo experiments.
Main Methods:
- Development of a luciferase imaging protocol.
- Co-inoculation of ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR-5) with pericytes in a live animal model.
- In vivo monitoring of tumor growth and metastatic spread using bioluminescence.
Main Results:
- The study established a BLI protocol for tracking ovarian cancer.
- Observed effects of pericyte co-inoculation on tumor growth dynamics.
- Monitored real-time metastatic spread of ovarian cancer in the presence of pericytes.
Conclusions:
- Bioluminescence imaging is effective for studying ovarian cancer progression in vivo.
- Pericytes play a role in modulating ovarian cancer growth and metastasis.
- This model provides insights into the tumor microenvironment's influence on ovarian cancer.
