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Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of HER-2 protein over-expression in tumour cells

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo imaging of HER-2-over-expressing tumours using near-infrared optical imaging. A fluorochrome probe was designed by coupling Cy5.5 to anti-HER-2 antibodies. Cells over-expressing (SK-BR-3 cells) or normally expressing (PE/CA-PJ34 cells) the HER-2 protein were incubated with the probe. After removing unbound probe molecules, fluorescence intensities were determined (a.u.: arbitrary units). Cells were additionally investigated using FACS and laser scanning microscopy. The probe was also injected intravenously into tumours bearing SK-BR-3 (n=3) or PE/CA-PJ34 (n=3). Whole-body fluorescence images were generated and analysed. The incubation of SK-BR-3 cells with the probe led to higher fluorescence intensities [2,133 (±143) a.u.] compared to controls [975 (±95) a.u.]. The results from FACS and immunocytochemical analysis were in agreement with these findings. A distinct dependency between the fluorescence intensity and the cell number used in the incubations was detected. In vivo, the relative fluorescence intensities in SK-BR-3 tumours were higher than in PE/CA-PJ34 tumours at 16–24 h after probe application. HER-2-over-expressing tumours were depictable in their original size. Labelling of HER-2 with Cy5.5 is suitable for in vitro and in vivo detection of HER-2-over-expressing tumour cells.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Yvonne Heyne, Brigitte Maron and Christiane Geier for excellent technical assistance.

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Correspondence to Ingrid Hilger.

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Hilger, I., Leistner, Y., Berndt, A. et al. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging of HER-2 protein over-expression in tumour cells. Eur Radiol 14, 1124–1129 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-004-2257-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-004-2257-9

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