Ziel/Aim: We established caterpillars of Manduca sexta as an alternative animal model in experimental
radiology and nuclear medicine, addressing limitations associated with traditional
mammalian models for imaging, such as cost, ethical considerations, and generation
time.
Methodik/Methods: Manduca larvae were chosen for their physiological and immunological similarities
to mammals, making them suitable models for investigating gut inflammation. The caterpillars
were exposed to bacterial or chemical challenges to induce a colitis-like phenotype.
Imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, FDG-PET were employed for disease detection.
We also investigated the role of the NADPH dual oxidase (DUOX) in gut inflammation,
a highly conserved gene between humans and Manduca, which is highly upregulated in
patients with ulcerative colitis, allowing for comparative analysis. Finally, we evaluated
Manduca as an alternative model for the in vivo testing of new contrast agents and
tracers.
Ergebnisse/Results: Our research demonstrates the feasibility of high-throughput imaging using CT, MRI
and PET, to assess the severity and progression of gut inflammation in Manduca caterpillars.
The imaging modalities successfully detect colitis-like phenotypes induced by bacterial
or chemical treatments. The study revealed that DUOX activation led to a significant
change in the gut microbiome and aberrant phenotypes, emphasizing its role in inflammation.
Furthermore, we proved the usefulness of our model as an in vivo tool for the comprehensive
testing of newly developed contrast agents or tracers [1]
[2]
[3].
Schlussfolgerungen/Conclusions: Our approach demonstrated Manduca sexta as a highly efficient animal model for experimental
radiology and nuclear medicine, showcasing a high-throughput screening platform that
complements and replaces traditional mammalian models. It overcomes the limitations
associated with mammalian models, providing a cost-effective, ethical, and rapid alternative
for basic in vivo studies.
