Magnetic resonance imaging for characterisation of a chick embryo model of cancer cell metastases

Herrmann, Anne ORCID: 0000-0002-0858-419X, Taylor, Arthur, Murray, Patricia ORCID: 0000-0003-1316-148X, Poptani, Harish ORCID: 0000-0002-0593-3235 and Sée, Violaine ORCID: 0000-0001-6384-8381 (2017) Magnetic resonance imaging for characterisation of a chick embryo model of cancer cell metastases. Molecular Imaging.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/223891

Abstract

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Metastasis is the most common cause of death for cancer patients, hence its study has rapidly expanded over the past few years. To fully understand all the steps involved in metastatic dissemination, <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> models are required, of which murine ones are the most common. Therefore pre-clinical imaging methods have mainly been developed for small mammals. However, the potential of preclinical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor cancer growth and metastasis in non-mammalian <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> models is not commonly used. We have here used MRI to measure primary neuroblastoma tumour size and presence of metastatic dissemination in a chick embryo model. We compared its sensitivity and accuracy to end-point fluorescence detection.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Human neuroblastoma cells were labelled with GFP and micron-sized iron particles (MPIOs) and implanted on the extraembryonic chorioallantoic membrane of the chick embryo at E7. T2 RARE, T2 weighted FLASH as well as time-of-flight MR angiography imaging was applied at E14. Primary tumours as well as metastatic deposits in the chick embryo were dissected post imaging to compare with MRI results.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>MPIO labelling of neuroblastoma cells allowed <jats:italic>in ovo</jats:italic> observation of the primary tumour and tumour volume measurement non-invasively over time. Moreover, T<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> weighted and FLASH imaging permitted the detection of very small metastatic deposits in the chick embryo.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>The use of contrast agents enabled the detection of metastatic deposits of neuroblastoma cells in a chick embryo model, thereby reinforcing the potential of this cost efficient and convenient, 3R compliant, <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> model for cancer research.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Item Type:	Article
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Nov 2019 14:57
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 00:18
DOI:	10.1101/223891
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1536012118809585
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3063860