Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Nat Protoc. 2023 Jul;18(7):2124-2142. doi: 10.1038/s41596-023-00834-7. Epub 2023 May 19.
Fast tracking of biological dynamics across multiple murine organs using the currently commercially available whole-body preclinical imaging systems is hindered by their limited contrast, sensitivity and spatial or temporal resolution. Spiral volumetric optoacoustic tomography (SVOT) provides optical contrast, with an unprecedented level of spatial and temporal resolution, by rapidly scanning a mouse using spherical arrays, thus overcoming the current limitations in whole-body imaging. The method enables the visualization of deep-seated structures in living mammalian tissues in the near-infrared spectral window, while further providing unrivalled image quality and rich spectroscopic optical contrast. Here, we describe the detailed procedures for SVOT imaging of mice and provide specific details on how to implement a SVOT system, including component selection, system arrangement and alignment, as well as the image processing methods. The step-by-step guide for the rapid panoramic (360°) head-to-tail whole-body imaging of a mouse includes the rapid visualization of contrast agent perfusion and biodistribution. The isotropic spatial resolution possible with SVOT can reach 90 µm in 3D, while alternative steps enable whole-body scans in less than 2 s, unattainable with other preclinical imaging modalities. The method further allows the real-time (100 frames per second) imaging of biodynamics at the whole-organ level. The multiscale imaging capacity provided by SVOT can be used for visualizing rapid biodynamics, monitoring responses to treatments and stimuli, tracking perfusion, and quantifying total body accumulation and clearance dynamics of molecular agents and drugs. Depending on the imaging procedure, the protocol requires 1-2 h to complete by users trained in animal handling and biomedical imaging.
使用当前市售的全身临床前成像系统快速追踪多个小鼠器官的生物动力学受到其有限的对比度、灵敏度以及空间或时间分辨率的限制。螺旋容积光声断层扫描（SVOT）通过使用球形阵列快速扫描小鼠，提供光学对比度，具有前所未有的空间和时间分辨率，从而克服了全身成像的当前限制。该方法能够可视化近红外光谱窗口中活哺乳动物组织中的深部结构，同时进一步提供无与伦比的图像质量和丰富的光谱光学对比度。在这里，我们描述了用于 SVOT 成像的小鼠的详细程序，并提供了如何实现 SVOT 系统的具体细节，包括组件选择、系统布置和对准以及图像处理方法。用于快速全景（360°）从头到尾全身成像的小鼠的分步指南包括快速可视化造影剂灌注和生物分布。SVOT 可能具有的各向同性空间分辨率在 3D 中可达 90 µm，而替代步骤可在不到 2 s 的时间内完成全身扫描，这是其他临床前成像方式无法实现的。该方法还允许在整个器官水平实时（每秒 100 帧）成像生物动力学。SVOT 提供的多尺度成像能力可用于可视化快速生物动力学、监测对治疗和刺激的反应、跟踪灌注以及定量分子试剂和药物的全身积累和清除动力学。根据成像程序的不同，经过动物处理和生物医学成像培训的用户需要 1-2 小时才能完成该方案。
