The Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy to Gene Therapy

TY - CHAP

T1 - The Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy to Gene Therapy

AU - So, Po-Wah

AU - bhakoo, kishore k

AU - Cox, I Jane

AU - taylor-robinson, simon

AU - Bell, Jimmy D

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - There is an increasing interest in the use of in vivo imaging modalities, including MRI, PET, bioluminescence, ultrasound and CT to assess the efficacy of emerging therapeutic strategies. These non-invasive imaging techniques allow the possibility of detecting the in vivo expression and subsequent therapeutic changes of effector or marker transgenes. In the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), a variety of strategies are being developed for gene therapy applications, including the development of 'smart' contrast agents and cloning of cell-specific membrane transporters. These strategies have come about through the close collaboration between scientists from a variety of specialties, including chemistry, biochemistry, physics and molecular biology. In the case of smart contrast agents, chemists are developing compounds which are “biologically silent” in their innate state, but that are 'switched on' in response to physiological changes brought about by the action of specific gene products. These are currently being tested for use in intact cells, isolated organs and animal models. Similarly, the use of cell-specific membrane transporters is being assessed as a method to detect gene expression and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is also being developed as a potential non-invasive method to determine transgene expression indirectly by means of intracellular markers. These markers take the form of intracellular endogenous/exogenous metabolites associated with exogenous enzyme expression and function. Again, this technique will be applicable to a variety of different situations, from cell suspensions through to in vivo imaging in biological systems. However, the ultimate goal of this multidisciplinary approach is to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the patient with in vivo detection of gene therapy in man.

AB - There is an increasing interest in the use of in vivo imaging modalities, including MRI, PET, bioluminescence, ultrasound and CT to assess the efficacy of emerging therapeutic strategies. These non-invasive imaging techniques allow the possibility of detecting the in vivo expression and subsequent therapeutic changes of effector or marker transgenes. In the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), a variety of strategies are being developed for gene therapy applications, including the development of 'smart' contrast agents and cloning of cell-specific membrane transporters. These strategies have come about through the close collaboration between scientists from a variety of specialties, including chemistry, biochemistry, physics and molecular biology. In the case of smart contrast agents, chemists are developing compounds which are “biologically silent” in their innate state, but that are 'switched on' in response to physiological changes brought about by the action of specific gene products. These are currently being tested for use in intact cells, isolated organs and animal models. Similarly, the use of cell-specific membrane transporters is being assessed as a method to detect gene expression and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is also being developed as a potential non-invasive method to determine transgene expression indirectly by means of intracellular markers. These markers take the form of intracellular endogenous/exogenous metabolites associated with exogenous enzyme expression and function. Again, this technique will be applicable to a variety of different situations, from cell suspensions through to in vivo imaging in biological systems. However, the ultimate goal of this multidisciplinary approach is to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the patient with in vivo detection of gene therapy in man.

M3 - Chapter

SP - 373

EP - 397

BT - Essential Bioimaging Methods

A2 - Conn, P Michael

PB - Academic Press

ER -