CT IMAGING OF BLOOD VESSEL IN TRANSGENIC MOUSE MODELS FOR HUMAN TUMORS

该子项目是利用 由NIH/NCRR资助的中心赠款提供的资源。子项目和 研究者（PI）可能从另一个NIH来源获得主要资金， 因此可以在其他CRISP条目中表示。列出的机构是 中心，不一定是研究者的机构。 人类癌症的转基因小鼠模型具有比异种移植物更能反映人类癌症的潜力 因为转基因小鼠在原位形成肿瘤，即在与人类肿瘤更相似的环境中， 建立正常的免疫系统。小动物X射线计算机断层扫描（microCT）是一种经济、高度 用于临床前可视化血管和血管生成的定量三维方法， 小动物磁共振成像在这次合作中，我们正在制定实用的指导方针， 中等至大口径（大于93微米）血管的可视化，用于血管分布的连续评估 在活体小鼠的临床前治疗试验中。由于大多数小动物的扫描时间较长， 断层扫描仪器，我们使用长效血池造影剂。除了指导方针，我们还 进一步开发通过定性视觉效果图评估船只的工具。 相同的优化采集设置 将是分割分析所必需的，并且将允许定量分析肿瘤血容量，血管密度， 血管口径、分支程度和迂曲度。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Transgenic mouse models of human cancer have the potential to be more reflective of human cancers than xenograft models because transgenic mice form tumor in situ, i.e. in an environment more similar to the human tumor and in the setting of a normal immune system. Small animal X-ray computed tomography (microCT) is an economical and highly quantitative three-dimensional method for visualizing blood vessels and angiogenesis preclinically, even in comparison to small animal magnetic resonance imaging. In this collaboration, we are developing practical guidelines for rapid, accurate visualization of intermediate to large caliber (greater than 93 micron) blood vessels for serial assessment of vascularity during preclinical therapeutic trials in living mice. Because of the long scan times for most small animal computed tomography instruments, we are using a long-acting blood pool contrast agent. In addition to guidelines, we are also further developing tools to assess vessels through qualitative visual renderings. The same optimized acquisition settings will be necessary for segmentation analysis and will allow quantitative analysis of tumor blood volume, vessel density, vessel caliber, degree of branching, and tortuosity.