Abstract
BACKGROUND: We propose micro single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging of the hNIS (human sodium/ iodide symporter) to noninvasively quantify adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated gene expression in a murine model of peripheral artery disease. METHODS: AAV9-hNIS (2×1011 viral genome particles) was injected into nonischemic or ischemic gastrocnemius muscles of C57Bl/6J mice following unilateral hindlimb ischemia ± the α-sialidase NA (neuraminidase). Control nonischemic limbs were injected with phosphate buffered saline or remained noninjected. Twelve mice underwent micro single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging after serial injection of pertechnetate (99mTcO4−), a NIS substrate, up to 28 days after AAV9-hNIS injection. Twenty four animals were euthanized at selected times over 1 month for ex vivo validation. Forty-two animals were imaged with 99mTcO4− ± the selective NIS inhibitor perchlorate on day 10, to ascertain specificity of radiotracer uptake. Tissue was harvested for ex vivo validation. A modified version of the U-Net deep learning algorithm was used for image quantification. RESULTS: As quantitated by standardized uptake value, there was a gradual temporal increase in 99mTcO4− uptake in muscles treated with AAV9-hNIS. Hindlimb ischemia, NA, and hindlimb ischemia plus NA increased the magnitude of 99mTcO4− uptake by 4- to 5-fold compared with nonischemic muscle treated with only AAV9-hNIS. Perchlorate treatment significantly reduced 99mTcO4− uptake in AAV9-hNIS-treated muscles, demonstrating uptake specificity. The imaging results correlated well with ex vivo well counting (r2=0.9375; P<0.0001) and immunoblot analysis of NIS protein (r2=0.65; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Micro single-photon emission computed tomography/ computed tomography imaging of hNIS-mediated 99mTcO4− uptake allows for accurate in vivo quantification of AAV9-driven gene expression, which increases under ischemic conditions or neuraminidase desialylation in skeletal muscle.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Article number | e009063 |
Journal | Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Animals
- Emission computed
- Genetic therapy
- Neuraminidase
- Peripheral artery disease
- Single-photon
- Tomography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine