Studying the biodistribution of positron emission tomography reporter probes in mice NATURE PROTOCOLS Yaghoubi, S. S., Berger, F., Gambhir, S. S. 2007; 2 (7): 1752-1755

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) reporter probes (PRPs) are used to detect PET reporter gene (PRG) expression in living subjects. This article details protocols for analyzing the biodistribution of a PRP used to detect herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) or mutant HSV1-sr39tk PRG expression. However, the methods described are generalizable to other beta- or gamma/positron-emitting probes. Accumulation of PRPs in animal tissues can be determined by counting PRP activity of isolated tissues, whereas digital whole-body autoradiography (DWBA) provides high-resolution images of PRP biodistribution in 5- to 45-microm tissue slices of killed research animals at a single time point. Biodistribution assay results may be obtained in less than a week after beginning the assay, and DWBA image acquisitions can take up to 3 months depending on the probe's radioisotope.

View details for DOI 10.1038/nprot.2007.228

View details for Web of Science ID 000253139200020

View details for PubMedID 17641641