Imaging Services for Immune Cell Populations in TME
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex system that plays a critical role in tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Immune cells are key participants in TME, interacting with tumor cells and other stromal cells. At Alfa Cytology, we offer cutting-edge imaging services for the analysis of immune cell populations within the TME, providing important information for cancer research.
The Study of Immune Cell Populations in TME
Generally, tumor-associated immune cells can be divided into two categories: tumor-antagonistic immune cells and tumor-promoting immune cells. These two types of cells play different roles at different stages of tumor progression. It has been reported that tumor immune cells can infiltrate the TME at high frequency but do not exhibit antitumor activity, thus it is necessary to characterize immune cells within the TME. In recent years, the development of multiple imaging techniques such as multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) and multispectral imaging (MSI) has allowed the in vivo study of the interaction between immune cells and tumors, which can be used to study the physiological functions of these cell populations as well as anti-tumor immunotherapy studies. Advances in imaging technology have opened up the possibility of using imaging-derived information to improve and optimize antitumor immunity-based therapies.
Fig. 1 Schematic representation of strategies for immune cell tracking by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or optical imaging. (Seth A, et al., 2017)
Immune Cell Population Imaging Services
We provide cutting-edge imaging services for the analysis of immune cells within the TME, such as T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and myeloid cells, as well as for analysis of the interaction of immune cell populations with other stromal cells. Our services provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of immune cells within the TME, enabling efficient identification of potential therapeutic targets, which is critical for the development of effective cancer therapies. our services include, but are not limited to:
| Services | Techniques | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Macrophage/monocyte imaging services | Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Multiphoton and confocal intravital microscopy |
We specialize in non-invasive detection of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), offering clients valuable information on the number, cell viability, and biodistribution of TAMs within tumor tissue. |
| T Cell imaging services | Bioluminescence imaging MRI |
We can obtain information about T cell biodistribution, homing, and migration to target sites to help clients study antigen-specific T lymphocyte-based cancer therapies. |
| Dendritic cell imaging services | Reporter gene-based imaging Bioluminescent imaging MRI |
We propose a variety of imaging techniques to examine the behavior and interactions of dendritic cells in vivo to facilitate advanced immunotherapy research. |
| NK cells imaging services | Flow cytometry Immunofluorescence imaging Computed tomography (CT) Positron emission tomography (PET) MRI |
We can non-invasively monitor gene-modified therapeutic NK cells capable of targeting tumor-associated antigens in vivo in real-time to detect their tumor-homing ability, which provides useful information for the research of NK cell line-based immunotherapy methods. |
| Immune cell population imaging services | Bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MRI PET |
We provide in vivo optical imaging services to long-time-range dynamic study multiple immune cell aggregation, migration and cell contact events within the TME during tumor immunotherapy. These services offer intuitive visualization and dynamic information for the analysis of relevant immunological mechanisms. |
The Advantages of Our Immune Cell Population Imaging Services
- We provide multiple imaging techniques, such as FMT, MRI, multiphoton and confocal intravital microscopy, FMT-MRI fusion imaging, and multimodal imaging.
- Our imaging techniques have the advantages of visualization, high spatial and temporal resolution, high sensitivity, and multi-channel detection.
- Our imaging services are highly customizable, allowing for the development of tailored imaging modalities including MRI (T1, T2), optical imaging, upconversion nanoparticles, and quantum dots to meet the specific needs of each project.
- Our services provide a wealth of information on the spatial and temporal distribution of immune cells within the TME, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
Imaging services for the analysis of immune cell subpopulations within the TME are essential for the development of effective cancer therapies. At Alfa Cytology, we offer cutting-edge imaging services and our team of experts works closely with each client to develop a customized imaging strategy that maximizes the value of the data generated. Contact us today to learn more about our imaging services and how they can benefit your research project.
Reference
- Seth A, et al. Current perspective on in vivo molecular imaging of immune cells. Molecules, 2017, 22(6): 881.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.