Clin Exp Vaccine Res.  2019 Jul;8(2):89-93. 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.2.89.

Non-invasive molecular imaging of immune cell dynamics for vaccine research

• Youn H
• Hong KJ

• KMID: 2455079
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7774/cevr.2019.8.2.89

Abstract

In order to develop a successful vaccine against deadly diseases with a wide range of antigenic diversity, an in-depth knowledge of the molecules and signaling mechanisms between the vaccine candidates and immune cells is required. Therefore, monitoring vaccine components, such as antigen or adjuvants, and immune cell dynamics at the vaccination site or draining lymph nodes can provide important information to understand more about the vaccine response. This review briefly introduces and describes various non-invasive molecular imaging methods for visualizing immune cell dynamics after vaccination.

Keyword

Vaccines; Immune cell dynamics; Non-invasive molecular imaging

MeSH Terms

Antigenic Variation
Lymph Nodes
Molecular Imaging*
Vaccination
Vaccines
Vaccines

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Non-invasive molecular imaging modalities for vaccine research. (A) Imaging modalities for optical imaging (fluorescence, bioluminescence imaging). (B) Imaging modalities for medical imaging (PET, SPECT, CT, MRI, US). (C) In vivo sensitivity and resolution of each imaging modality. (D) In vivo penetration and resolution of each imaging modality. BLI, bioluminescence imaging; GFP, green fluorescent protein; i.p., intraperitoneal injection; i.v., intravenous injection; MR, magnetic resonance; NIR, near-infrared; PET, positron emission tomography; SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography; US, ultrasonography.

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  Fig. 2 (A, B) Direct labeling and indirect labeling for cell tracking.

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  Fig. 3 Examples of non-invasive molecular imaging for vaccine research. (A) Imaging immune cell dynamics with optical reporter expressing transgenic mouse. (B) Imaging immune cell dynamics with single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). TG, transgenic; IM, intramuscular injection.

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