MR angiogenesis imaging with Robo4- vs. alphaVbeta3-targeted nanoparticles in a B16/F10 mouse melanoma model

FASEB J. 2010 Nov;24(11):4262-70. doi: 10.1096/fj.10-157933. Epub 2010 Jun 28.

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to utilize MR molecular imaging to compare the 3-dimensional spatial distribution of Robo4 and α(V)β(3)-integrin as biosignatures of angiogenesis, in a rapidly growing, syngeneic tumor. B16-F10 melanoma-bearing mice were imaged with magnetic resonance (MR; 3.0 T) 11 d postimplantation before and after intravenous administration of either Robo4- or α(V)β(3)-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles. The percentage of MR signal-enhanced voxels throughout the tumor volume was low and increased in animals receiving α(V)β(3)- and Robo4-targeted nanoparticles. Neovascular signal enhancement was predominantly associated with the tumor periphery (i.e., outer 50% of volume). Microscopic examination of tumors coexposed to the Robo4- and α(V)β(3)-targeted nanoparticles corroborated the MR angiogenesis mapping results and further revealed that Robo4 expression generally colocalized with α(V)β(3)-integrin. Robo4- and α(V)β(3)-targeted nanoparticles were compared to irrelevant or nontargeted control groups in all modalities. These results suggest that α(V)β(3)-integrin and Robo4 are useful biomarkers for noninvasive MR molecular imaging in syngeneic mouse tumors, but α(V)β(3)-integrin expression was more detectable by MR at 3.0 T than Robo4. Noninvasive, neovascular assessments of the MR signal of Robo4, particularly combined with α(V)β(3)-integrin expression, may help define tumor character prior to and following cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3 / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / diagnosis*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic / metabolism*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Integrin alphaVbeta3
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Robo4 protein, mouse