• BMB Reports
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.313-318
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• 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulate the extracellular microenvironment. Despite the significant role that MMP activity plays in cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, migration, and differentiation, analyses of MMPs in vitro and in vivo have relied upon their abundance using conventional immunoassays, rather than their enzymatic activities. To resolve this issue, diverse nanoprobes have emerged and proven useful as effective activity-based detection tools. Here, we review the recent advances in luminescent nanoprobes and their applications in in vitro diagnosis and in vivo imaging of MMP activity. Nanoprobes with the purpose of sensing MMP activity consist of recognition and detection units, which include MMP-specific substrates and luminescent (fluorescent or bioluminescent) nanoparticles, respectively. With further research into improvement of the optical performance, it is anticipated that luminescent nanoprobes will have great potential for the study of the functional roles of proteases in cancer biology and nanomedicine. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 313-318]

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권11호
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• pp.1738-1741
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• 2010

기존의 동물모델에서 암의 성장은 caliper를 이용하여 고형암 부피를 측정으로써 조사하였으나, 암 조직 속의괴사와 부종으로 인하여 부피측정에 신뢰성이 결여 되어 있다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하기 위해 발광 암세포를 이용하여 광학생체영상적으로 분석하는 방법이 개발 되었다. 본 연구에서는 전립선 발광 암세포를 제조하여 고형암 동물모델에서 B16 발광 암세포와 암 성장을 비교 측정하여 신규발광 암세포를 평가하였다. In vitro에서 세포 수와 발광강도는 높은 상관관계를 보였고($R^2$=0.99), 고형암 동물모델에서 암 성장 측정은 괴사에 의한 오차를 줄였다. 이러한 발광신호를 기반으로 한 측정방법은 caliper의 부피 측정에 비하여 높은 항암효과를 보임으로써 기존의 발광 암세포보다 신규 발광전립선 암세포의 유용성을 증명하였다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.399-404
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• 2006

Noninvasive molecular targeting in living subjects is highly demanded for better understanding of such diverse topics as the efficient delivery of drugs, genes, or radionuclides for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases. Progress in molecular biology, genetic engineering and polymer chemistry provides various tools to target molecules and cells in vivo. We used chitosan as a polymer, and $^{99m}Tc$ as a radionuclide. We developed $^{99m}Tc-galactosylated$ chitosan to target asialoglycoprotein receptors for nuclear imaging. We also developed $^{99m}Tc-HYNIC-chitosan-transferrin$ to target inflammatory cells, which was more effective than $^{67}Ga-citrate$ for imaging inflammatory lesions. For an effective delivery of molecules, a longer circulation time is needed. We found that around 10% PEGylation was most effective to prolong the circulation time of liposomes for nuclear imaging of $^{99m}Tc-HMPAO-labeled$ liposomes in rats. Using various characteristics of molecules, we can deliver drugs into targets more effectively. We found that $^{99m}Tc-labeled$ biodegradable pullulan-derivatives are retained in tumor tissue in response to extracellular ion-strength. For the trafficking of various cells or bacteria in an intact animal, we used optical imaging techniques or radiolabeled cells. We monitored tumor-targeting bacteria by bioluminescent imaging techniques, dentritic cells by radiolabeling and neuronal stem cells by sodium-iodide symporter reporter gene imaging. In summary, we introduced recent achievements of molecular nuclear imaging technologies in targeting receptors for hepatocyte or inflammatory cells and in trafficking bacterial, immune and stem cells using molecular nuclear imaging techniques.