Single-cell resolution in high-resolution synchrotron X-ray CT imaging with gold nanoparticles

J Synchrotron Radiat. 2014 Jan;21(Pt 1):242-50. doi: 10.1107/S1600577513029007. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles are excellent intracellular markers in X-ray imaging. Having shown previously the suitability of gold nanoparticles to detect small groups of cells with the synchrotron-based computed tomography (CT) technique both ex vivo and in vivo, it is now demonstrated that even single-cell resolution can be obtained in the brain at least ex vivo. Working in a small animal model of malignant brain tumour, the image quality obtained with different imaging modalities was compared. To generate the brain tumour, 1 × 10(5) C6 glioma cells were loaded with gold nanoparticles and implanted in the right cerebral hemisphere of an adult rat. Raw data were acquired with absorption X-ray CT followed by a local tomography technique based on synchrotron X-ray absorption yielding single-cell resolution. The reconstructed synchrotron X-ray images were compared with images obtained by small animal magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of gold nanoparticles in the tumour tissue was verified in histological sections.

Keywords: X-ray CT; animal model; brain tumour; gold nanoparticles; high-resolution imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Single-Cell Analysis*
  • Synchrotrons*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Gold