Radiolabeling and in vivo distribution of nanobacteria in rabbits

摘要

Nanobacteria are minute bacteria recently isolated from mammalian blood. They encapsulate themselves with apatite mineral. Cultured nanobacteria were radiolabeled with ~(99m)Tc, using a method which has been previously used for labeling red blood cells with 99mTc, and in vivo distribution of nanobacteria was followed with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. The labeling yield was over 30%. Two rabbits were studied using dynamic planar imaging performed in the AP-position immediately after injection. Serial SPECT scans were acquired up to 24 h and one planar image was taken at 45 h. A control study was performed administering a similar dose of [~(99m)Tc] labeled albumin nanocolloids. Regional nanobacteria-to- nanocolloid ratios were calculated along with time and tissues (45 h) were analyzed for radioactivity and for nanobacteria. The main finding was that radiolabeled nanobacteria remained intact and showed a tissue specific distribution with a high accumulation in the kidneys and also in urine. Spleen, stomach, heart and intestine also showed increased uptake. Excretion into urine started 10 - 15 min after injection. These were live nanobacteria in the urine, which had better capabilities to penetrate into cells in vitro. The nanobacteria accessed the urine via tubular cells since nanobacteria were found in their cytoplasm and tubular surfaces. The results suggest that nanobacteria utilize endocytic transport of tubular cells and may be involved in the pathogenesis of mineral formation in mammalian kidney stones.