Dynamic behaviour of selected PET tracers in embryonated chicken eggs.

Gebhardt P, Würbach L, Heidrich A, Heinrich L, Walther M, Opfermann T, Sørensen B, Saluz HP (2013) Dynamic behaviour of selected PET tracers in embryonated chicken eggs. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol. 32(6), 371-377.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) is an established method in preclinical research in small animal disease models and the clinical diagnosis of cancer. It combines functional information of the positron-emitting biomarker with the anatomical data obtained from the CT image. Thus, it allows for 4D in vivo investigation of biological processes. Recently, PET/CT was used to monitor bone growth of chicken embryos using 18F-fluoride as a bone-seeking tracer. We are interested in investigating the adequacy of additional PET/CT tracers in chicken embryos as an in vivo model system. For this reason, we evaluated several positron emitting compounds typically used in clinical tests or if these were not commercially available, we synthesised them. We studied the properties of these 18F- and 68Ga-labelled tracers and of 64Cu-chloride in catheterised eggs via small animal microPET/CT. 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoroglucose ([18F]FDG) was primarily absorbed at the sites of bone growth. 64Cu chloride and a 68Ga-labelled amyloid-fibril-binding antibody accumulated in the liver, while the 68Ga-albumin desferrioxamine conjugate signal in liver decreased over time. These results indicate that these biomarkers can potentially be used for the monitoring of biological processes in chicken eggs as an animal model.

Leibniz-HKI-Autor*innen

Liesa Heinrich
Hans Peter Saluz

Identifier

doi: 10.1016/j.remn.2013.07.002.

PMID: 24001399