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

这个子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和调查员(PI)可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可能会出现在其他CRISE条目中。列出的机构是针对中心的，而不一定是针对调查员的机构。人类癌症的转基因小鼠模型比异种移植模型更能反映人类癌症，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，在正常免疫系统的环境中。与小动物磁共振成像相比，小动物X射线计算机断层扫描(MicroCT)是临床前显示血管和血管生成的一种经济和高定量的三维方法。在这项合作中，我们正在开发实用指南，用于快速、准确地显示中到大口径(大于93微米)的血管，用于在活体小鼠的临床前治疗试验期间对血管进行连续评估。由于大多数小型动物计算机断层扫描仪器的扫描时间较长，我们正在使用一种长效血池造影剂。除了指导方针外，我们还在进一步开发工具，通过定性的视觉渲染来评估血管。同样优化的采集设置将是分割分析所必需的，并将允许对肿瘤血容量、血管密度、血管口径、分支程度和曲折进行定量分析。

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.