Figure 2. Blood monitoring of in vivo processes.

Different numbers of Gli36 human glioma cells expressing both Gluc and SEAP were implanted subcutaneously into 5 athymic nude mice. After 48 h, 5 μl of blood and urine was assayed for Gluc and 5 μl of serum assayed for SEAP activity (a). Data presented as mean ± s.d. (n=5 with experiment repeated 3x). Gluc signal was localized in the animals using a CCD camera and in vivo bioluminescence imaging (b). Gli36 cells (1 × 10⁶) expressing the Gluc reporter were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice (n=10). On d 10 after implantation, tumors were injected with either PBS (control, n=5) or an HSV oncolytic vector known to kill tumors (n=5). Gluc reporter activity was monitored in the blood at different time points (c). C17.2 neuroprecursor cells (1 × 10⁶) expressing the Gluc reporter were injected i.v. into 5 nude mice and Gluc activity in the blood was monitored over time. Data presented in c-d are from one representative mouse from each group with the experiment repeated 3x. RLU, relative light units. Figure modified from Wurdinger et al., 2008³⁷.