Table 2 Overview of imaging studies related to transcriptional regulation in inflammation

Imaging neural regulation of NF-κB

Hepatic NF-κB is crucial for recruitment of neutrophils to the injured brain [33].

Vagus nerve signaling regulates NF-κB activity [35].

Imaging of infection models

In vivo imaging of NF-κB in lung [31].

NF-κB is sufficient to cause lung inflammation [36].

Duration of NF-κB activity is determining for lung injury [37].

Bacterial lung infection induces NF-κB. Lack of oxidative burst and targeted inhibition of NF-κB worsens Pseudomonas infection [38, 39].

NF-κB is induced in infected mammary glands [40].

NF-κB is central for regulating milk production of mammary glands [41].

Imaging autoimmune disease

In vivo imaging of NF-κB during arthritis [32].

Tracking NF-κB in a transgenic model with various autoimmune diseases [47].

Evaluation of NF-κB inhibitor in arthritis. Combined imaging of NF-κB activity and protease specific near infrared probe [48].

Evaluation of probe for reactive oxygen species and NF-κB activity in arthritis [49].

Imaging of dietary influence

NF-κB activity during high fat feeding and obesity [51].

NF-κB and its role in energy balance of obese mice [52].

Vitamin A regulates NF-κB activity [54].

Imaging host immune reaction

Interaction between host and biomaterial induces NF-κB [87]

Imaging TGFβ signaling

Imaging Smad2/3-dependent TGF-beta signaling reveals prominent tissue-specific responses to inflammatory stimulus and injury [55].

Orally administered TGF-beta is biologically active in the intestinal mucosa and enhances oral tolerance [89].

Imaging of Smad signaling shows correlation with excitotoxic neurodegeneration [90].

Imaging regulation through natural promoters of inflammatory genes

iNOS-promoter activity used to evaluate effect of anti-inflammatory compounds [57].

Regulation of IκBα expression involves both the NF-κB and MAP kinase signaling pathways [58].

Serum amyloid A is induced by inflammatory stimuli. NF-κB is an important regulator [59].

GADD45β-promoter regulation by NF-κB and not MAPK pathway in acute inflammation [60].

Imaging Cox-2 gene expression in living animals with a luciferase knock-in reporter gene [93].

Imaging inflammation in non-conventional transgenic mice

NF-κB activation during liver inflammation in mice and prevention by catalase delivery [61].

Real-time imaging of ligand-induced IKK activation in liver [62].

Viral delivery of reporter constructs to discrete brain region used to monitor longitudinal NF-κB and AP1 activity [63].