Bioluminescence imaging: a shining future for cardiac regeneration.

Abstract

Advances in bioanalytical techniques have become crucial for both basic research and medical practice. One example, bioluminescence imaging (BLI), is based on the application of natural reactants with light-emitting capabilities (photoproteins and luciferases) isolated from a widespread group of organisms. The main challenges in cardiac regeneration remain unresolved, but a vast number of studies have harnessed BLI with the discovery of aequorin and green fluorescent proteins. First described in the luminous hydromedusan Aequorea victoria in the early 1960s, bioluminescent proteins have greatly contributed to the design and initiation of ongoing cell-based clinical trials on cardiovascular diseases. In conjunction with advances in reporter gene technology, BLI provides valuable information about the location and functional status of regenerative cells implanted into numerous animal models of disease. The purpose of this review was to present the great potential of BLI, among other existing imaging modalities, to refine effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of cardiac cell therapy. We recount the first discovery of natural primary compounds with light-emitting capabilities, and follow their applications to bioanalysis. We also illustrate insights and perspectives on BLI to illuminate current efforts in cardiac regeneration, where the future is bright.

• Authors: Santiago Roura, Carolina Gálvez-Montón, Antoni Bayes-Genis
• Journal: Journal of cellular and molecular medicine (J Cell Mol Med) Vol. 17 Issue 6 Pg. 693-703 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1582-4934 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23402217 (Publication Type: Historical Article, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Authors Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine Published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Chemical References

• Luminescent Agents
• Green Fluorescent Proteins
• Aequorin
• Luciferases

Topics

• Aequorin (chemistry, genetics, isolation & purification)
• Animals
• Forecasting
• Genes, Reporter
• Green Fluorescent Proteins (chemistry, genetics, isolation & purification)
• Heart (physiology)
• History, 20th Century
• History, 21st Century
• Humans
• Luciferases (chemistry, genetics, isolation & purification)
• Luminescent Agents (chemistry, isolation & purification)
• Luminescent Measurements (history, methods, trends)
• Molecular Imaging (history, methods, trends)
• Photochemical Processes
• Regeneration (physiology)