Imaging of adenovirus-mediated expression of human sodium iodide symporter gene by 99mTcO4 scintigraphy in mice.

We have evaluated the feasibility of human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) as a reporter gene in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant adenovirus encoding hNIS (Rad-hNIS) was introduced to FRO cell for 48 hours. Western blotting and 99mTcO4 uptake study revealed functional hNIS expression in the cell. Rad-hNIS was injected to BALB/c mice via tail vein. 99mTcO4 gamma scintigraphy, biodistribution study, and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated a preferential hepatic uptake of 99mTcO4, which was observed for up to one week. Thus, hNIS can be utilized as an effective reporter gene for noninvasive/repeated imaging, in combination with 99mTcO4.