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Indiana University Develops Advanced Imaging Technique for Bone Marrow Research
Scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine have introduced a groundbreaking imaging technique designed to enhance the study of bone marrow in mouse models. This innovation aims to tackle several challenges associated with imaging this intricate tissue, ultimately paving the way for future advancements in drug development and therapeutic approaches for conditions affecting bone marrow, such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders.
The advancement is facilitated by the Phenocycler 2.0, a multiplex imaging tool that allows researchers to visualize an unprecedented number of cellular markers in intact mouse bone marrow tissue. The study outlining these findings was published recently in Leukemia.
“Bone marrow presents unique challenges for study due to its gelatinous consistency and encasement within hard bone,” explained Sonali Karnik, PhD, an assistant research professor in orthopedic surgery at the IU School of Medicine and co-lead author of the research. “Given the vital role of bone marrow in blood and immune cell generation, as well as its storage of essential stem cells, our innovative imaging strategy provides a valuable asset for various research endeavors.”
Historically, methods such as flow cytometry and basic fluorescence imaging have dominated tissue analysis. Flow cytometry typically necessitates the disruption of complex tissues for the examination and quantification of cell populations, while standard fluorescent imaging is limited to recognizing just three cellular markers simultaneously. In contrast, the newly developed method permits the visualization of 25 distinct cellular markers in undisturbed bone marrow tissue, offering a richer and more detailed perspective of the marrow to better understand disease processes and enhance treatment efficacy.
This imaging technique, although previously utilized for examining organs like the spleen and kidney, marks the first application to mouse bone marrow by the IU Cooperative Center of Excellence in Hematology team.
“As mouse models play a crucial role in studying human diseases, our technique stands out as a promising avenue for exploring a variety of conditions, including autoimmune diseases, leukemia, and other bone marrow-related disorders,” stated Reuben Kapur, PhD, a co-senior author of the study and director of the IU School of Medicine’s Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research.
The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office has applied for a provisional patent for this imaging technique, with plans underway to broaden the marker panel to include additional anatomical features such as bone, nerves, muscle, and a wider range of immune and signaling cell types.
Other contributors to this important study from Indiana University include Connor Gulbronson, Paige C. Jordan, Rahul Kanumuri, Baskar Ramdas, Ramesh Kumar, Melissa L. Hartman, Izza Khurram, Drew M. Brown, Karen E. Pollok, Pratibha Singh, and Melissa A. Kacena.
This research was made possible through funding from the National Institutes of Health.
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