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

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 与异种移植相比，人类癌症转基因小鼠模型更能反映人类癌症。 模型，因为转基因小鼠在原位形成肿瘤，即在更类似于人类肿瘤的环境中，在 正常免疫系统的设置。小动物X射线计算机断层扫描(MicroCT)是一种经济、高效的 临床前血管和血管生成的定量三维可视化方法，即使与 小动物磁共振成像。在这次合作中，我们正在制定快速、准确的实用指导方针 用于系列血管评估的中到大口径(大于93微米)血管的可视化 在活体小鼠的临床前治疗试验中。因为大多数小型动物计算机的扫描时间都很长 体层摄影仪，我们使用的是长效血池造影剂。除了指导方针，我们还 进一步开发工具，通过定性的视觉渲染来评估血管。相同的优化采集设置 将是分割分析所必需的，并且将允许对肿瘤血容量，血管密度， 血管口径、分支程度和曲折程度。

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.