Research Summary
At present, we are often unable to ascertain the reason an (immuno)therapy fails.
(Radioactive) labeling of clinical drugs can reveal the biodistribution of these compounds to determine if transport, e.g. through the blood-brain barrier, is a limitation. However, this strategy cannot reveal the mechanisms underlying the immunological changes that occur in disease, which can vary greatly from patient to patient, or whether these mechanisms are mitigated by or otherwise altered in response to the therapy.
Molecular imaging allows us to evaluate immune(-surveilling) cells and the factors that drive their behavior in the context of the diseased microenvironment. We are developing and translating clinically-relevant imaging biomarkers that can determine the immunological mechanisms responsible for more personalized care (precision medicine).
Technology Expertise Keywords
MRI, CEST, Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Contrast agents, Reporter Genes, Nanoparticles, Polymers, Immunotherapy, Cell Transplantation, Theranostics
Selected Publications
Thomas AM, Li S, Chu C, Shats I, Xu J, Calabresi PA, van Zijl PCM, Walczak P, Bulte JWM. Evaluation of cell transplant-mediated attenuation of diffuse injury in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis using on VDMP CEST MRI.2020 Jul;329:113316.
Thomas AM, Beskid NM, Blanchfield JL, Rosado AM, García AJ, Adams AB, Babensee JE. Localized hydrogel delivery of dendritic cells for attenuation of multiple sclerosis in a murine model. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2020;e37118.
Thomas AM, Dong Y, Beskid NM, García AJ, Adams AB, Babensee JE. Brief Exposure to hyperglycemia activates dendritic cells in vitro and in vivo. J Cell Physiol. 2020 Jun;235(6):520-9.
Liu T, Thomas A, Chen Y, Bulte J, Song X. CEST MRI with distribution-based analysis for assessment of early stage disease activity in a multiple sclerosis mouse model. NMR in Biomed. 2019 July;32:e4139.
Thomas AM, Palma JL, Shea LD. Sponge-mediated lentivirus delivery to acute and chronic spinal cord injuries. Journal of Controlled Release. 2015 Apr 28;204:1-10.
