Autoradiography study and SPECT imaging of reporter gene HSV1-tk expression in heart

The study confirmed the feasibility of cardiac SPECT reporter gene imaging with HSV1-tk as a reporter gene and 131I-FIAU as a reporter probe. The optimal Ad5-tk titer for imaging was 1×108 pfu and the optimal imaging time was 1-2 days after gene transfer. Thus, the imaging of HSV1-tk transgene expression in the heart is feasible and may be used for the noninvasive SPECT imaging of gene therapy in cardiac diseases.