Trafficking Macrophage Migration Using Reporter Gene Imaging with Human Sodium Iodide Symporter in Animal Models of Inflammation

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of nuclear molecular imaging using the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) as a reporter gene to monitor macrophage migration toward the inflammatory foci. Methods: A stable macrophage cell line coexpressing hNIS and green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes (RAW264.7/hNIS-GFP and R-NIS cell) was established from an immortalized macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells). I-125 uptake was determined (for hNIS protein functional activity), and flow cytometry analysis (to examine GFP gene expression), a cell proliferation assay, a cytokine assay, and a phagocytic activity assay were performed. Tc-99m-pertechnetate images were acquired at 1 d after subcutaneous inoculation of R-NIS cells in nude mice. Chemical inflammation was induced for in vivo imaging in the thigh of nude mice by turpentine oil injection. Small-animal PET with F-18-FDG and I-124 was performed with an intravenous administration of RAW264.7 or R-NIS cells in inflammation-induced animals. Results: The expression of hNIS and GFP genes was confirmed in R-NIS cells by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining. I-125 uptake was about 67 times higher in R-NIS cells than in RAW264.7 cells. No significant difference was observed in cell proliferation, cytokine production, and phagocytic activity between RAW264.7 and R-NIS cells. Tc-99m-pertechnetate imaging revealed increased tracer uptake at the inoculation site. PET with I-124 demonstrated a donut-shaped uptake, correlating with uptake shown by the F-18-FDG PET images, at the inflammation site of mice administered R-NIS cells. I-124 uptake (percentage injected dose per gram) was about 2.12 times higher at the inflammation site in the R-NIS mice than in RAW264.7 mice. By immunohistochemistry, the migration of macrophages was further confirmed by positive staining for GFP and hNIS at the inflammation site of R-NIS mice. Conclusion: These data support the feasibility of hNIS reporter gene imaging to monitor the macrophage migration toward an inflammatory lesion. Macrophages expressing hNIS may provide a new strategy to investigate the cellular behavior seen with inflammatory response in a preclinical model.