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Gene & cell therapy

Visualization of vector biodistribution and vector-mediated gene expression.

Overview

CFT in gene and cell therapy

New vectors are in development to improve their efficacy, including biodistribution and transduction, while minimizing off-target or safety liabilities. Unbiased visualization of vector biodistribution and subsequent gene transduction in preclinical models is crucial in early-stage research; however, these critical studies are challenging using standard imaging modalities.

See what you're missing with Cryo-Fluorescence Tomography (CFT) and Xerra™, a 3D imaging technology that allows whole-body detection and visualization of vector biodistribution and vector-mediated gene expression, in high resolution and with high sensitivity.

EMIT Imaging's visualization tools make CFT data easier to explore and collaborate on, with a full range of options to fit different user types and use cases.

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Research examples
Example · IV administration

AAV-mediated protein expression

Vector biodistribution

Findings: 3D CFT visualization of AAV vector biodistribution and expression following IV administration.

AAV-mediated protein expression - 3D CFT
AAV-mediated protein expression — 3D CFT
AAV CFT flythrough
AAV CFT flythrough
Example · intrathecal injection

Whole-body distribution of labeled ASO

Depth & resolution

Findings: CFT enhances data from 2D in vivo FLI by addressing its depth and resolution limitations.

Cy5-labeled ASO at day 15 following IT injection
Full visualization of the spinal column into the cisterna magna
CFT detects biodistribution and clearance: GI, lymphatic, nasal turbinate, etc.
CFT is 3D and high resolution: <50 µm versus >1 mm in optical and nuclear medicine imaging
2D in vivo fluorescence (prone)
2D in vivo fluorescence (prone)
2D in vivo fluorescence (supine)
2D in vivo fluorescence (supine)
3D CFT
3D CFT
Example · AAV7-GFP + AAV9-tdTomato

Whole-body transduction

Vector comparison

Findings: CFT visualization of whole-body transduction and expression by AAV9 and AAV7.

Representative images of animals administered single vectors or both AAV7.CAG.EGFP and AAV9.CAG.tdTomato (A, B)
Representative CFT images of EGFP fluorescence in hind limb muscle (C) and protein copy number by qPCR (D)
Yost et al., ASGCT 2023 · Yost et al., Journal of Virology, 2023
Head region, AAV7-GFP and AAV9-tdTomato (A)
Head region, AAV7-GFP and AAV9-tdTomato (A)
Whole-body transduction, AAV7-GFP and AAV9-tdTomato (B)
Whole-body transduction, AAV7-GFP and AAV9-tdTomato (B)
3D CFT flythrough, whole-body transduction
3D CFT flythrough, whole-body transduction
EGFP fluorescence, biceps muscle (C)
EGFP fluorescence, biceps muscle (C)
AAV copy number by qPCR (D)
AAV copy number by qPCR (D)
Example · AAV7-GFP + AAV9-tdTomato

Regional transduction

Tissue mapping

Findings: CFT identified several tissues with AAV transduction and protein expression.

Widespread transduction by both AAV7 (A) and AAV9 (B) in the muscle cells of the tongue, tissues in the sinus cavity, lacrimal and Harderian glands beneath the eye, and inside the marrow of the jaw and outside the roots of the incisors
Yost et al., ASGCT 2023 · Yost et al., Journal of Virology, 2023
Fluorescence MIP, head
Fluorescence MIP, head
Anatomical + Fluorescence Overlay, head
Anatomical + Fluorescence Overlay, head
Transduction in AAV7 (A) and AAV9 (B)
Transduction in AAV7 (A) and AAV9 (B)

Want to see how your own data could look? Explore the full range of CFT visualization solutions.

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EMIT Viewer

Explore the data yourself, right in your browser

Open the cardiac or neurotropic AAV dataset and page through slices, toggle fluorescence channels, and rotate the reconstructed volume. Nothing to download and nothing to install.

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