carbocyanines and Inflammation

Molecular activatable probes with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence play a critical role in in vivo imaging of biomarkers for drug screening and disease diagnosis. With structural diversity and high fluorescence quantum yields, hemicyanine dyes have emerged as a versatile scaffold for the construction of activatable optical probes. This Review presents a survey of hemicyanine-based NIR activatable probes (HNAPs) for in vivo imaging and early diagnosis of diseases. The molecular design principles of HNAPs towards activatable optical signaling against various biomarkers are discussed with a focus on their broad applications in the detection of diseases including inflammation, acute organ failure, skin diseases, intestinal diseases, and cancer. This progress not only proves the unique value of HNAPs in preclinical research but also highlights their high translational potential in clinical diagnosis.

Topics: Carbocyanines; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Inflammation; Infrared Rays; Intestinal Diseases; Neoplasms; Optical Imaging; Skin Diseases

Topics: Animals; Benzimidazoles; Carbocyanines; Fluorescent Dyes; Gene Expression Regulation; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Lipopolysaccharides; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mitochondria; Models, Biological; NF-kappa B; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Organophosphorus Compounds; Phenanthridines; RAW 264.7 Cells; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Xanthine Dehydrogenase

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a cerebrovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity, and the effective treatment is still lacking. We designed this study to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of melatonin on the secondary brain injury (SBI) after ICH. An in vivo ICH model was induced via autologous whole blood injection into the right basal ganglia in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Primary rat cortical neurons were treated with oxygen hemoglobin (OxyHb) as an in vitro ICH model. The results of the in vivo study showed that melatonin alleviated severe brain edema and behavior disorders induced by ICH. Indicators of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, DNA damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondria damage showed a significant increase after ICH, while melatonin reduced their levels. Meanwhile, melatonin promoted further increasing of expression levels of antioxidant indicators induced by ICH. Microscopically, TUNEL and Nissl staining showed that melatonin reduced the numbers of ICH-induced apoptotic cells. Inflammation and DNA damage indicators exhibited an identical pattern compared to those above. Additionally, the in vitro study demonstrated that melatonin reduced the apoptotic neurons induced by OxyHb and protected the mitochondrial membrane potential. Collectively, our investigation showed that melatonin ameliorated ICH-induced SBI by impacting apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, brain edema, and BBB damage and reducing mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore opening, and melatonin may be a potential therapeutic agent of ICH.

Topics: Animals; Annexin A5; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Benzimidazoles; Brain Edema; Brain Injuries; Carbocyanines; Cerebral Cortex; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Disease Models, Animal; DNA Damage; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Inflammation; Male; Melatonin; Mitochondrial Diseases; Neurons; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rhodamines; Time Factors

Neutrophils represent the most abundant immune cells recruited to inflamed tissues. A lack of dedicated tools has hampered their detection and study. We show that a synthesized peptide, MUB

Topics: Adult; Animals; Biomarkers; Carbocyanines; Dysentery, Bacillary; Female; Fluorescent Dyes; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Peptides; Rabbits; Shigella

Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) targeting multimodal probe cFLFLFK-MHI-DOTA for leukocyte based inflammation imaging is described. The compound consists of three domains, (a) cFLFLF peptide for FPR1 recognition and binding for activated leukocyte, (b) heptamethine cyanine dye (MHI) for near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) detection and imaging, and (c) metal chelator DOTA ligand that could form complex with a radiometal for nuclear (PET/SPECT) imaging or with a paramagnetic metal for MRI imaging. Detailed synthesis, characterization and in vitro evaluation are reported. The availability of dual mode inflammation imaging probe would allow in vivo gross level imaging of inflammation foci as well as ex vivo microscopic level cellular imaging for role played by innate immune cells in inflamed tissue.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Contrast Media; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Metals; Mice; Oligopeptides; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiography; Receptors, Formyl Peptide; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging agents are promising tools for noninvasive cancer imaging. Here, we explored the tumor-specific targeting ability of NIRF heptamethine carbocyanine MHI-148 dye in cultured gastric cancer cells, gastric cancer cell-derived and patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models. We show that the NIRF dye specifically accumulated in tumor regions of both xenograft models, suggesting the potential utility of the dye for tumor-specific imaging and targeting in gastric cancer. We also demonstrated significant correlations between NIRF signal intensity and tumor volume in PDX models. Mechanistically, the higher cellular uptake of MHI-148 in gastric cancer cells than in normal cells was stimulated by hypoxia and activation of a group of organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) genes. Importantly, this NIRF dye was not retained in inflammatory stomach tissues induced by gastric ulcer in mice. In addition, fresh clinical gastric tumor specimens, when perfused with NIR dye, exhibited increased uptake of NIR dye in situ. Together, these results show the possibility of using NIRF dyes as novel candidate agents for clinical imaging and detection of gastric cancer.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Cell Line, Tumor; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Neoplasm Transplantation; Optical Imaging; Stomach Neoplasms

Tumors recruit and reprogram immune cells to support tumor development and spread, the most prominent among them being of monocytic origin such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) or myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). The alarmin S100A8/A9 has been implicated in the induction of TAM and MDSC. We assessed S100A9 as a molecular imaging marker for the activity of tumor-associated immune cells in a syngeneic murine breast cancer model. S100A9 could serve as a surrogate marker for tumor immune crosstalk as a function of malignancy, providing a tool with the potential for both basic research in tumor immunology and clinical stratification of patients.. BALB/c mice were inoculated with murine breast cancer cells of common origin but different metastatic capability. At different times during tumor development, optical imaging was performed using a S100A9-specific probe to visualize activated monocytes. To further explore the impact of tumor-educated monocytes, splenic myeloid cells were isolated from either healthy or tumor-bearing animals and injected into tumor-bearing mice. We analyzed the effect of the cell transfer on immune cell activity and tumor development.. We could prove S100A9-driven imaging to sensitively and specifically reflect monocyte activity in primary tumor lesions. The imaging results were corroborated by histology and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses. In a prospective experiment, S100A9 imaging proved indicative of the individual tumor growth, with excellent correlation. Moreover, we could show that the monocyte activity as depicted by S100A9 activity in the primary tumor lesion mirrored the tumor's metastatic behavior. Treatment with tumor-primed splenic monocytes induced increased tumor growth, accompanied by an augmented infiltration of activated myeloid cells (MDSC and TAM) into the tumor. The consecutive S100A9 expression as depicted by in vivo imaging was significantly increased.. S100A9 proved to be a sensitive and specific marker for the activity of tumor-associated immune cells. To our knowledge, S100A9 imaging represents a first in vivo imaging approach for the estimation of recruitment and activity of tumor-associated myeloid immune cells. We demonstrated the potential value of this imaging approach for prediction of local and systemic tumor development.

Topics: Animals; Calgranulin B; Carbocyanines; Cell Communication; Cell Proliferation; Diagnostic Imaging; Female; Inflammation; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Macrophages; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Monocytes; Myeloid Cells; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Transplantation; Optics and Photonics; Rats

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is expressed by myeloid cells for the purpose of catalyzing the formation of hypochlorous acid, from chloride ions and reaction with a hydrogen peroxide-charged heme covalently bound to the enzyme. Most peroxidase enzymes both plant and mammalian are inhibited by benzoic acid hydrazide (BAH)-containing compounds, but the mechanism underlying MPO inhibition by BAH compounds is largely unknown. Recently, we reported MPO inhibition by BAH and 4-(trifluoromethyl)-BAH was due to hydrolysis of the ester bond between MPO heavy chain glutamate 242 ((HC)Glu(242)) residue and the heme pyrrole A ring, freeing the heme linked light chain MPO subunit from the larger remaining heavy chain portion. Here we probed the structure and function relationship behind this ester bond cleavage using a panel of BAH analogs to gain insight into the constraints imposed by the MPO active site and channel leading to the buried protoporphyrin IX ring. In addition, we show evidence that destruction of the heme ring does not occur by tracking the heme prosthetic group and provide evidence that the mechanism of hydrolysis follows a potential attack of the (HC)Glu(242) carbonyl leading to a rearrangement causing the release of the vinyl-sulfonium linkage between (HC)Met(243) and the pyrrole A ring.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Aniline Compounds; Animals; Benzoic Acid; Carbocyanines; Catalytic Domain; Cattle; Electrons; Enzyme Inhibitors; Fluorescent Dyes; Free Radicals; Glutamic Acid; Heme; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Inflammation; Lysine; Mass Spectrometry; Methionine; Molecular Conformation; Molecular Sequence Data; Neutrophils; Oxygen; Peroxidase; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Effective blood-brain tumor barrier penetration and uniform solid tumor distribution can significantly enhance therapeutic delivery to brain tumors. Hydroxyl-functionalized, generation-4 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, with their small size, near-neutral surface charge, and the ability to selectively localize in cells associated with neuroinflammation may offer new opportunities to address these challenges. In this study we characterized the intracranial tumor biodistribution of systemically delivered PAMAM dendrimers in an intracranial rodent gliosarcoma model using fluorescence-based quantification methods and high resolution confocal microscopy. We observed selective and homogeneous distribution of dendrimer throughout the solid tumor (∼6 mm) and peritumoral area within fifteen minutes after systemic administration, with subsequent accumulation and retention in tumor associated microglia/macrophages (TAMs). Neuroinflammation and TAMs have important growth promoting and pro-invasive effects in brain tumors. The rapid clearance of systemically administered dendrimers from major organs promises minimal off-target adverse effects of conjugated drugs. Therefore, selective delivery of immunomodulatory molecules to TAM, using hydroxyl PAMAM dendrimers, may hold promise for therapy of glioblastoma.

Topics: Animals; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain Neoplasms; Carbocyanines; Dendrimers; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Female; Glioblastoma; Gliosarcoma; Inflammation; Macrophages; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Tissue Distribution

The iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO), approved for the treatment of iron overload, has been examined as a therapeutic in a variety of conditions which iron may exacerbate. To evaluate the potential of DFO-bearing PEG-like nanoprobes (DFO-PNs) as therapeutics, we determined their pharmacokinetics (PK) in normal mice, and imaged their accumulation in a tumor model and in models of transient brain ischemia and inflammation. DFO-PNs consist of a DFO, a Cy5.5, and PEG (5 kDa or 30 kDa) attached to Lys-Cys scaffold. Tumor uptake of a [(89)Zr]:DFO-PN(10) (30 kDa PEG, diameter 10 nm) was imaged by PET, surface fluorescence, and fluorescence microscopy. DFO-PN(10) was internalized by tumor cells (fluorescence microscopy) and by cultured cells (by FACS). [(89)Zr]:DFO-PN(4.3) (5 kDa PEG, diameter 4.3 nm) concentrated at incision generated inflammations but not at sites of transient brain ischemia. DFO-PNs are fluorescent, PK tunable forms of DFO that might be investigated as antitumor or anti-inflammatory agents.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Brain Ischemia; Carbocyanines; Cell Line, Tumor; Deferoxamine; Female; Inflammation; Iron Chelating Agents; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Nanostructures; Neoplasms; Optical Imaging; Polyethylene Glycols; Positron-Emission Tomography; Rats; Rats, Wistar

The establishment of novel molecular imaging tools to monitor the local activity of inflammation remains an interdisciplinary challenge. Our target, the alarmin S100A9, one subunit of the heterodimer S100A8/S100A9 (calprotectin), is locally secreted in high concentrations from immigrated and activated phagocytes at local sites of inflammation. Calprotectin is already a well established serum biomarker for many inflammatory disorders. Here we show the development and first evaluation of the novel S100A9 specific molecular imaging probe for optical imaging of local inflammatory activity in vivo.

Topics: Calgranulin B; Carbocyanines; Fluorescent Dyes; Inflammation; Ligands; Molecular Imaging

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gaseous signaling agent mediated by many physiological processes and diseases. In order to explore its role in biological signaling, much effort has been focused on developing organic fluorescent probes to image H2S. However, these downconversion H2S probes are impractical for bio-imaging beyond a certain depth because of the short tissue penetration of UV/visible light (as an excitation source). In most circumstance, these probes are also not suitable for long-term assay due to photo-bleaching. Herein, a new design to detect H2S based on the coumarin-hemicyanine (CHC1)-modified upconversion nanophosphors is reported. This inorganic-organic integrated nanoprobe is demonstrated to display a fast response time with a large ratiometric upconversion luminescence (UCL) enhancement, and extraordinary photo-stability. CHC1-UCNPs not only can be used for ratiometric UCL monitoring of pseudo-enzymatic H2S production in living cells, but can also be used to identify the risk of endotoxic shock through ratiometric UCL imaging of tissue and measurement of endogenous H2S levels in plasma. The first ratiometric UCL H2S nanoprobe reported here may be further developed as the next-generation diagnostic tool for the detection of inflammatory-related diseases.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Coumarins; Disease Models, Animal; Fluorescent Dyes; HeLa Cells; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Luminescence; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Mice; Mice, Nude; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanoparticles; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Shock, Septic; Signal Transduction; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared

Inflammation has a key role in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. The early detection, localization and monitoring of inflammation are crucial for tailoring individual therapies. However, reliable biomarkers to detect local inflammatory activities and to predict disease outcome are still missing. Alarmins, which are locally released during cellular stress, are early amplifiers of inflammation. Here, using optical molecular imaging, we demonstrate that the alarmin S100A8/S100A9 serves as a sensitive local and systemic marker for the detection of even sub-clinical disease activity in inflammatory and immunological processes like irritative and allergic contact dermatitis. In a model of collagen-induced arthritis, we use S100A8/S100A9 imaging to predict the development of disease activity. Furthermore, S100A8/S100A9 can act as a very early and sensitive biomarker in experimental leishmaniasis for phagocyte activation linked to an effective Th1-response. In conclusion, the alarmin S100A8/S100A9 is a valuable and sensitive molecular target for novel imaging approaches to monitor clinically relevant inflammatory disorders on a molecular level.

Topics: Animals; Arthritis; Biomarkers; Calgranulin A; Calgranulin B; Carbocyanines; Collagen; Dermatitis, Contact; Female; Fluorine Radioisotopes; Hypersensitivity; Inflammation; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Molecular Imaging; Phagocytes; Positron-Emission Tomography; Th1 Cells; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Inhalation of airborne particulate matter (PM), such as silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), induces acute lung inflammation. siRNA therapy has been proposed as a method to repair acute lung inflammation. To determine whether DEXA-PEI/MIF siRNA contributes to SiO2-induced acute lung inflammation repair, we administered Dexa-PEI/MIF siRNA in SiO2-treated Beas-2b cells and instilled DEXA-PEI-MIF siRNA intratracheally in mice with SiO2-induced acute lung inflammation. Using genetic (MIF mRNA RT-PCR), histological (H&E and PAS) and immunohistochemical (MIF and Muc5ac) analyses, we estimated the acute lung inflammation in Beas-2b cells and BALB/c mice. Cells and mice treated with SiO2 particles demonstrated pulmonary inflammation. DEXA-PEI/MIF siRNA restricted the extent of the pulmonary inflammation reaction to SiO2 in cells and mice. In case of SiO2-treated Beas-2b cells, only DEXA-PEI treatment failed to effectively regulate MIF mRNA release. At the same time, only DEXA-PEI treatment adjusted the amount of MIF mRNA to some extent in SiO2-treated BALB/c mice. siRNA treatment did not markedly control MIF mRNA release in mice. We also observed that the amount of MIF mRNA was decreased in cells and mice treated with DEXA-PEI/MIF siRNA. The increase of MIF mRNA markedly increased Muc5ac; in contrast, the decrease of MIF mRNA using DEXA-PEI/MIF siRNA effectively lowered Muc5ac in SiO2-treated cells and mice. These results suggest that DEXA-PEI plays a role in delivering siRNA to the nucleus as a carrier and limits the extent of acute lung inflammation. MIF siRNA also contributed to the reparative lung response in SiO2-induced pulmonary inflammation.

Topics: Animals; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Carbocyanines; Dexamethasone; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Humans; Inflammation; Lung; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mucin 5AC; Particulate Matter; Polyethyleneimine; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Small Interfering; Static Electricity; Transfection

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in various pathological conditions including cutaneous inflammation. Thus far, serial assessment of MMP activity in ongoing inflammation is hampered due to technical limitations. Here, we present an innovative method for longitudinal detection of MMP activity by in vivo imaging. First, we analysed skin sections from patients suffering from leucocytoclastic vasculitis (LcV) and detected a significant MMP signal via immunofluorescence staining. Then, we mimicked LcV in mice in a well-studied model of immune complex-mediated vasculitis (ICV). This acute inflammatory process was serially visualized in vivo using the fluorescence-labelled MMP tracer Cy5.5-AF443. The deposition of fluorescence-labelled immune complexes and MMP tracer distribution was visualized repeatedly and non-invasively by fluorescence reflectance imaging. In correlation with the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in immunofluorescence stainings, Cy5.5-AF443 accumulated in ICV spots in the skin of C57BL/6 mice. This tracer accumulation could also be observed in mice equipped with a dorsal skinfold chamber, where microscopic observations revealed an increased recruitment of fluorescence-labelled leucocytes during ICV. The specificity of the MMP tracer was supported by (i) analysis of mice deficient in functional β2 -integrins (CD18(-/-) ) and (ii) subsequent MMP immunofluorescence staining. These findings let us conclude that MMP accumulation in the acute phase of ICV depends on β2 -mediated leucocyte recruitment. In summary, we show that MMPs are involved in ICV as determined by Cy5.5-AF443, a new optical marker to longitudinally and non-invasively follow MMP activity in acute skin inflammation in vivo.

Topics: Animals; Arthus Reaction; Carbocyanines; CD18 Antigens; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microcirculation; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Molecular Imaging; Neutrophils; Skin; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous

In order to clarify the peripheral mechanisms of ectopic persistent pain in a tooth pulp following pulpal inflammation of an adjacent tooth, masseter muscle activity, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (pERK) and TRPV1 immunohistochemistries and satellite cell activation using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) were studied in the rats with molar tooth-pulp inflammation. And, Fluorogold (FG) and DiI were also used in a neuronal tracing study to analyze if some TG neurons innervate more than one tooth pulp. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or saline was applied into the upper first molar tooth pulp (M1) in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, and capsaicin was applied into the upper second molar tooth pulp (M2) on day 3 after the CFA or saline application. Mean EMG activity elicited in the masseter muscle by capsaicin application to M2 was significantly larger in M1 CFA-applied rats compared with M1 vehicle-applied rats. The mean number of pERK-immunoreactive (IR) TG cells was significantly larger in M1 CFA-applied rats compared with M1 vehicle-applied rats. Application of the satellite cell inhibitor fluorocitrate (FC) into TG caused a significant depression of capsaicin-induced masseter muscle activity and a significant reduction of satellite cell activation. The number of TRPV1-IR TG cells innervating M2 was significantly larger in M1 CFA-applied rats compared with M1 vehicle-applied rats, and that was decreased following FC injection into TG. Furthermore, 6% of TG neurons innervating M1 and/or M2 innervated both M1 and M2. These findings suggest that satellite cell activation following tooth pulp inflammation and innervation of multiple tooth pulps by single TG neurons may be involved in the enhancement of the activity of TG neurons innervating adjacent non-inflamed teeth that also show enhancement of TRPV1 expression in TG neurons, resulting in the ectopic persistent tooth-pulp pain following pulpal inflammation of adjacent teeth.

Topics: Animals; Capsaicin; Carbocyanines; Citrates; Dental Pulp; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Freund's Adjuvant; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Inflammation; Male; Masseter Muscle; Models, Biological; Molar; Neurons; Phosphorylation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle; Stilbamidines; Toothache; Trigeminal Ganglion; TRPV Cation Channels

The purpose of this study was to use a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent cyclic His-Try-Gly-Phe peptide to characterize and image the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are correlated with cancer promotion, in an inflammation-induced colorectal cancer (ICRC) model. We explored the relationship between the development of colon cancer and the expression of MMPs at the same colonic sites in ICRC models. To develop ICRC models, mice were administered a single intraperitoneal dose (10 mg/kg) of azoxymethane (AOM) and exposed orally to 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for one week. MMP-2 expression and β-catenin activation in colonic lesions were characterized by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. After being treated with inducers for some time, cancerous lesions were found to express high β-catenin and MMP-2. The profiles of MMP expression were correlated with β-catenin activation in the colonic lesions. c(KAHWGFTLD)NH(2) (C6) peptide was prepared by standard Fmoc peptide synthesis to target MMPs. Molecular weight of Cy5.5-C6 was 1,954.78 g/mol (calculated MW = 1955.23 g/mol). The in vitro characterization of Cy5.5-C6 showed MMP binding specificity in a cell experiment. In vivo NIRF imaging showed high accumulation of Cy5.5-C6 in tumors with associated expression of MMP-2 in colonic lesions after intravenous injection. The MMP-2 specificity of Cy5.5-C6 was confirmed by successful inhibition of probe uptake in the tumor due to the presence of excess C6 peptide. The use of Cy5.5-C6 to target MMP-2 has the potential to be developed into an effective molecular imaging agent to monitor ICRC progress.

Topics: Animals; Azoxymethane; beta Catenin; Blotting, Western; Carbocyanines; Carcinogens; Colonic Neoplasms; Dextran Sulfate; Diagnostic Imaging; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Inflammation; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Peptide Fragments

A neutrophil-binding peptide, cinnamoyl-F(D)LF(D)LF (cFLFLF), was labeled with the near infrared (NIR) fluorophore, Cyanine 7 (Cy7). This construct was modified with a polyethylene glycol (PEG, M(W) 3.4 kDa) moiety in order to increase its solubility and bioavailability to circulating neutrophils. A preliminary noninvasive fluorescence imaging of a mouse model of ear inflammation with the fluorescent probe is presented.

Topics: Animals; Benzothiazoles; Biological Availability; Carbocyanines; Diagnostic Imaging; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes; Inflammation; Infrared Rays; Mice; Neutrophils; Polyethylene Glycols; Solubility

Angiogenesis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disorders. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors are the most important regulators of angiogenesis. We wished to determine whether labeled forms of single-chain VEGF (scVEGF) could be used to image VEGF receptors in a well-characterized model of sterile soft-tissue inflammation induced by intramuscular injection of turpentine.. Anesthetized adult male Swiss-Webster mice received a 20-microL intramuscular injection of turpentine into the right thigh. At 4, 7, or 10 d later, groups of 3-5 mice were injected via the tail vein with 50 microg of either scVEGF that had been site specifically labeled with Cy5.5 (scVEGF/Cy) or inactivated scVEGF/Cy (inVEGF/Cy) and then examined by fluorescence imaging. At 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, or 12 d, additional groups of 3-5 mice were injected via the tail vein with 74-111 MBq of (99m)Tc-scVEGF (or (99m)Tc-inVEGF) and then examined by SPECT imaging.. On days 3 through 10, both forms of scVEGF (scVEGF/Cy and (99m)Tc-scVEGF) showed significantly higher uptake (P < 0.05) in the right (abscessed) thigh than in the contralateral thigh (and higher uptake than the inactivated tracer). Peak uptake occurred on day 7 (3.67 +/- 1.79 [ratio of uptake in abscessed thigh to uptake in normal thigh, mean +/- SD] and 0.72 +/- 0.01 for scVEGF/Cy and inVEGF/Cy, respectively, and 3.49 +/- 1.22 and 1.04 +/- 0.41 for (99m)Tc-scVEGF and (99m)Tc-inVEGF, respectively) and slowly decreased thereafter. Autoradiography revealed peak tracer uptake in the thick irregular angiogenic rim of the abscess cavity on day 9 (5.83 x 10(-7) +/- 9.22 x 10(-8) and 5.85 x 10(-8) +/- 5.95 x 10(-8) percentage injected dose per pixel for (99m)Tc-scVEGF and (99m)Tc-inVEGF, respectively); in comparison, a thin circumscribed rim of uptake was seen with (99m)Tc-inVEGF. Immunostaining revealed that VEGFR-2 (VEGF receptor) colocalized with CD31 (endothelial cell marker) at all time points in the abscess rim, whereas F4/80 (macrophage) immunostaining reached a maximum at day 7 and decreased by day 10.. The uptake of scVEGF in turpentine-induced abscesses was specific and directly related to VEGFR-2 expression in the neovasculature of the angiogenic rim. Peak tracer uptake coincided with maximum macrophage infiltration, suggesting that scVEGF imaging may be useful for the detection, localization, and monitoring of chronic inflammation in bone, joints, or soft tissues.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Fluorescent Dyes; Inflammation; Injections, Intramuscular; Isotope Labeling; Male; Mice; Molecular Imaging; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Reproducibility of Results; Thigh; Turpentine

Brain inflammation is a hallmark of stroke, where it has been implicated in tissue damage as well as in repair. Imaging technologies that specifically visualize these processes are highly desirable. In this study, we explored whether the inflammatory receptor CD40 can be noninvasively and specifically visualized in mice after cerebral ischemia using a fluorescent monoclonal antibody, which we labeled with the near-infrared fluorescence dye Cy5.5 (Cy5.5-CD40MAb).. Wild-type and CD40-deficient mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Mice were either intravenously injected with Cy5.5-CD40MAb or control Cy5.5-IgGMAb. Noninvasive and ex vivo near-infrared fluorescence imaging was performed after injection of the compounds. Probe distribution and specificity was further assessed with single-plane illumination microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy.. Significantly higher fluorescence intensities over the stroke-affected hemisphere, compared to the contralateral side, were only detected noninvasively in wild-type mice that received Cy5.5-CD40MAb, but not in CD40-deficient mice injected with Cy5.5-CD40MAb or in wild-type mice that were injected with Cy5.5-IgGMAb. Ex vivo near-infrared fluorescence showed an intense fluorescence within the ischemic territory only in wild-type mice injected with Cy5.5-CD40MAb. In the brains of these mice, single-plane illumination microscopy demonstrated vascular and parenchymal distribution, and confocal microscopy revealed a partial colocalization of parenchymal fluorescence from the injected Cy5.5-CD40MAb with activated microglia and blood-derived cells in the ischemic region.. The study demonstrates that a CD40-targeted fluorescent antibody enables specific noninvasive detection of the inflammatory receptor CD40 after cerebral ischemia using optical techniques.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Brain Ischemia; Carbocyanines; CD40 Antigens; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Fluorescent Dyes; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammation; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Fluorescence

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Brain Ischemia; Carbocyanines; CD40 Antigens; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Fluorescent Dyes; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammation; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Molecular Probe Techniques

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) cannot regenerate their axons after injury and undergo apoptosis soon after an intraorbital injury of the optic nerve. However, RGCs reactivate their axonal growth program when inflammatory reactions occur in the eye, which enables them to survive axotomy and to regenerate lengthy axons into the lesioned optic nerve. Lens injury (LI) and zymosan injections can induce these beneficial processes and provoke also a strong accumulation of activated macrophages in the vitreous body. It has recently been suggested that macrophage-derived oncomodulin is the principal mediator of this phenomenon. We show here that oncomodulin is not significantly expressed in primary macrophages and that the intraocular levels of this protein do not increase after LI or zymosan treatment. Furthermore, greatly reducing the invasion of macrophages into the inner eye does not diminish the neuroprotective effects of LI, but rather increases axon regeneration into the optic nerve. Axon regeneration is correlated with the activation of retinal astrocytes and Müller cells. Our data suggest that intraocular inflammation mediates its main beneficial effects through factors other than oncomodulin and that the underlying mechanism might be independent of the presence of activated macrophages.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Antigens, CD; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Carbocyanines; Cell Line, Transformed; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Inflammation; Lens, Crystalline; Macrophages; Nerve Regeneration; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Optic Nerve Diseases; Organ Culture Techniques; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Time Factors; Transfection; Zymosan

We prepared the liposome binding Sialyl Lewis X (SLX) on the surface in order to specifically and efficiently deliver substances (fluorescent materials, chemical substances, proteins, genes, etc.) to inflammation or tumor regions. The liposome with SLX (SLX-Lipo-Cy5.5), in which fluorescent substance Cy5.5 was included, was administered intravenously to arthritis or Ehrlich Ascites Tumor (EAT) bearing mouse, and the accumulation of liposome was observed using two types of in vivo fluorescent imaging equipment. The result was that the accumulation of SLX-Lipo-Cy5.5 to inflammation or tumor regions was significantly higher than the control liposome without sugar chain (Lipo-Cy5.5) at 24 and 48 h after administration. In addition, it was confirmed that this accumulation showed a shift of liposome from blood vessels to the surrounding tissues. Thus, it was proven that this liposome is useful not only as an in vivo bio-imaging reagent but also as a drug delivery system (DDS).

Topics: Animals; Arthritis, Experimental; Carbocyanines; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor; Female; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes; Inflammation; Lewis Blood Group Antigens; Liposomes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Oligosaccharides; Sialyl Lewis X Antigen

The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is a trans-mitochondrial membrane protein that modulates steroid biosynthesis. Recently, up-regulation and nuclear localization of PBR has been shown to be associated with colon, prostate, and breast cancer. PBR has been targeted by the exogenous synthetic ligand, PK11195, for various purposes including imaging. To capitalize on these observations, we developed a high-throughput, noninvasive, in vivo imaging approach to detect spontaneously arising colonic tumors in mice using a novel PBR-targeted molecular imaging agent (NIR-conPK11195). NIR-conPK11195 localized and was retained in colonic adenomas and carcinomas in Smad3(-/-) mice but not in non-neoplastic hamartomas or chronically inflamed colonic tissue. Using a fluorescence signal-to-noise ratio of > or =4-fold 13 h after injection of the agent, we detected colonic tumors with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 86% in a cohort of 37 Smad3(-/-) mice and control littermates. Furthermore, using oral administration of dextran sulfate to induce colonic inflammation, we showed that the clearance profile of NIR-conPK11195 distinguished transient uptake in inflammatory tissue from longer term retention in tumors. Taken together, these results indicate that NIR-conPK11195 is a promising optical molecular imaging tool to rapidly screen for colonic tumors in mice and to discriminate inflammation from cancer.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carbocyanines; Colonic Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Fluorescent Dyes; Inflammation; Isoquinolines; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Molecular Structure; Receptors, GABA-A; Smad3 Protein; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Staining and Labeling

Globoid cell leukodystrophy or Krabbe disease (KD), is a hereditary disorder caused by galactosylceramidase deficiency. Progressive accumulation of psychosine is considered to be the critical pathogenetic mechanism of cell death in the Krabbe brain. Psychosine mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. It seems to induce apoptosis in oligodendrocytes through a mitochondrial pathway and to up-regulate inflammatory cytokines production resulting in oligodendrocyte loss. Our aim was to evaluate the role of psychosine in apoptotic cell death and inflammatory response in a group of patients affected by KD using peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a cellular model. PBLs from KP and healthy controls were exposed to 20 microM psychosine and analysed by flow cytometry, agarose gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy. Our results showed that psychosine induces apoptosis in PBLs through a mitochondrial pathway, but the apoptotic response was quite low especially KP. The role of psychosine in the up-regulation of cytokines (TNFalpha, IL8 and MCP1) has been evaluated by ELISA in PBMCs from KP and controls after stimulation with LPS and phytohemagglutinin. Both in basal condition and after LPS stimulation, cells from KP showed a significant increase in TNF-alpha production, reduced MCP1 levels and no modification in IL8. These results indicate that lymphomonocytes from KP had a basal proinflammatory pattern that was amplified by psychosine. In conclusion, the reduced apoptotic response and the atypical cytokine production observed in our experiments, suggest an involvement of inflammatory pattern in immune peripheral cells of KP.

Topics: Adult; Annexin A5; Apoptosis; Benzimidazoles; Carbocyanines; Case-Control Studies; Caspases; Cells, Cultured; Chemokine CCL2; Cytokines; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukin-8; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Leukodystrophy, Globoid Cell; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mitochondria; Phytohemagglutinins; Psychosine; Time Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Several painful conditions, including temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are more prevalent and more severe in women than in men. Although the physiological basis for this sex difference remains to be determined, it is likely that estrogen is an underlying factor. The present study was performed to test the hypotheses that estrogen increases the excitability of rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) afferents and exacerbates the inflammation-induced sensitization of these sensory neurons. Retrogradely labeled TMJ neurons from ovariectomized rats and ovariectomized rats receiving chronic estrogen replacement were studied using whole cell patch-clamp techniques three days after injecting the TMJ with either saline or Complete Freund's Adjuvant to induce inflammation. Excitability was assessed with depolarizing current injection to determine action potential threshold, rheobase, and the response to suprathreshold stimuli. Spontaneous activity was also assessed. Both inflammation and estrogen increased the excitability of TMJ neurons as reflected by decreases in action potential threshold and rheobase and increases in the incidence of spontaneous activity. The effects were additive with neurons from rats receiving both estrogen and inflammation being the most excitable. The increases in excitability were associated with changes in passive properties and action potential waveform, suggesting that estrogen and inflammation affect the expression and/or properties of ion channels in TMJ neurons. Importantly, the influence of estrogen on both baseline and inflammation-induced changes in TMJ neuronal excitability may help explain the profound sex difference observed in TMD as well as suggest a novel target for the treatment of this pain condition.

Topics: Action Potentials; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Capsaicin; Carbocyanines; Cell Count; Cell Size; Cells, Cultured; Chi-Square Distribution; Electric Capacitance; Electric Stimulation; Estrogens; Female; Freund's Adjuvant; Glycoproteins; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammation; Lectins; Membrane Potentials; Neurofilament Proteins; Neurons, Afferent; Ovariectomy; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Radioimmunoassay; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Temporomandibular Joint; Trigeminal Ganglion; Versicans

Microglial activation is believed to play a pivotal role in the selective neuronal injury associated with several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease. We provide evidence that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major monomer of green tea polyphenols, potently inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglial secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) through the down-regulation of inducible NO synthase and TNF-alpha expression. In addition, EGCG exerted significant protection against microglial activation-induced neuronal injury both in the human dopaminergic cell line SH-SY5Y and in primary rat mesencephalic cultures. Our study demonstrates that EGCG is a potent inhibitor of microglial activation and thus is a useful candidate for a therapeutic approach to alleviating microglia-mediated dopaminergic neuronal injury in PD.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antioxidants; Blotting, Western; Carbocyanines; Catechin; Cell Count; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media, Conditioned; Dopamine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Microglia; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Neuroblastoma; Neurons; Nitric Oxide; Rats; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles; Time Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

The receptiveness of the brain to monocyte infiltration was studied in rats that had been injected intracerebrally with Corynebacterium parvum. At 0-17 days after intracerebral injection and 18 h after intravenous injection of diI-labeled isogenous mononuclear cells, host rats were sacrificed and cells from the vicinity of the injection site and from the contralateral cerebral hemisphere were dissociated and analyzed by flow cytometry. In rats sacrificed 4-11 days postinjection of C. parvum, diI-labeled mononuclear cells were detected in cell preparations from the hemisphere ipsilateral and, to a lesser extent, contralateral to the injection site. No extravasation of cells from the blood to the brain was detected in rats injected intracerebrally with saline. By immunohistochemistry, many macrophages were detected in the hemisphere ipsilateral to injection of C. parvum. In additional experiments, the dissociated CNS cell population was labeled with OX-42 antibodies to the type 3 complement receptor, which is present on monocytes but not lymphocytes. Some cells in the brain were labeled with both diI and OX-42 and therefore were identified as monocytes that had entered the brain from the blood. In conclusion, monocytes can home to both sides of the brain after unilateral injection of a strong inflammatory agent but monocyte infiltration into the brain is delayed in comparison to monocyte inflammatory responses that have been reported in nonneural tissues.

Topics: Adoptive Transfer; Animals; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Surface; Avian Proteins; Basigin; Blood Proteins; Brain; Carbocyanines; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Dyes; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Inflammation; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Monocytes; Propionibacterium acnes; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Reproducibility of Results; Time Factors

We have examined the migration of murine macrophages from the vascular compartment to normal and inflammatory tissues by the adoptive transfer of resident peritoneal macrophages (RPM phi) fluorescently labeled with the hydrophobic dye 1,1'-dioctadecyl 3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI). After initial labeling of the plasma membrane of RPM phi, the dye accumulated stably in intracellular vesicles of low density (rho = 1.042-1.045 kg/l) and cells remained viable in culture for 4 weeks. Like the normal monocyte, DiI-RPM phi, but not exudate-derived or fixed cells, migrated to peritoneal exudates, following i.v. adoptive transfer, by a mechanism inhibitable by an antibody to the type 3 complement receptor. In the absence of an inflammatory stimulus there was no migration to the peritoneal cavity, and DiI-RPM phi accumulated within 4 h in the red pulp and marginal zone of the spleen. By day 6 these cells still formed a tight ring of fluorescence in the marginal zone alone, outside the marginal metallophil cells. DiI-RPM phi injected into the peritoneal cavity migrated to the parathymic lymph nodes where they were found in the subcapsular sinus and in the medullary cords, whereas very few fluorescent cells could be found in the T cell areas. The migration of RPM phi to lymphoid organs required viable cells but, unlike the recruitment of cells to peritoneal exudates, was not inhibitable by antibodies to CR3. We conclude that the RPM phi is a useful surrogate for the analysis of constitutive and induced monocyte migration to secondary lymphoid and inflammatory sites, respectively.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Cell Movement; Female; Fluorescent Dyes; Immunization, Passive; Inflammation; Lymphoid Tissue; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Peritoneal Cavity

We have studied Microciona prolifera cells as a model for inflammation and secretion. Dissociated in Ca-, Mg-free seawater with 2.5 mM EDTA, the cells aggregate when exposed to Ca (greater than 5 mM) and Ca ionophores. Extracellular Ca is not required over the course of aggregation; brief pulses of Ca suffice. Aggregation was induced by A23187 in excess EDTA after cells were prepared by pulse Ca. It appeared that Ca ionophore stimulated the secretion of Microciona aggregation factor (MAF) to a locus or in a form inaccessible to external EDTA. Pulse-induced aggregation depended on MAF because it was inhibited by MAF fragments, which are ligands for MAF-binding sites. Sponge cells were preloaded with three fluorescent dyes that monitor aspects of stimulus-secretion coupling: 1) 3,3'-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (dis-C3-(5)), a carbocyanine dye presumed to report changes in membrane potential; 2) 9-aminoacridine (9AA), which presumably reports secretion from acid vesicles; and 3) chlortetracycline (CTC), presumed to report mobilization of membrane-associated Ca. Exposure of cells either to constant Ca or to pulse Ca stimuli caused prompt decreases in the fluorescence of cells with diS-C3-(5) and increases in fluorescence of cells with 9AA. In contrast, although constant Ca provoked decreases in fluorescence of cells with CTC, a pulse Ca was without effect. Moreover, inhibitors of stimulus-response coupling (e.g., aspirin, sodium salicylate, 5 mM; diclofenac, 100 microM) inhibited sponge aggregation induced by either constant or pulse stimuli. In contrast, like the endogenous mediator of inflammation, leukotriene B4, trienoic alkyl catechols (urushiol) from poison ivy provoked aggregation. These studies suggest the utility of this marine model for analysis of stimulus-response coupling in cells of higher species that also respond to secretagogues in the absence of external Ca.

Topics: Aminacrine; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzothiazoles; Calcimycin; Calcium; Carbocyanines; Catechols; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cell Aggregation; Chlortetracycline; Fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes; Inflammation; Porifera; Potassium; Proteins