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Cre/lox-assisted non-invasive in vivo tracking of specific cell populations by positron emission tomography

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Thunemann

    (University of Tübingen
    University of California San Diego)

  • Barbara F. Schörg

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Susanne Feil

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Yun Lin

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Jakob Voelkl

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Matthias Golla

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Angelos Vachaviolos

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Ursula Kohlhofer

    (University of Tübingen, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital)

  • Leticia Quintanilla-Martinez

    (University of Tübingen, and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital)

  • Marcus Olbrich

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Walter Ehrlichmann

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Gerald Reischl

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Christoph M. Griessinger

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Harald F. Langer

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Meinrad Gawaz

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Florian Lang

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Michael Schäfers

    (University of Münster)

  • Manfred Kneilling

    (University of Tübingen
    University of Tübingen)

  • Bernd J. Pichler

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Robert Feil

    (University of Tübingen)

Abstract

Many pathophysiological processes are associated with proliferation, migration or death of distinct cell populations. Monitoring specific cell types and their progeny in a non-invasive, longitudinal and quantitative manner is still challenging. Here we show a novel cell-tracking system that combines Cre/lox-assisted cell fate mapping with a thymidine kinase (sr39tk) reporter gene for cell detection by positron emission tomography (PET). We generate Rosa26-mT/sr39tk PET reporter mice and induce sr39tk expression in platelets, T lymphocytes or cardiomyocytes. As proof of concept, we demonstrate that our mouse model permits longitudinal PET imaging and quantification of T-cell homing during inflammation and cardiomyocyte viability after myocardial infarction. Moreover, Rosa26-mT/sr39tk mice are useful for whole-body characterization of transgenic Cre mice and to detect previously unknown Cre activity. We anticipate that the Cre-switchable PET reporter mice will be broadly applicable for non-invasive long-term tracking of selected cell populations in vivo.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Thunemann & Barbara F. Schörg & Susanne Feil & Yun Lin & Jakob Voelkl & Matthias Golla & Angelos Vachaviolos & Ursula Kohlhofer & Leticia Quintanilla-Martinez & Marcus Olbrich & Walter Ehrlichm, 2017. "Cre/lox-assisted non-invasive in vivo tracking of specific cell populations by positron emission tomography," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-00482-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00482-y
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