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Lapusan R, Borlan R, Focsan M. Advancing MRI with magnetic nanoparticles: a comprehensive review of translational research and clinical trials. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:2234-2259. [PMID: 38694462 PMCID: PMC11059564 DOI: 10.1039/d3na01064c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The nexus of advanced technology and medical therapeutics has ushered in a transformative epoch in contemporary medicine. Within this arena, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) emerges as a paramount tool, intertwining the advancements of technology with the art of healing. MRI's pivotal role is evident in its broad applicability, spanning from neurological diseases, soft-tissue and tumour characterization, to many more applications. Though already foundational, aspirations remain to further enhance MRI's capabilities. A significant avenue under exploration is the incorporation of innovative nanotechnological contrast agents. Forefront among these are Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs), recognized for their adaptability and safety profile. SPION's intrinsic malleability allows them to be tailored for improved biocompatibility, while their functionality is further broadened when equipped with specific targeting molecules. Yet, the path to optimization is not devoid of challenges, from renal clearance concerns to potential side effects stemming from iron overload. This review endeavors to map the intricate journey of SPIONs as MRI contrast agents, offering a chronological perspective of their evolution and deployment. We provide an in-depth current outline of the most representative and impactful pre-clinical and clinical studies centered on the integration of SPIONs in MRI, tracing their trajectory from foundational research to contemporary applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radu Lapusan
- Biomolecular Physics Department, Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca Romania
- Nanobiophotonics and Laser Microspectroscopy Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Raluca Borlan
- Nanobiophotonics and Laser Microspectroscopy Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca Romania
| | - Monica Focsan
- Biomolecular Physics Department, Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca Romania
- Nanobiophotonics and Laser Microspectroscopy Centre, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca Romania
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Bouwman JG, Custers BA, Bakker CJG, Viergever MA, Seevinck PR. isoPhasor: a generic and precise marker visualization, localization, and quantification method based on phase saddles in 3D MR imaging. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:2038-2051. [PMID: 30346055 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To derive a generic approach for accurate localization and characterization of susceptibility markers in MRI, compatible with many common types of pulse sequences, sampling trajectories, and acceleration methods. THEORY AND METHODS A susceptibility marker's dipolar phase evolution creates 3 saddles in the phase gradient of the spatial encoding, for each sampled data point in k-space. The signal originating from these saddles can be focused at the location of the marker to create positive contrast. The required phase shift can be calculated from the scan parameters and the marker properties, providing a marker detection algorithm generic for different scan types. The method was validated numerically and experimentally for a broad range of spherical susceptibility markers (0.3 < radius < 1.6 mm, 10 < |∆χ| < 3300 ppm), under various conditions. RESULTS For all numerical and experimental phantoms, the average localization error was below one third of the voxel size, whereas the average error in magnetic strength quantification was 7%. The experiments included different pulse sequences (gradient echo, spin echo [SE], and free induction decay scans), sampling strategies (Cartesian, radial), and acceleration methods (echo planar imaging EPI, turbo SE). CONCLUSION Spherical markers can be identified from their phase saddles, enabling clear visualization, precise localization, and accurate quantification of their magnetic strength, in a wide range of clinically relevant pulse sequences and sampling strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Job G Bouwman
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bram A Custers
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chris J G Bakker
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Max A Viergever
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter R Seevinck
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Gharagouzloo CA, Timms L, Qiao J, Fang Z, Nneji J, Pandya A, Kulkarni P, van de Ven AL, Ferris C, Sridhar S. Quantitative vascular neuroimaging of the rat brain using superparamagnetic nanoparticles: New insights on vascular organization and brain function. Neuroimage 2017; 163:24-33. [PMID: 28889004 PMCID: PMC5824692 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A method called Quantitative Ultra-Short Time-to-Echo Contrast Enhanced (QUTE-CE) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which utilizes superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a contrast agent to yield positive contrast angiograms with high clarity and definition is applied to the whole live rat brain. QUTE-CE MRI intensity data are particularly well suited for measuring quantitative cerebral blood volume (qCBV). A global map of qCBV in the awake resting-state with unprecedented detail was created via application of a 3D MRI rat brain atlas with 173 segmented and annotated brain areas. From this map we identified two distributed, integrated neural circuits showing the highest capillary densities in the brain. One is the neural circuitry involved with the primary senses of smell, hearing and vision and the other is the neural circuitry of memory. Under isoflurane anesthesia, these same circuits showed significant decreases in qCBV suggesting a role in consciousness. Neural circuits in the brainstem associated with the reticular activating system and the maintenance of respiration, body temperature and cardiovascular function showed an increase in qCBV with anesthesia. During awake CO2 challenge, 84 regions showed significant increases relative to an awake baseline state. This CO2 response provides a measure of cerebral vascular reactivity and regional perfusion reserve with the highest response measured in the somatosensory cortex. These results demonstrate the utility of QUTE-CE MRI for qCBV analysis and offer a new perspective on brain function and vascular organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Codi A. Gharagouzloo
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Liam Timms
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Ju Qiao
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Zihang Fang
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Joseph Nneji
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Aniket Pandya
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Praveen Kulkarni
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Psychology Department, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Anne L. van de Ven
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Craig Ferris
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Psychology Department, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston MA
| | - Srinivas Sridhar
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston MA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston MA
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Goodfellow F, Simchick GA, Mortensen LJ, Stice SL, Zhao Q. Tracking and Quantification of Magnetically Labeled Stem Cells using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2016; 26:3899-3915. [PMID: 28751853 PMCID: PMC5526633 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201504444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell based therapies have critical impacts on treatments and cures of diseases such as neurodegenerative or cardiovascular disease. In vivo tracking of stem cells labeled with magnetic contrast agents is of particular interest and importance as it allows for monitoring of the cells' bio-distribution, viability, and physiological responses. Herein, recent advances are introduced in tracking and quantification of super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles-labeled cells with magnetic resonance imaging, a noninvasive approach that can longitudinally monitor transplanted cells. This is followed by recent translational research on human stem cells that are dual-labeled with green fluorescence protein (GFP) and SPIO nanoparticles, then transplanted and tracked in a chicken embryo model. Cell labeling efficiency, viability, and cell differentiation are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory A Simchick
- Bioimaging Research Center, Regenerative Bioscience Center, and Department of Physics University of Georgia, Athens, GA. 30602, USA
| | | | | | - Qun Zhao
- Bioimaging Research Center, Regenerative Bioscience Center, and Department of Physics University of Georgia, Athens, GA. 30602, USA
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Delangre S, Vuong QL, Po C, Gallez B, Gossuin Y. Improvement of the Off-Resonance Saturation, an MRI sequence for positive contrast with SPM particles: Theoretical and experimental study. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2016; 265:99-107. [PMID: 26894477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The SuperParaMagnetic particles (SPM particles) are used as contrast agents in MRI and produce negative contrast with conventional T2 or T2(∗)-weighted sequences. Unfortunately, the SPM particle detection on images acquired with such sequences is sometimes difficult because negative contrast can be created by artifacts such as air bubbles or calcification. To overcome this problem, new sequences as Off-Resonance Saturation (ORS) were developed to produce positive contrast with SPM particles. This work explores a new way to optimize the contrast generated by the ORS sequence by increasing the number of saturation pulses applied before the imaging sequence. This modified sequence is studied with numerical simulations and experiments on agarose gel phantoms. A theoretical model able to predict the contrast for different values of the sequence parameters is also developed. The results show that the contrast increases with the saturation pulses number with an optimal value of three saturation pulses in order to avoid artifacts and limit the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) effect. The dependence of the contrast on the SPM particle concentration and sequence parameters is comparable to what was observed for the ORS sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Delangre
- Biomedical Physics Unit, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Q L Vuong
- Biomedical Physics Unit, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - C Po
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Y Gossuin
- Biomedical Physics Unit, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
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Santiesteban DY, Kubelick K, Dhada KS, Dumani D, Suggs L, Emelianov S. Monitoring/Imaging and Regenerative Agents for Enhancing Tissue Engineering Characterization and Therapies. Ann Biomed Eng 2016; 44:750-72. [PMID: 26692081 PMCID: PMC4956083 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1509-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The past three decades have seen numerous advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) therapies. However, despite the successes there is still much to be done before TERM therapies become commonplace in clinic. One of the main obstacles is the lack of knowledge regarding complex tissue engineering processes. Imaging strategies, in conjunction with exogenous contrast agents, can aid in this endeavor by assessing in vivo therapeutic progress. The ability to uncover real-time treatment progress will help shed light on the complex tissue engineering processes and lead to development of improved, adaptive treatments. More importantly, the utilized exogenous contrast agents can double as therapeutic agents. Proper use of these Monitoring/Imaging and Regenerative Agents (MIRAs) can help increase TERM therapy successes and allow for clinical translation. While other fields have exploited similar particles for combining diagnostics and therapy, MIRA research is still in its beginning stages with much of the current research being focused on imaging or therapeutic applications, separately. Advancing MIRA research will have numerous impacts on achieving clinical translations of TERM therapies. Therefore, it is our goal to highlight current MIRA progress and suggest future research that can lead to effective TERM treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Y Santiesteban
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, 1 University Station, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, 313 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Kelsey Kubelick
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 777 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, 313 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Kabir S Dhada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, 1 University Station, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Diego Dumani
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 777 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, 313 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Laura Suggs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 107 W. Dean Keeton, BME Building, 1 University Station, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Stanislav Emelianov
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 777 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University School of Medicine, 313 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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Wang L, Zhong X, Qian W, Huang J, Cao Z, Yu Q, Lipowska M, Lin R, Wang A, Yang L, Mao H. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging of receptor targeted magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in mouse tumor models. J Magn Reson Imaging 2015; 40:1071-81. [PMID: 25485347 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging approach for improving the detection of receptor targeted magnetic nanoparticles in cancer xenograft models using positive contrast. MATERIALS AND METHODS Iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP) conjugated with tumor targeting ligands were prepared. A 3D UTE gradient echo sequence with the shortest TE of 0.07 msec was evaluated on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner using IONP solution, cancer cells bound with targeted IONPs and orthotopic human pancreatic, and breast cancer mouse models administered tumor targeting IONPs. A simulation was performed to analyze contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) of UTE images and subtraction of the images obtained UTE and longer TE (SubUTE). T2-weighted imaging and T2 relaxometry mapping were applied for comparison and validation. RESULTS UTE and SubUTE images showed positive contrast in pancreatic tumors accumulated with EGFR targeted ScFvEGFR-IONPs and mammary tumors accumulated with uPAR targeted ATF-IONPs. The positive contrast observed in UTE images was consistent with the negative contrast observed in the T2-weighted images. A flip angle of 10° and a maximal possible TE for the second echo are suitable for SubUTE imaging. CONCLUSION UTE imaging is capable of detecting tumor targeted IONPs in vivo with positive contrast in molecular MRI applications.
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Quantification of susceptibility change at high-concentrated SPIO-labeled target by characteristic phase gradient recognition. Magn Reson Imaging 2015; 34:552-61. [PMID: 26592796 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Phase map cross-correlation detection and quantification may produce highlighted signal at superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, and distinguish them from other hypointensities. The method may quantify susceptibility change by performing least squares analysis between a theoretically generated magnetic field template and an experimentally scanned phase image. Because characteristic phase recognition requires the removal of phase wrap and phase background, additional steps of phase unwrapping and filtering may increase the chance of computing error and enlarge the inconsistence among algorithms. To solve problem, phase gradient cross-correlation and quantification method is developed by recognizing characteristic phase gradient pattern instead of phase image because phase gradient operation inherently includes unwrapping and filtering functions. However, few studies have mentioned the detectable limit of currently used phase gradient calculation algorithms. The limit may lead to an underestimation of large magnetic susceptibility change caused by high-concentrated iron accumulation. In this study, mathematical derivation points out the value of maximum detectable phase gradient calculated by differential chain algorithm in both spatial and Fourier domain. To break through the limit, a modified quantification method is proposed by using unwrapped forward differentiation for phase gradient generation. The method enlarges the detectable range of phase gradient measurement and avoids the underestimation of magnetic susceptibility. Simulation and phantom experiments were used to quantitatively compare different methods. In vivo application performs MRI scanning on nude mice implanted by iron-labeled human cancer cells. Results validate the limit of detectable phase gradient and the consequent susceptibility underestimation. Results also demonstrate the advantage of unwrapped forward differentiation compared with differential chain algorithms for susceptibility quantification at high-concentrated iron accumulation.
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9
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Gharagouzloo CA, McMahon PN, Sridhar S. Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI with superparamagnetic nanoparticles using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences. Magn Reson Med 2015; 74:431-41. [PMID: 25168606 PMCID: PMC6691359 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Conventional MRI using contrast agents is semiquantitative because it is inherently sensitive to extravoxular susceptibility artifacts, field inhomogeneity, partial voluming, perivascular effects, and motion/flow artifacts. Herein we demonstrate a quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI technique using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences for measuring clinically relevant concentrations of ferumoxytol, a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle contrast agent with high sensitivity and precision in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The method achieves robust, reproducible results by using rapid signal acquisition at ultrashort time-to-echo (UTE) to produce positive contrast images with pure T1 weighting and little T2* decay. The spoiled gradient echo equation is used to transform UTE intensities directly into concentration using experimentally determined relaxivity constants and image acquisition parameters. RESULTS A multiparametric optimization of acquisition parameters revealed an optimal zone capable of producing high-fidelity measurements. Clinically relevant intravascular concentrations of ferumoxytol were measured longitudinally in mice with high sensitivity and precision (∼7.1% error). MRI measurements were independently validated by elemental iron analysis of sequential blood draws. Automated segmentation of ferumoxytol concentration yielded high quality three-dimensional images for visualization of perfusion. CONCLUSIONS This ability to longitudinally quantify blood pool CA concentration is unique to quantitative UTE contrast-enhanced (QUTE-CE) MRI and makes QUTE-CE MRI competitive with nuclear imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Codi Amir Gharagouzloo
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick N. McMahon
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Srinivas Sridhar
- Nanomedicine Science and Technology Center, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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10
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Delangre S, Vuong QL, Henrard D, Po C, Gallez B, Gossuin Y. Bottom-up study of the MRI positive contrast created by the Off-Resonance Saturation sequence. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2015; 254:98-109. [PMID: 25863894 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2015.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPM particles) are used in MRI to highlight regions such as tumors through negative contrast. Unfortunately, sources as air bubbles or tissues interfaces also lead to negative contrast, which complicates the image interpretation. New MRI sequences creating positive contrast in the particle surrounding, such as the Off-Resonance Saturation sequence (ORS), have thus been developed. However, a theoretical study of the ORS sequence is still lacking, which hampers the optimization of this sequence. For this reason, this work provides a self-consistent analytical expression able to predict the dependence of the contrast on the sequence parameters and the SPM particles properties. This expression was validated by numerical simulations and experiments on agarose gel phantoms on a 11.7 T scanner system. It provides a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms leading to positive contrast, which could allow the improvement of the sequence for future in vivo applications. The influence of the SPM particle relaxivities, the SPM particle concentration, the echo time and the saturation pulse parameters on the contrast were investigated. The best contrast was achieved with SPM particles possessing the smallest transverse relaxivity, an optimal particle concentration and for low echo times.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Delangre
- Biomedical Physics Department, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Q L Vuong
- Biomedical Physics Department, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - D Henrard
- Biomedical Physics Department, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - C Po
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Y Gossuin
- Biomedical Physics Department, Université de Mons, Place du Parc 20, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
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Delangre S, Vuong QL, Henrard D, Magat J, Po C, Gallez B, Gossuin Y. Theoretical and experimental study of ON-Resonance Saturation, an MRI sequence for positive contrast with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2015; 252:151-162. [PMID: 25700117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2015.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPM particles) are widely used in MRI as negative contrast agents. Their detection is sometimes difficult because negative contrast can be caused by different artifacts. To overcome this problem, MRI protocols achieving positive contrast specific to SPM particles were developed such as the ON-Resonance Saturation (ONRS) sequence. The aim of the present work is to achieve a bottom-up study of the ONRS sequence by an understanding of the physical mechanisms leading to positive contrast. A complete theoretical modeling, a novel numerical simulation approach and experiments on agarose gel phantoms on a 11.7 T MRI system were carried out for this purpose. The influence of the particle properties and concentration - as well as the effect of the sequence parameters on the contrast - were investigated. It was observed that theory and experiments were in strong agreement. The tools developed in this work allowed to predict the parameters leading to the maximum contrast. For example, particles presenting a low transverse relaxivity can provide an interesting positive contrast after optimization of their concentration in the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Delangre
- Biomedical Physics Department, University of Mons, 24, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Q L Vuong
- Biomedical Physics Department, University of Mons, 24, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - D Henrard
- Biomedical Physics Department, University of Mons, 24, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - J Magat
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 73, Avenue E. Mounier, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Po
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 73, Avenue E. Mounier, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 73, Avenue E. Mounier, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Y Gossuin
- Biomedical Physics Department, University of Mons, 24, Avenue du Champ de Mars, 7000 Mons, Belgium.
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Danhier P, De Preter G, Magat J, Godechal Q, Porporato PE, Jordan BF, Feron O, Sonveaux P, Gallez B. Multimodal cell tracking of a spontaneous metastasis model: comparison between MRI, electron paramagnetic resonance and bioluminescence. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 9:143-53. [PMID: 24523059 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Revised: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
MRI cell tracking is a promising technique for tracking various cell types in living animals. Usually, cells are incubated with iron oxides so that the particles are taken up before the cells are injected in vivo. In the present study, we aimed to monitor migration of luciferase-expressing mouse renal cancer cells (RENCA-luc) after intrarenal or intrasplenic injection. These cells were labelled using Molday Ion Rhodamine B (MIRB) fluorescent superparamagnetic iron oxide particles. Their fate after injection was first assessed using ex vivo X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. This biodistribution study showed that RENCA-luc cells quickly colonized the lungs and the liver after intrarenal and intrasplenic injection, respectively. Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) studies confirmed that this cell line preferentially metastasized to these organs. Early tracking of labelled RENCA-luc cells in the liver using high-field MRI (11.7 T) was not feasible because of a lack of sensitivity. MRI of MIRB-labelled RENCA-luc cells after injection in the left kidney was then performed. T2 - and T2 *-weighted images showed that the labelled cells induced hypointense signals at the injection site. Nevertheless, the hypointense regions tended to disappear after several days, mainly owing to dilution of the MIRB iron oxides with cell proliferation. In conclusion, EPR is well adapted to ex vivo analysis of tissues after cell tracking experiments and allows short-term monitoring of metastasizing cells. MRI is a suitable tool for checking labelled cells at their injection site, but dilution of the iron oxides owing to cell division remains a major limitation. BLI remains the most suitable technique for long-term monitoring of metastatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Danhier
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Jin R, Lin B, Li D, Ai H. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for MR imaging and therapy: design considerations and clinical applications. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2014; 18:18-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Wang L, Potter WM, Zhao Q. In vivo quantification of SPIO nanoparticles for cell labeling based on MR phase gradient images. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 10:43-50. [PMID: 24764174 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Along with the development of modern imaging technologies, contrast agents play increasingly important roles in both clinical applications and scientific research. Super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, a negative contrast agent, have been extensively used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such as in vivo labeling and tracking of cells. However, there still remain many challenges, such as in vivo quantification of SPIO nanoparticles. In this work, an MR phase gradient-based method was proposed to quantify the SPIO nanoparticles. As a calibration, a phantom experiment using known concentrations (10, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 250 µg/ml) of SPIO was first conducted to verify the proposed quantification method. In a following in vivo experiment, C6 glioma cells labeled with SPIO nanoparticles were implanted into flanks of four mice, which were scanned 1-3 days post-injection for in vivo quantification of SPIO concentration. The results showed that the concentration of SPIO nanoparticles could be determined in both phantom and in vivo experiments using the developed MR phase gradients approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luning Wang
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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15
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Clavijo Jordan MV, Beeman SC, Baldelomar EJ, Bennett KM. Disruptive chemical doping in a ferritin-based iron oxide nanoparticle to decrease r2 and enhance detection with T1-weighted MRI. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 9:323-32. [PMID: 24764110 DOI: 10.1002/cmmi.1578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic doping was used to create flexible, paramagnetic nanoparticle contrast agents for in vivo molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with low transverse relaxivity (r2). Most nanoparticle contrast agents formed from superparamagnetic metal oxides are developed with high r2. While sensitive, they can have limited in vivo detection due to a number of constraints with T2 or T2*-weighted imaging. T1-weighted imaging is often preferred for molecular MRI, but most T1-shortening agents are small chelates with low metal payload or are nanoparticles that also shorten T2 and limit the range of concentrations detectable with T1-weighting. Here we used tungsten and iron deposition to form doped iron oxide crystals inside the apoferritin cavity to form a WFe nanoparticle with a disordered crystal and un-coupled atomic magnetic moments. The atomic magnetic moments were thus localized, resulting in a principally paramagnetic nanoparticle. The WFe nanoparticles had no coercivity or saturation magnetization at 5 K and sweeping up to ± 20,000 Oe, while native ferritin had a coercivity of 3000 Oe and saturation at ± 20,000 Oe. This tungsten-iron crystal paramagnetism resulted in an increased WFe particle longitudinal relaxivity (r1) of 4870 mm(-1) s(-1) and a reduced transverse relaxivity (r2) of 9076 mm(-1) s(-1) compared with native ferritin. The accumulation of the particles was detected with T1-weighted MRI in concentrations from 20 to 400 nm in vivo, both injected in the rat brain and targeted to the rat kidney glomerulus. The WFe apoferritin nanoparticles were not cytotoxic up to 700 nm particle concentrations, making them potentially important for targeted molecular MRI.
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Deligianni X, Jirák D, Berková Z, Hájek M, Scheffler K, Bieri O. In vivo visualization of cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxides by a sub-millisecond gradient echo sequence. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2013; 27:329-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s10334-013-0422-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Seven-tesla magnetic resonance imaging accurately quantifies intratumoral uptake of therapeutic nanoparticles in the McA rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma: preclinical study in a rodent model. Invest Radiol 2013; 49:87-92. [PMID: 24089022 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e3182a7e1b7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES After inducing McA tumors in Sprague-Dawley rats (McA-SD), the following hypotheses were tested: first, that hypervascular McA tumors grown in Sprague-Dawley rats provide a suitable platform to investigate drug delivery; and second, that high-field MRI can be used to measure intratumoral uptake of DOX-SPIOs. MATERIALS AND METHODS McA cells were implanted into the livers of 18 Sprague-Dawley rats. In successfully inoculated animals, 220-μL DOX-SPIOs were delivered to tumors via the intravenous or intra-arterial route. Pretreatment and posttreatment T2*-weighted images were obtained using 7-T MRI, and change in R2* value (ΔR2*) was obtained from mean signal intensities of tumors in these images. Tumor iron concentration ([Fe]), an indicator of DOX-SPIO uptake, was measured using mass spectroscopy. The primary outcome variable was the Pearson correlation between ΔR2* and [Fe]. RESULTS Tumors grew successfully in 13 of the 18 animals (72%). Mean (SD) maximum tumor diameter was 0.83 (0.25) cm. The results of phantom studies revealed a strong positive correlation between ΔR2* and [Fe], with r = 0.98 (P < 0.01). The results of in vivo drug uptake studies demonstrated a positive correlation between ΔR2* and [Fe], with r = 0.72 (P = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS The McA tumors grown in the Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated uptake of nanoparticle-based therapeutic agents. Magnetic resonance imaging quantification of intratumoral uptake strongly correlated with iron concentrations in pathological specimens, suggesting that MRI may be used to quantify uptake of iron-oxide nanotherapeutics.
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Vonken EJPA, Schär M, Yu J, Bakker CJG, Stuber M. Direct in vitro comparison of six three-dimensional positive contrast methods for susceptibility marker imaging. J Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 38:344-57. [PMID: 23281151 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.23976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare different techniques for positive contrast imaging of susceptibility markers with MRI for three-dimensional visualization. As several different techniques have been reported, the choice of the suitable method depends on its properties with regard to the amount of positive contrast and the desired background suppression, as well as other imaging constraints needed for a specific application. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six different positive contrast techniques are investigated for their ability to image at 3 Tesla a single susceptibility marker in vitro. The white marker method (WM), susceptibility gradient mapping (SGM), inversion recovery with on-resonant water suppression (IRON), frequency selective excitation (FSX), fast low flip-angle positive contrast SSFP (FLAPS), and iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) were implemented and investigated. RESULTS The different methods were compared with respect to the volume of positive contrast, the product of volume and signal intensity, imaging time, and the level of background suppression. Quantitative results are provided, and strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches are discussed. CONCLUSION The appropriate choice of positive contrast imaging technique depends on the desired level of background suppression, acquisition speed, and robustness against artifacts, for which in vitro comparative data are now available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evert-jan P A Vonken
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. evertjan–isi.uu.nl
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Bakker CJG, de Leeuw H, Seevinck PR. Selective depiction of susceptibility transitions using Laplace-filtered phase maps. Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 30:601-9. [PMID: 22406615 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2011.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we aim to demonstrate the ability of Laplace-filtered three-dimensional (3D) phase maps to selectively depict the susceptibility transitions in an object. To realize this goal, it is first shown that both the Laplace derivative of the z component of the static magnetic field in an object and the Laplacian of the corresponding phase distribution may be expected to be zero in regions of constant or linearly varying susceptibility and to be nonzero when there is an abrupt change in susceptibility, for instance, at a single point, a ridge, an interface, an edge or a boundary. Next, a method is presented by which the Laplace derivative of a 3D phase map can be directly extracted from the complex data, without the need for phase unwrapping or subtraction of a reference image. The validity of this approach and of the theory behind it is subsequently demonstrated by simulations and phantom experiments with exactly known susceptibility distributions. Finally, the potential of the Laplace derivative analysis is illustrated by simulations with a Shepp-Logan digital brain phantom and experiments with a gel phantom containing positive and negative focal susceptibility deviations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris J G Bakker
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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de Leeuw H, Bakker C. Correction of gradient echo images for first and second order macroscopic signal dephasing using phase derivative mapping. Neuroimage 2012; 60:818-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.11.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Huang J, Zhong X, Wang L, Yang L, Mao H. Improving the magnetic resonance imaging contrast and detection methods with engineered magnetic nanoparticles. Theranostics 2012; 2:86-102. [PMID: 22272222 PMCID: PMC3263519 DOI: 10.7150/thno.4006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering and functionalizing magnetic nanoparticles have been an area of the extensive research and development in the biomedical and nanomedicine fields. Because their biocompatibility and toxicity are well investigated and better understood, magnetic nanoparticles, especially iron oxide nanoparticles, are better suited materials as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for image-directed delivery of therapeutics. Given tunable magnetic properties and various surface chemistries from the coating materials, most applications of engineered magnetic nanoparticles take advantages of their superb MRI contrast enhancing capability as well as surface functionalities. It has been found that MRI contrast enhancement by magnetic nanoparticles is highly dependent on the composition, size and surface properties as well as the degree of aggregation of the nanoparticles. Therefore, understanding the relationships between these intrinsic parameters and the relaxivities that contribute to MRI contrast can lead to establishing essential guidance that may direct the design of engineered magnetic nanoparticles for theranostics applications. On the other hand, new contrast mechanism and imaging strategy can be developed based on the novel properties of engineered magnetic nanoparticles. This review will focus on discussing the recent findings on some chemical and physical properties of engineered magnetic nanoparticles affecting the relaxivities as well as the impact on MRI contrast. Furthermore, MRI methods for imaging magnetic nanoparticles including several newly developed MRI approaches aiming at improving the detection and quantification of the engineered magnetic nanoparticles are described.
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Langley J, Potter W, Phipps C, Huang F, Zhao Q. A self-reference PRF-shift MR thermometry method utilizing the phase gradient. Phys Med Biol 2011; 56:N307-20. [DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/56/24/n02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Sigovan M, Hamoudeh M, Al Faraj A, Charpigny D, Fessi H, Canet-Soulas E. Positive contrast with therapeutic iron nanoparticles at 4.7 T. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2011; 24:259-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s10334-011-0258-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Langley J, Liu W, Jordan EK, Frank JA, Zhao Q. Quantification of SPIO nanoparticles in vivo using the finite perturber method. Magn Reson Med 2011; 65:1461-9. [PMID: 21500271 PMCID: PMC3612521 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.22727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2010] [Revised: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 10/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The susceptibility gradients generated by super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles make them an ideal contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging. Traditional quantification methods for SPIO nanoparticle-based contrast agents rely on either mapping T₂* values within a region or by modeling the magnetic field inhomogeneities generated by the contrast agent. In this study, a new model-based SPIO quantification method is introduced. The proposed method models magnetic field inhomogeneities by approximating regions containing SPIOs as ensembles of magnetic dipoles, referred to as the finite perturber method. The proposed method was verified using data acquired from a phantom and in vivo mouse models. The phantom consisted of an agar solution with four embedded vials, each vial containing known but different concentrations of SPIO nanoparticles. Gaussian noise was also added to the phantom data to test performance of the proposed method. The in vivo dataset was acquired using five mice, each of which was subcutaneously implanted in the flanks with 1 × 10(5) labeled and 1 × 10(6) unlabeled C6 glioma cells. For the phantom data set, the proposed algorithm was generate accurate estimations of the concentration of SPIOs. For the in vivo dataset, the method was able to give estimations of the concentration within SPIO-labeled tumors that are reasonably close to the known concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Langley
- Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, BioImaging Research Center (BIRC), The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Wei Liu
- Phillips Research Laboratories, Briarcliff, NY
| | - E Kay Jordan
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center and Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - J. A. Frank
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center and Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Qun Zhao
- Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, BioImaging Research Center (BIRC), The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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