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Whole-body imaging with fluorescent proteins

Nature Protocols volume 1, pages 1429–1438 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

The intrinsic brightness of fluorescent proteins has been taken advantage of to develop a technology of whole-body imaging of tumors and gene expression in mouse internal organs. Stable transformation with fluorescent protein genes can be effected using retroviral vectors containing a selectable marker such as neomycin resistance. The cells that stably express fluorescent proteins can then be transplanted into appropriate mouse models. For whole-body imaging, nude mice are very appropriate. If wild-type mice are used, then hair must be removed by shaving or depilation. The instruments used can range from a simple LED flashlight and appropriate excitation and emission filters to sophisticated equipment such as the Olympus OV100 with a wide range of magnification, enabling both macroimaging and microimaging. It is crucial that proper filters be used such that background autofluorescence is minimal. Fluorescent protein–based imaging technology can be used for whole-body imaging of fluorescent cells on essentially all organs. The timeline for these experiments varies from 2 days to 2 months.

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Figure 1: Comparison of external and internal images of bone metastasis.
Figure 2: Whole-body fluorescence imaging allows the visualization of lymphoma dissemination.
Figure 3: Whole-body imaging of a brain tumor.
Figure 4: Correlation of whole-body and open images.
Figure 5
Figure 6: Whole-body imaging with an LED flashlight.
Figure 7: External and internal images of vAd-GFP gene expression in various organs.
Figure 8: Variable magnification whole-animal imaging system.
Figure 9: Whole-body and open imaging of GFP and RFP tumors in nude mice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AntiCancer, Inc., 7917 Ostrow Street, San Diego, 92111, California, USA

    Robert M Hoffman & Meng Yang

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  1. Robert M Hoffman
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  2. Meng Yang
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Correspondence to Robert M Hoffman.

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Competing interests

R.M.H. is the president of AntiCancer, which has commercial activities in the area of fluorescent protein–based imaging and has a Technology Development with Olympus.

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Hoffman, R., Yang, M. Whole-body imaging with fluorescent proteins. Nat Protoc 1, 1429–1438 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2006.223

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