Spatial transcriptomic analysis drives PET imaging of tight junction protein expression in pancreatic cancer theranostics.

Molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) provides sensitive detection and mapping of molecular targets. While cancer-associated fibroblasts and integrins have been proposed as targets for imaging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), herein, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics of human surgical samples are applied to select PDAC targets. We find that selected cancer cell surface markers are spatially correlated and provide specific cancer localization, whereas the spatial correlation between cancer markers and immune-related or fibroblast markers is low.

Sonogenetic control of multiplexed genome regulation and base editing.

Manipulating gene expression in the host genome with high precision is crucial for controlling cellular function and behavior. Here, we present a precise, non-invasive, and tunable strategy for controlling the expression of multiple endogenous genes both in vitro and in vivo, utilizing ultrasound as the stimulus. By engineering a hyper-efficient dCas12a and effector under a heat shock promoter, we demonstrate a system that can be inducibly activated through thermal energy produced by ultrasound absorption.

Combined near infrared photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound detects vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process resulting in the deposition of cholesterol and cellular debris, narrowing of the vessel lumen and clot formation. Characterization of the morphology and vulnerability of the lesion is essential for effective clinical management. Here, near-infrared auto-photoacoustic (NIRAPA) imaging is shown to detect plaque components and, when combined with ultrasound imaging, to differentiate stable and vulnerable plaque.

OMIP-095: 40-Color spectral flow cytometry delineates all major leukocyte populations in murine lymphoid tissues.

High-dimensional immunoprofiling is essential for studying host response to immunotherapy, infection, and disease in murine model systems. However, the difficulty of multiparameter panel design combined with a lack of existing murine tools has prevented the comprehensive study of all major leukocyte phenotypes in a single assay. Herein, we present a 40-color flow cytometry panel for deep immunophenotyping of murine lymphoid tissues, including the spleen, blood, Peyer's patches, inguinal lymph nodes, bone marrow, and thymus.

Combined near infrared photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound detects vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process resulting in the deposition of cholesterol and cellular debris, narrowing of the vessel lumen and clot formation. Characterization of the morphology and vulnerability of the lesion is essential for effective clinical management. Photoacoustic imaging has sufficient penetration and sensitivity to map and characterize human atherosclerotic plaque.

Interleukin-2 superkines by computational design.

Affinity maturation of protein–protein interactions is an important approach in the development of therapeutic proteins such as cytokines. Typical experimental strategies involve targeting the cytokine-receptor interface with combinatorial libraries and then selecting for higher-affinity variants. Mutations to the binding scaffold are usually not considered main drivers for improved affinity.

In situ T-cell transfection by anti-CD3-conjugated lipid nanoparticles leads to T-cell activation, migration, and phenotypic shift.

Ex vivo programming of T cells can be efficacious but is complex and expensive; therefore, the development of methods to transfect T cells in situ is important. We developed and optimized anti-CD3-targeted lipid nanoparticles (aCD3-LNPs) to deliver tightly packed, reporter gene mRNA specifically to T cells. In vitro, targeted LNPs efficiently delivered mCherry mRNA to Jurkat T cells, and T-cell activation and depletion were associated with aCD3 antibody coating on the surface of LNPs.

Pre-clinical evaluation of immunoPET imaging using agonist CD40 monoclonal antibody in pancreatic tumor-bearing mice.

Background: A novel [Cu]Cu-NOTA-aCD40 immunoPET tracer was developed to image a CD40 pancreatic tumor model in C57BL/6 mice and to study the biodistribution profile of the agonist CD40 (aCD40) monoclonal antibody (mAb) alone or combined with other mAbs.

Procedures: Copper-64 ([Cu]Cu) labeled NOTA-aCD40 and NOTA-IgG (10 μg; 7 MBq) were injected intravenously into C57BL/6 mice with subcutaneous mT4 tumors to assess specificity 48 h post injection (p.i.

Immune modulation resulting from MR-guided high intensity focused ultrasound in a model of murine breast cancer.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) rapidly and non-invasively destroys tumor tissue. Here, we sought to assess the immunomodulatory effects of MR-guided HIFU and its combination with the innate immune agonist CpG and checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-1. Mice with multi-focal breast cancer underwent ablation with a parameter set designed to achieve mechanical disruption with minimal thermal dose or a protocol in which tumor temperature reached 65 °C.