Photoacoustic molecular imaging, combined with the reporter-gene technique, can provide a valuable tool for cancer research. The expression of the lacZ reporter gene can be imaged using photoacoustic imaging following the injection of X-gal, a colorimetric assay for the lacZ-encoded enzyme β-galactosidase. Dual-wavelength photoacoustic microscopy was used to non-invasively image the detailed morphology of a lacZ-marked 9L gliosarcoma and its surrounding microvasculature simultaneously in vivo, with a superior resolution on the order of 10 μm. Tumor-feeding vessels were found, and the expression level of lacZ in tumor was estimated. With future development of new absorption-enhancing reporter-gene systems, we anticipate this strategy can lead to a better understanding of the role of tumor metabolism in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, and in its response to therapy.

中文翻译：

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通过双波长光声显微镜在体内同时成像 lacZ 标记的肿瘤和微血管形态

光声分子成像与报告基因技术相结合，可以为癌症研究提供有价值的工具。lacZ 报告基因的表达可以在注射 X-gal 后使用光声成像进行成像，X-gal 是 lacZ 编码酶 β-半乳糖苷酶的比色测定。双波长光声显微镜用于在体内同时对 lacZ 标记的 9L 胶质肉瘤及其周围微血管系统的详细形态进行无创成像，分辨率约为 10 μm。发现肿瘤供血血管，并估计肿瘤中lacZ的表达水平。随着新吸收增强报告基因系统的未来发展，我们预计这一策略可以更好地理解肿瘤代谢在癌症起始、进展和转移中的作用，