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Purpose:

Near-infrared range fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is a potential tool to diagnose biologic processes in vivo. This applicability study sought to define whether imaging with fluorochrome Cy5. 5 can identify arthritis in murine antigen-induced arthritis (AIA).

Materials and Methods:

On day 7 of AIA (n= 9 mice), fluorescence intensities in inflamed and contralateral knee joints (the latter as internal control) were measured before and after intravenous injection of Cy5. 5 (until 72 hours). Cy5. 5 joint deposition was verified by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. Dye phagocytosis was evaluated in cultured macrophages (cell line PMJ2-R) by FACS analysis. Cy5. 5 binding to serum protein was tested by NIRF scanning and gel electrophoresis.

Results:

Between 2 and 72 hours, the arthritic knee joints showed significantly higher fluorescence intensities compared with contralateral joints. Microscopy confirmed Cy5. 5 …