Bioluminescent imaging (BLI)

BLI was performed on a Spectral Advanced Molecular Imaging X (Ami X) system (Spectral Instruments Imaging). Each mouse received an intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg luciferin and anesthetized by inhalation of 2% isoflurane. Mice were then placed into the camera chamber, where a controlled flow of 2% isofluane was administered via a nose cone. The photographic images were acquired and overlaid with pseudocolor luminescent images. All BLI data were analyzed with AMI View (Spectral Instruments Imaging) software. The luminescence was quantified as photon/sec as an indicator of tumor burden.