Figure 3. Co-localization of tumor cells and axial skeleton in MOPC315.BM.Luc injected in BALB/c nu/nu mice.
(A) A photomontage of three representative BALB/c nu/nu mice (out of 14) serially imaged from day 0 to day 25. For days 0–8, the color scale was set at a radiance (photons/second/cm2/steradian) of 104 to105 (F stop 1, exposure 60 seconds or autoexposure 104 counts, binning 8). From day 10 to 25 the scale was set at a radiance of 105 to106. (F stop 1, exposure 60 seconds or autoexposure 104 counts, binning 1). (B, left picture) Ventral view of 3 mice injected 1h previously, showing weak signals emanating from the tibiofemoral regions. Such signals were consistently detected in 14/14 mice 1–2.5h after i.v. injection. Color scale was set at a radiance (photons/second/cm2/steradian) of 104 to105. (B, right picture) A close-up of the region of interest indicated by the red circle. (C) A close-up picture series of one mouse (day 33) showing typical sites of affection (skull, shoulder region, sternum, spine, femurs, tibia and spleen). The scale was set at a radiance of 105 to106 (F stop 1 autoexposure 104 counts emission filter 620 nm). (D) A graph of the average luminescence [radiance (photons/second/cm2/steradian)] of BALB/c nu/nu male mice (n = 14) from day 0 to day 25. The luminescence value for each mouse is the average of ventral, dorsal and lateral (right/left) views. (E) A correlation plot of average luminescence for each mouse compared to their respective serum M315 values on day 10 (r = 0.9648, p<0.0001). Similar data were obtained on day 20. (F) DLIT and CT of a mouse with co-localization of tumor signal and the skeleton. The orange spheres depict where signal gradients are located. Pictures of various bones after removing skin or explanting organs, scales in photons/second/cm2/steradian, (G) spine, (H) ribs, (I) sternum, (J) femur and tibia, (K) kidneys, (L) lungs and heart, (M) spleen, (N) intestines and (O) liver.