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Ultrasensitive and multiplexed tracking of single cells using whole-body PET/CT
Hieu T M Nguyen1, Neeladrisingha Das1, Matthew Ricks2
1School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Science Advances
|June 14, 2024
Summary
Positron emission tomography (PET) now tracks over 20 single cells simultaneously in vivo. This breakthrough enables unprecedented insights into cell trafficking for disease and therapy research.
Area of Science:
- Molecular imaging
- Cell biology
- Medical physics
Background:
- In vivo molecular imaging is vital for understanding cell migration in biological systems.
- Current methods face challenges in achieving whole-body, single-cell sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and multiplexed positron emission tomography (PET) approach for tracking single cells in vivo.
- To achieve simultaneous tracking of over 20 single cells within a single subject.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a streamlined workflow to label single cells with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG).
- Employed a statistical tracking algorithm (PEPT-EM) for enhanced sensitivity.
- Achieved a detection sensitivity of 4 becquerel per cell.
Main Results:
- Successfully tracked over 70 melanoma cells after intracardiac injection.
- Demonstrated simultaneous tracking of more than 20 single cells.
- Observed primary cell arrest in the capillaries of pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and digestive systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed PET method offers high sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities for single-cell tracking.
- This technique provides valuable insights into early-stage cell trafficking in physiological and pathological conditions.
- Highlights the potential of PET in advancing cell-based therapies and understanding disease mechanisms.
