The aim of the thesis was to develop novel mono-labeled and dual-labeled imaging agents for targeting cancer tumors by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Optical Imaging (OI). Bispidines were used as Copper-64 and NOTA as Copper-64 as well as Gallium-68 chelators for PET. Fluorophore, IR 800 dye was used for OI. Amine-terminated ultrasmall Silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) of size 3-5 nm were used as a multifunctional multimodal imaging core.:Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 General introduction 1 1.2 Aims and objectives of the thesis 6 Chapter 2 Literature review and theoretical part 7 2.1 Molecular imaging of cancer 7 2.1.1 Positron Emission Tomography 8 2.1.2 Optical imaging 19 2.2 Multimodal molecular imaging 21 2.2.1 Silicon nanoparticles as multimodal imaging agents 23 2.2.2 Factors affecting the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of NPs 27 2.2.3 Tumor targeting strategies for molecular imaging agents 30 2.2.4 Targeted functionalization of NPs and BFCAs for imaging purposes 32 Chapter 3 Results and Discussion 35 3.1 Synthesis, characterization and radiolabeling studies of hexadentate bispidine-based bifunctional chelating agents 37 3.1.1 Synthesis of hexadentate bispidine-based ligands 39 3.1.2 Radiochemistry of modified bispidine derivatives 59 3.1.3 Conclusions 61 3.2 Design and synthesis of Bispidine-based TATE and sd antibody bioconjugates 63 3.2.1 Bispidine-based bioconjugates of somatostatin agonist TATE 63 3.2.2 Bispidine-based EGFR targeting sdAb conjugates B5-sdAb 71 3.2.3 Conclusions 80 3.3 Synthesis and characterization of amine-terminated ultrasmall Si NPs 81 3.3.1 Synthesis of amine-terminated Si NPs 81 3.3.2 Characterization of Si NPs 82 3.3.3 Surface characterization of Si NPs 84 3.3.4 Conclusions 85 3.4 Synthesis, characterization, and biodistribution studies of Si NP-based mono-labeled PET and optical imaging agents 86 3.4.1 Si NP-NOTA derived PET imaging agent 88 3.4.2 Synthesis and characterization of Si NP-Bispidine (Si NP-B4) 93 3.4.3 Synthesis, characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Si NP-IR800 as an optical imaging probe 95 3.4.5 Conclusions 104 3.5 Development of dual-labeled Si NPs an its in vitro and in vivo evaluation 106 3.5.1 Synthesis and characterization of Si NP-IR800-NOTA conjugate 107 3.5.2 Photophysical characterization of Si NP-IR800-NOTA and comparison with mono-labeled imaging agents 109 3.5.3 Radiolabeling studies of dual-labeled Si NP-IR800-NOTA 110 3.5.4 Quantitative estimation of the amount of fluorophore and the radiolabel on the Si NP conjugate 111 3.5.5 Cell Cytotoxicity Studies of the Si NP-IR800-NOTA 114 3.5.6 In vivo PET analysis and biodistribution studies, urine analysis and ex vivo examination of [64Cu]Cu-Si NP-IR800-NOTA 115 3.5.7 Comparative analysis of [68Ga]Ga-Si NP-IR800-NOTA and [64Cu]Cu-Si NP-IR800-NOTA in A431 tumor bearing mice 121 3.5.8 Conclusions 127 3.6 Investigation of mono-labeled and dual-labeled Si NPs as targeted imaging agents 128 3.6.1 Synthesis of Si NP-PEG-5B9 peptide conjugates 128 3.6.2 Characterization of the targeted Si NP conjugates 129 3.6.3 Conclusions 134 Chapter 4 Conclusions and Outlook 135 4.1 Conclusions 135 4.2 Outlook 140 Chapter 5 Experimental Section 141 5.1 Chemicals and Materials 141 5.2 Analysis, characterization and purification techniques and methods 143 5.3 Radionuclide production (68Ga and 64Cu) 146 5.4 Syntheses 148 5.4.1 Synthesis of bispidines derivatives (B1-B11), intermediates (B1’, B3’, B8’, B9’, B11’) and bifunctional linkers (L1, L2) 148 5.4.2 Synthesis of bispidines-based bioconjugates B4-PEG-TATE and B5-sdAb-7C12 160 5.4.3 Synthesis and modification of Si NPs by hydrothermal method 161 5.5 Radiolabeling experiments 166 5.6 In vitro cell experiments 167 5.7 Cell binding studies 169 5.8 Animal experiments 170 Chapter 6 References 172 Chapter 7 Annex 192 7.1 Acronyms 192 7.2 Supplementary Data 195 Chapter 8 Publications, Conferences and Awards 203 Chapter 9 Acknowledgements 206 Chapter 10 Statement of declaration / Erklärungen 208

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Technetium-99m (99mTc) radiopharmaceuticals are widely used for diagnostic imaging of heart, kidney, and liver disease, and cancer. Evolution from perfusion type tracers to targeted agents however has proven difficult. 99mTc labeled antibodies for imaging specific disease biomarkers would be of great interest, however the disparity between the isotopes half-life (6 hours) and the long circulation time of most antibodies (multiple days) has been a significant barrier. Furthermore, the conjugation of bifunctional 99mTc-chelate complexes to small molecules often has a detrimental impact on targeting. The use of bioorthogonal chemistry derived from tetrazines and trans-cyclooctene derivatives, along with pretargeting has the potential to overcome these issues and create a new generation of targeted 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. Initially, the synthesis of three generations of imidazole based tridentate chelates linked to a tetrazine was completed. These new ligands were labeled with 99mTc under mild conditions (60 °C, 20 min, pH 3.5) with modest to good radiochemical yields ranging from 31 to 83%. Biodistribution studies revealed that compound 14, which contains a polyethylene glycol 5 (PEG5) linker had the best clearance from non-target tissues. Compound 14 was also used successfully in a pretargeting strategy along with a transcyclooctene (TCO) derivative of the bone targeting bisphosphonate, alendronate (ALN). One hour following the administration of TCO-ALN to BALB/c mice, compound 14 was injected intravenously where uptake at sites of high calcium turn over (i.e. the joints) was observed. At 6 hours post injection, for example, uptake reached as high as 20.1 ± 4.91 and 16.1 ± 4.84 %ID/g in the knee and shoulder, respectively. Pretargeted imaging studies were performed subsequently with a TCO-functionalized huA33 antibody in mice bearing SW122 xenografts. The TCO-huA33 antibody was injected 24 hours before the administration of two radiolabeled tetrazines at high and low specific activities. At 6 hours post injection tumour uptake was minimal, with tumour: blood ratios <1 in all cases. Blood clearance studies determined that the tetrazines were being cleared rapidly, with a blood residence half-life of 1.3-2.1 minutes. The hypothesis is that the low concentration of the antibody (owing to its high molecular weight), combined with the rapid clearance of the tetrazine and significant off-target uptake resulted in unfavorable kinetics and low tumor binding. Studies of the clearance pathway of 14 were investigated with clinically approved hepatobiliary transport inhibitors to help understand the mechanism of clearance, which could in turn be used to optimize the pharmacokinetics of the tetrazine ligands. A range of different inhibitors of key clearance pathways were evaluated with limited success. However, co-administration of 14 with ALN resulted in a 75% decrease in gall bladder uptake of 14 (216 ± 75.9 to 33.6 ± 3.93 %ID/g). Pretargeting studies of 14 with TCO-ALN in the presence of excess ALN revealed that ALN did not hinder the uptake of TCO-ALN in the bone, with all organs and tissues having the same uptake with TCO-ALN or TCO-ALN + ALN (knee: 20.1 ± 4.91 and 14.9 ± 2.43 %ID/g, respectively). There was also a concomitant decrease in gall bladder uptake (91.5 ± 17.1 to 28.8 ± 2.63 %ID/g). Further work on improving the distribution of the tetrazine ligands involved investigating the effect of the chelate. The core chelate found in 14 without the tetrazine moiety (compound 11a) was labeled with 99mTc to produce 11b in a 31% radiochemical yield. Biodistribution studies of 11b and 14 at 6 hours post injection demonstrated that the imidazole-based 99mTc-chelate was a major factor in the rapid and significant uptake and retention in the liver and gallbladder. A new triazole based chelate with optimal clearance from Kluba and coworkers was synthesized in 45% yield and successfully labeled with 99mTc (compound 23a). Biodistribution studies were performed where at 6 hours post injection, 23a had five times lower uptake in all non-target organs compared to 11b. The synthesis of a tetrazine derivative of 23a (compound 32) unfortunately demonstrated high hepatobiliary uptake compared to the original triazole chelate (gall bladder: 228 ± 251 and 8.77 ± 0.73 %ID/g, large intestine: 85.5 ± 83.5 and 6.88 ± 0.30 %ID/g, respectively). This particular derivative had a lipophilic linker as a result of the synthetic challenges faced during the preparation of a more hydrophilic triazole-tetrazine derivative. In addition to pretargeting applications, the 99mTc-tetrazine was used as a reagent to create multimodal imaging agents. Nanoscale gas vesicle (GV) ultrasound contrast agents were functionalized with TCO via an amide coupling to lysine residues. TCO-GVs were then radiolabeled by adding compound 6 where the desired product, a new multimodal probe, was obtained in 59% radiochemical yield. SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies in mice were completed where the labeled GV’s showed uptake in the gall bladder (120 ± 29.1 %ID/g), liver (16.8 ± 7.50 %ID/g), lungs (3.26 ± 1.53 %ID/g), small intestines (14.5 ± 5.30 %ID/g), and spleen (5.47 ± 2.71 %ID/g) at 120 min post injection. In addition to radiolabelling, the TCO-GVs were also functionalized with a near IR-tetrazine dye to produce a multimodal ultrasound/photoacoustic (US/PA) imaging agent in a 68% yield. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Les nanoparticules (NPs) hybrides peuvent combiner les propriétés physiques uniques des éléments inorganiques pour des applications en imagerie et en thérapeutique avec la biocompatibilité des structures organiques. Cependant, leur utilisation en médecine est encore limitée par des risques potentiels de toxicité à long terme. Dans ce contexte, des NPs hybrides ultrafines pouvant être éliminées rapidement par la voie rénale apparaissent comme de bonnes candidates pour la nanomédicine. La NP à base de silice contenant des chélates du gadolinium appelée AGuIX (Activation et Guidage de l’Irradiation par rayon-X) a été développée avec un diamètre hydrodynamique de moins de 5 nm qui lui permet d’être éliminée rapidement via l’urine après injection intraveineuse. Cette NP s’est révélée être une sonde efficace en imagerie multimodale et un amplificateur local en radiothérapie pour le diagnostic et le traitement du cancer. Elle est en train d’être évaluée dans un essai clinique de phase I par radiothérapie des métastases cérébrales (NANO-RAD, NCT02820454). Néanmoins, la synthèse d’AGuIX est un procédé multi-étapes qui est difficilement modulable.Ce manuscrit rapporte, pour la première fois, le développement d’un protocole « one-pot » direct pour des nanoparticules de silice ultrafines (USNP) contenant des chélateurs complexés ou non à partir des précurseurs silanes chélatants moléculaires. Dans ce nouveau protocole, la taille des particules et les types des métaux chélatés peuvent être contrôlés facilement. Certaines des propriétés chimiques des USNP ont été clarifiées davantage pendant ce travail exploratoire. Les particules élaborées ont été caractérisées par différentes techniques analytiques complémentaires. Ces nouvelles nanoparticules USNPs présentent des caractéristiques similaires aux AGuIX en terms de propriétes biologiques et de biodistribution.Dans un second temps, un nouveau protocole de fonctionnalisation d’USNP par des précurseurs silanes chélatants a été développé. Ces chélatants libres fonctionnalisés sur la particule peuvent être alors utilisés afin de complexer des radiométaux pour l’imagerie bimodale. Enfin, d’autres stratégies de fonctionnalisation sont aussi décrites. La nouvelle sonde (17VTh031) combinant un petit chélateur cyclique (NODA) et un fluorophore proche-infrarouge tumeur ciblant (IR783) ainsi que le pyridinium quaternaire ont été greffés sur l’AGuIX pour créer une nouvelle sonde en imagerie multimodale et cibler des tumeurs chondrosarcomes respectivement / Hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) can combine unique physical properties for imaging and therapeutic applications of inorganic elements in bio-friendly organic structures. However, their uses in medicine are limited by the potential risks of long-term toxicities. In this context, ultrasmall renal clearable NPs appear as novel solutions. Silica based NP displaying gadolinium chelates named AGuIX (Activation and Guidance for Irradiation by X-ray) has been developed to have hydrodynamic diameter less than 5 nm which allows rapid elimination through urine after intravenous injection. This NP has been demonstrated as an efficient multimodal imaging probe and a local enhancer for radiotherapy for cancer diagnostics and treatment. It is now being evaluated in a phase I clinical trial by radiotherapy of cerebral metastases (NANO-RAD NCT02820454). Nevertheless, the synthesis of AGuIX implies a multisteps process that can be further improved.This manuscript shows, for the first time, the development of a straightforward one-pot protocol for ultrasmall silica nanoparticles (USNP) containing complexed or non-complexed chelators from molecular chelating silane precursors. In this new protocol, the size of particle and types of metals can be easily tuned. The chemical properties of USNP have been further clarified during this exploratory work. The produced particles have been characterized by different complimentary analytical techniques. These new nanoparticles USNPs show similar characteristics to AGuIX in terms of biological properties and biodistribution.Secondly, a new protocol of functionalization for USNP by chelating silane precursors has been developed. These functionalized free chelators on the particle can be used then to complex radiometals for bimodal imaging applications. Finally, other functionalization strategies have also been described. New probe (17VTh031) combining small cyclic chelator (NODA) and tumor targeting near-infrared fluorophore (IR783) as well as quaternary pyridinium have been grafted on AGuIX for creating new multimodal imaging probe and targeting chondrosarcoma tumors respectively

<p>Optical interrogation techniques are particularly well-suited for imaging tissue morphology, biological dynamics, and disease pathogenesis by providing noninvasive access to subcellular-resolution diagnostic information. State-of-the-art spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) systems provide real-time optical biopsies of in vivo tissue, and have demonstrated clinical potential, particularly for applications in ophthalmology. </p><p>Recent advances in microscopy and endoscopy have led to improved resolution and compact optical designs, beyond those of conventional imaging systems. Application of encoded and multiplexed illumination and detection schemes may allow for the development of optical tools that surpass classical imaging limitations. Furthermore, complementary technologies can be combined to create multimodal optical imaging tools with advantages over current-generation systems. </p><p>In this dissertation, the development of coherence-gated and resolution-multiplexed technologies, aimed towards applications in human vitreoretinal imaging is described. Technology development in coherence-gated systems included increasing the imaging range of SDOCT by removing the complex conjugate artifact, improving acquisition speed using a scanning spectrometer design and a two-dimensional detector array, and hardware and algorithmic implementations that facilitated imaging of Doppler flow. </p><p>Structured illumination microscopy techniques were applied for resolution enhancement, and a spectrally encoded ophthalmic imaging system was developed for en face confocal fundus imaging through a single-mode fiber. These devices were resolution-multiplexed extensions of existing ophthalmic imaging devices, such as scanning laser ophthalmoscopes (SLO), which demonstrated improved resolution and more compact optical designs as compared to their conventional counterparts.</p><p>Finally, several multimodal ophthalmic diagnostic tools were developed that combined the advantages of OCT with existing imaging devices. These included a combined SLO-OCT system and a vitreoretinal surgical microscope combined with OCT. These devices allowed for concurrent ophthalmic imaging using complementary modalities for improved visualization and clinical utility.</p> / Dissertation

Pre-clinical study of cancer often involves imaging different aspects of a tumor, ranging from visualizing sub-cellular detail to imaging of the tumor anatomy. Multimodal imaging seeks to combine imaging techniques with complementary strengths and use them to provide a more complete picture of the disease. In this dissertation work, the development of various optical, nuclear and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques applicable to the study of cancer xenografts in murine window chamber models was carried out. Two types of window chamber models were used in this work: the dorsal skinfold WC (DSFWC) model and the mammary WC (MWC) model. The MWC was specifically used to study breast cancer xenografts. In this work, optical pH imaging with a pH-sensitive fluorescent agent was used to evaluate methods to achieve tumor-specific pH modulation. Temporary tumor acidification was performed by administration of an agent that consists of glucose and meta-iodobenzylguanidine. On the other hand, re-normalization of pHₑ in acidic tumor tissue was achieved by administration of buffer solutions, such as sodium bicarbonate. A broadband reflectance spectral imaging system was developed to perform in vivo imaging of oxygen saturation in the MWC murine model. The imaging system was used to study tissue oxygenation changes in animals that receive chemotherapy. Preliminary results were obtained to evaluate the utility of the MWC murine model in imaging the spatiotemporal changes in oxygen saturation (SaO₂) as an early biomarker of response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. To study metabolic activity, nuclear imaging of radiolabeled fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) was carried out using a beta-imager, as well as a pre-clinical PET system. The 2D nuclear imaging capability of the beta-imager was cross-validated with the 3D PET imaging system. Anatomical and functional MRI was performed on the MWC murine model. Anatomical MRI was used to study tumor growth rates, which aid in the identification of animals that responded to chemotherapy. In addition, diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI, dynamic-contrast-enhancement (DCE) MRI, and perfusion MRI were performed to study various functional aspects of the tumor xenografts. Lastly, work was done to incorporate patient derived xenograft (PDX) tumors into the MWC murine model. As opposed to xenografts grown from cultured cancer cells, PDX tumors better recapitulate characteristics of human tumors. This new cancer model is aimed at improving the translational power of pre-clinical studies employing window chamber models.

Les recherches en nanotechnologies ne cessent de s’intensifier depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années du fait de leur haut potentiel dans le développement d’un large champ d’applications allant de la médecine à l’énergie de demain. Les recherches ont conduit à l’émergence de nombreuses nanoparticules aux propriétés adaptables en modifiant la composition, la taille, la forme ou encore l’état de surface. Cette modularité a permis l’apparition de nanoparticules multifonctionnelles qui ont démontré des intérêts cliniques en imagerie médicale ou pour la thérapie de certains cancers. Plus récemment, les recherches s’intéressent à l’assemblage de nanoparticules en nanostructures afin de combiner leurs propriétés au sein d’un seul assemblage. Ce manuscrit de thèse présente un nouveau procédé d’assemblage de nanoparticules inorganiques sous la forme de nanocapsules, stabilisées par un polymère et appelées Hybridosomes®. Dans une première partie, nous présentons les caractéristiques de cette nouvelle classe de nanocapsules à travers l’étude du procédé d’auto-assemblage et d’un ensemble complet de techniques de caractérisation. Nous présentons également leur évaluation en tant qu’agent de contraste pour l’Imagerie par Résonnance Magnétique (IRM). De plus, nous proposons des perspectives de recherche utilisant les Hybridosomes® comme potentielle plateforme multifonctionnelle pour l’imagerie médicale et la thérapie. Dans une seconde partie, nous présentons l’application des Hybridosomes® dans l’auto-construction des premiers films nanostructurés par un procédé de chimie électro-click. A travers plusieurs méthodes d’analyses, nous montrons la modularité des films construits ainsi que la possibilité de relargage d’un fluorochrome initié par différents stimuli. Dans une troisième partie, nous élargissons le procédé d’auto-assemblage à une autre famille de nanoparticules: les clusters octaédriques de molybdène. Pour la première fois des nanocapsules et nanosphères ont été assemblées uniquement à partir des clusters de type A2[Mo6Li8La6]. Ces nouveaux nanomatériaux ont été caractérisés et évalués pour leurs propriétés catalytiques. / Nanotechnology research activities have been intensifying for several decades as a result of its high potential in the development of a wide range of applications ranging from medicine to future’s energy. Research has led to the emergence of many nanoparticles with tunable properties by modifiying the composition, size, shape or surface properties. This versatility has led to the emergence of multifunctional nanoparticles that have demonstrated clinical interest in medical imaging or cancer therapy. More recently, research has focused on the assembly of nanoparticles into nanostructures in order to combine their properties within the same particle. This PhD manuscript present a novel process of self-assembling of inorganic nanoparticles into nanocapsules, stabilized by a polymer and called Hybridosomes®. In a first part, we present the characteristics of this new class of nanocapsules through the study of the process of self-assembly and with a full set of characterization techniques. We also present their evaluation as contrast agent for Magnetic Resonnance Imaging (MRI). Moreover, we propose future research outlooks for Hybridosomes® as a potential multifunctional platform for medical imaging and therapy. In a second part, we present the application of Hybridosomes® in the self-construction of the first nanostructured films by an electro-click process. Through several analysis techniques we demonstrate the versatility of such constructed films and their cargo release properties triggered by different stimuli. In a third part, we enlarged the process of self-assembly to another type of nanoparticles: octahedral molybdenum clusters. For the first time, nanocapsules and nanospheres exclusively based on A2[Mo6Li8La6] clusters have been self-assembled. These new types of nanomaterials have been characterized and evaluated regarding their catalytic properties.

L’imagerie préclinique se pratique majoritairement sur des modèles animaux murins principalement des souris (61%), elle représente une étape indispensable en recherche préclinique car elle suit les deux premières recommandations de la règle des 3R (réduction, raffinement et remplacement). Pour donner une signification biologique aux mesures extraites des images acquises in vivo chez la souris, il est nécessaire d’évaluer les performances des instruments utilisés mais également des procédures expérimentales en jeu. La qualification des appareils nécessite l’usage de fantômes spécifiques, et l’évaluation des méthodes impose de tester les procédures sur des individus non pathologiques, avant le passage aux expérimentations proprement dites. L’objectif de ce travail a été de développer des outils et des méthodes permettant de qualifier les instruments d’imagerie et certaines procédures in vivo. La nécessité de quantification, à partir d’images réalisées chez le petit animal, nous amène à considérer les instruments d’imagerie préclinique comme des outils métrologiques ; ce qui amène à intégrer le principe d’incertitude de mesure dans l’expression des résultats. / Preclinical imaging is mostly performed on mouse animal models (61%). It is a necessary step in preclinical research, in compliance the first two recommendations of the 3Rs rules (reduction, refinement and replacement). In order to give a biological significance to measurements extracted from in vivo-acquired mouse images, it is necessary to evaluate instruments performances but also experimental procedures involved. The qualification of apparatuses requires the use of specific phantoms while the evaluation of methods requires procedures tests on non-pathological animals before experimentations. The scope of this work was to develop tools and methods to qualify imaging instruments and in vivo procedures. The need for quantification in small animal imaging, leads us to consider preclinical imaging instruments as metrological tools; which means integrating measurement uncertainty into.

In this study we design a succession of three increasingly adept diffuse optical devices towards the simultaneous 3D imaging of blood flow and fluorescence contrasts in relatively deep tissues. These metrics together can provide future insights into the relationship between blood flow distributions and fluorescent or fluorescently tagged agents. A noncontact diffuse correlation tomography (ncDCT) device was firstly developed to recover flow by mechanically scanning a lens-based apparatus across the sample. The novel flow reconstruction technique and measuring boundary curvature were advanced in tandem. The establishment of CCD camera detection with a high sampling density and flow recovery by speckle contrast followed with the next instrument, termed speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (scDCT). In scDCT, an optical switch sequenced coherent near-infrared light into contact-based source fibers around the sample surface. A fully noncontact reflectance mode device finalized improvements by combining noncontact scDCT (nc_scDCT) and diffuse fluorescence tomography (DFT) techniques. In the combined device, a galvo-mirror directed polarized light to the sample surface. Filters and a cross polarizer in stackable tubes promoted extracting flow indices, absorption coefficients, and fluorescence concentrations (indocyanine green, ICG). The scDCT instrumentation was validated through detection of a cubical solid tissue-like phantom heterogeneity beneath a liquid phantom (background) surface where recovery of its center and dimensions agreed with the known values. The combined nc_scDCT/DFT identified both a cubical solid phantom and a tube of stepwise varying ICG concentration (absorption and fluorescence contrast). The tube imaged by nc_scDCT/DFT exhibited expected trends in absorption and fluorescence. The tube shape, orientation, and localization were recovered in general agreement with actuality. The flow heterogeneity localization was successfully extracted and its average relative flow values in agreement with previous studies. Increasing ICG concentrations induced notable disturbances in the tube region (≥ 0.25 μM/1 μM for 785 nm/830 nm) suggesting the graduating absorption (320% increase at 785 nm) introduced errors. We observe that 830 nm is lower in the ICG absorption spectrum and the correspondingly measured flow encountered less influence than 785 nm. From these results we anticipate the best practice in future studies to be utilization of a laser source with wavelength in a low region of the ICG absorption spectrum (e.g., 830 nm) or to only monitor flow prior to ICG injection or post-clearance. In addition, ncDCT was initially tested in a mouse tumor model to examine tumor size and averaged flow changes over a four-day interval. The next steps in forwarding the combined device development include the straightforward automation of data acquisition and filter rotation and applying it to in vivo tumor studies. These animal/clinical models may seek information such as simultaneous detection of tumor flow, fluorescence, and absorption contrasts or analyzing the relationship between variably sized fluorescently tagged nanoparticles and their tumor deposition relationship to flow distributions.

Cette thèse a pour but de développer des techniques en imagerie par résonance magnétique(IRM) afin de détecter des altérations neurologiques à l’échelle microscopique dans des modèlesanimaux. Deux modèles chez la souris ont été étudiés en particulier: le modèle Glio6 de glioblastomehumain et le modèle MAP6, apparenté à la schizophrénie. Les méthodologies développées ont étécentrées autour de l’IRM du tenseur de diffusion (DTI) 3D rapide et à haute résolution spatiale pourdes applications ex vivo et in vivo chez le rongeur. Dans le modèle Glio6, la migration de cellulestumorales dans le corps calleux a été précocement détectée et quantifiée alors qu’aucun signe n’étaitvisible sur les IRM anatomiques classiques. La tractographie, imagerie des fibres de la matièreblanche, a permis d’identifier des déficits de certains tracts et de leurs connectivités dans le modèleMAP6. Des altérations inhomogènes ont été détectées, avec en particulier une réduction drastique dela voie cortico-spinale, résultats mettant en exergue le rôle primordial de la protéine MAP6 lors de laneuromorphogénèse. La méthode « Super Résolution » développée puis appliquée in vivo aux sourisMAP6, a permis d’obtenir en moins d’une heure une imagerie de tractographie comparable à celleobtenue ex vivo (en 59h), ce qui ouvre la voie à des suivis longitudinaux in vivo pour des études dudéveloppement du cerveau ou de l’évaluation de nouvelles thérapies. D’autre part, une méthode IRMcellulaire in vivo quantitative a été mise en place. Le principe repose sur la mesure combinée desrelaxivités cellulaires in vitro (pouvoir à réduire les temps de relaxation T2*, T2 et T1) pour convertir lestrois paramètres de la relaxation in vivo en concentrations cellulaires. En utilisant le modèle de gliomeU87 et des cellules U937 marquées magnétiquement, les résultats ont montré qu’une très large gammede concentrations cellulaires peut être quantifiée et que la biodistribution des cellules U937 autour dela tumeur est hétérogène, information essentielle pour étudier l’efficacité d’une thérapie cellulaire. / This thesis aims to develop magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to detectneurological damage at the microscopic level in animal models. Two mouse models were examined inparticular human glioblastoma model (Glio6) and a schizophrenia mouse model (MAP6 model). Themethodologies developed were centered around 3D fast diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with highspatial resolution for ex vivo and in vivo applications in rodents. In Glio6 model, the migration oftumor cells in the corpus callosum was early detected and quantified while no signs were visible onconventional anatomical MRI. Tractography identified deficits of some tracts and their connectivity inthe MAP6 model. Inhomogeneous alterations were detected, especially with a drastic reduction of thecorticospinal pathway. Theses results highlight the crucial role of the MAP6 protein in the braindevelopment. The "Super Resolution" post-proccesing was developed and applied in vivo to MAP6mouse model. Tractography imaging comparable to that obtained ex vivo (in 59h) was obtained in lessthan one hour, paving the way for in vivo longitudinal studies as brain development studies orevaluation of new therapies. On the other hand, a in vivo cellular MRI method has been established.The principle is based on the combined measurement of cell relaxivities in vitro, to obtain in vivo cellconcentrations based on relaxation parameters. Using the U87 glioma model and U937 magneticallylabeled cells, the results showed that a wide range of cell concentrations can be quantified and thebiodistribution of U937 cells around the tumor is heterogeneous, information essential to study theeffectiveness of cell therapy.