Quantitative Ex-Vivo Micro-Computed Tomographic Imaging of Blood Vessels and Necrotic Regions within Tumors
Figure 5
Assessing the effects of a vascular disrupting agent.
(A) Bioluminescence images of luciferase-expressing 344SQ-EL cell line-derived subcutaneous tumors. Images were taken prior to treatment, and again at 6 and 24 hrs post DMXAA treatment. This agent led to a dramatic loss of bioluminescence. (B) Quantification of changes in photon emission rates of the DMXAA-treated, and control tumors (data represent averages ± s.e.m., N = 20). (C) 3-D micro-CT surface renderings (gray and red) and cross-sectional maximal-spheres filling model rendering (red = vessel diameters of 2 mm or greater) for representative subcutaneous tumors treated with either DMXAA or vehicle control, and perfused with Microfil after 24 hrs. The images demonstrate a large increase in the necrotic regions following DMXAA treatment. (D) Quantification of the vessel volume, density, and separation of DMXAA-treated tumors. There was a decrease in vessel volume and density, and in well-vascularized areas, as indicated by the drop in spheres present with sizes between 0–100 µm. This result was consistent with an increase in the size of the necrotic areas in the DMXAA-treated tumors. Data indicate averages ± s.e.m., N = 6 per sample. Asterisks indicate: * p<0.05, ** p<0.01.