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Gao J, Jiang M, Erricolo D, Magin RL, Morfini G, Royston T, Larson AC, Li W. Identifying potential imaging markers for diffusion property changes in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Application of the continuous time random walk model to ultrahigh b-value diffusion-weighted MR images of spinal cord tissue. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 37:e5037. [PMID: 37721118 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Diffusion MRI (dMRI) explores tissue microstructures by analyzing diffusion-weighted signal decay measured at different b-values. While relatively low b-values are used for most dMRI models, high b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) techniques have gained interest given that the non-Gaussian water diffusion behavior observed at high b-values can yield potentially valuable information. In this study, we investigated anomalous diffusion behaviors associated with degeneration of spinal cord tissue using a continuous time random walk (CTRW) model for DWI data acquired across an extensive range of ultrahigh b-values. The diffusion data were acquired in situ from the lumbar level of spinal cords of wild-type and age-matched transgenic SOD1G93A mice, a well-established animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) featuring progressive degeneration of axonal tracts in this tissue. Based on the diffusion decay behaviors at low and ultrahigh b-values, we applied the CTRW model using various combinations of b-values and compared diffusion metrics calculated from the CTRW model between the experimental groups. We found that diffusion-weighted signal decay curves measured with ultrahigh b-values (up to 858,022 s/mm2 in this study) were well represented by the CTRW model. The anomalous diffusion coefficient obtained from lumbar spinal cords was significantly higher in SOD1G93A mice compared with control mice (14.7 × 10-5 ± 5.54 × 10-5 vs. 7.87 × 10-5 ± 2.48 × 10-5 mm2 /s, p = 0.01). We believe this is the first study to illustrate the efficacy of the CTRW model for analyzing anomalous diffusion regimes at ultrahigh b-values. The CTRW modeling of ultrahigh b-value dMRI can potentially present a novel approach for noninvasively evaluating alterations in spinal cord tissue associated with ALS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Preclinical Imaging Core, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mingchen Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Danilo Erricolo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas Royston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew C Larson
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Weiguo Li
- Preclinical Imaging Core, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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2
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Tu LF, Zhang TZ, Zhou YF, Zhou QQ, Gong HB, Liang L, Hai LN, You NX, Su Y, Chen YJ, Mo XK, Shi CZ, Luo LP, Sun WY, Duan WJ, Kurihara H, Li YF, He RR. GPX4 deficiency-dependent phospholipid peroxidation drives motor deficits of ALS. J Adv Res 2022; 43:205-218. [PMID: 36585109 PMCID: PMC9811330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by oxidative stress that triggers motor neurons loss in the brain and spinal cord. However, the mechanisms underlying the exact role of oxidative stress in ALS-associated neural degeneration are not definitively established. Oxidative stress-generated phospholipid peroxides are known to have extensive physiological and pathological consequences to tissues. Here, we discovered that the deficiency of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), an essential antioxidant peroxidase, led to the accumulation of phospholipid peroxides and resulted in a loss of motor neurons in spinal cords of ALS mice. Mutant human SOD1G93A transgenic mice were intrathecally injected with neuron-targeted adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing GPX4 (GPX4-AAV) or phospholipid peroxidation inhibitor, ferrostatin-1. The results showed that impaired motor performance and neural loss induced by SOD1G93A toxicity in the lumbar spine were substantially alleviated by ferrostatin-1 treatment and AAV-mediated GPX4 delivery. In addition, the denervation of neuron-muscle junction and spinal atrophy in ALS mice were rescued by neural GPX4 overexpression, suggesting that GPX4 is essential for the motor neural maintenance and function. In comparison, conditional knockdown of Gpx4 in the spinal cords of Gpx4fl/fl mice triggered an obvious increase of phospholipid peroxides and the occurrence of ALS-like motor phenotype. Altogether, our findings underscore the importance of GPX4 in maintaining phospholipid redox homeostasis in the spinal cord and presents GPX4 as an attractive therapeutic target for ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Fang Tu
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Research Center, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tian-Ze Zhang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yang-Fan Zhou
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Qing-Qing Zhou
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hai-Biao Gong
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lei Liang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Lin-Na Hai
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Nan-Xin You
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yang Su
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yong-Jun Chen
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xu-Kai Mo
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chang-Zheng Shi
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Liang-Ping Luo
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wan-Yang Sun
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wen-Jun Duan
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Hiroshi Kurihara
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yi-Fang Li
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Rong-Rong He
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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3
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Naito E, Nakata K, Sakai H, Yamato O, Islam MS, Maeda S, Kamishina H. Diffusion tensor imaging-based quantitative analysis of the spinal cord in Pembroke Welsh Corgis with degenerative myelopathy. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 84:199-207. [PMID: 34897158 PMCID: PMC8920728 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the
spinal cord. The diagnosis is based on the observation of clinical signs, genetic testing,
and exclusion of other spinal cord diseases, and a definitive diagnosis of DM can only be
confirmed by postmortem histopathological findings. The aim of this study was to
investigate the diagnostic ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for DM. Eight
DM-affected Pembroke Welsh Corgis, thirteen dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk
herniation (IVDH), and six healthy control dogs were included. All dogs were scanned using
a 3.0-T MRI system. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA)
values were calculated for each intervertebral disk level slice between T8–T9 and L2–L3
intervertebral disk levels, and the entire area of the thoracolumbar spinal cord between
T8–T9 and L2–L3 intervertebral disk levels (T8–L3 region). The ADC and FA values of the
T8–L3 region were significantly lower in the DM group than in the IVDH group. The ADC
values for the T8–L3 region had a moderate negative correlation with clinical duration
(rs= −0.723, P=0.043); however, the FA
values of other intervertebral disk levels and T8–L3 region had no correlation with
clinical durations. The measurement of DTI indices can be used to quantitatively assess
neurodegeneration and may have diagnostic value for DM. In particular, the ADC value of
the T8–L3 region may aid in making a non-invasive premortem diagnosis of DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Naito
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
| | - Kohei Nakata
- The Animal Medical Center of Gifu University, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University
| | - Hiroki Sakai
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
| | - Osamu Yamato
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Kagoshima University
| | | | - Sadatoshi Maeda
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University.,The Animal Medical Center of Gifu University, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University
| | - Hiroaki Kamishina
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University.,The Animal Medical Center of Gifu University, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University
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4
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Raffaele S, Boccazzi M, Fumagalli M. Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030565. [PMID: 33807572 PMCID: PMC8000560 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelin is the lipid-rich structure formed by oligodendrocytes (OLs) that wraps the axons in multilayered sheaths, assuring protection, efficient saltatory signal conduction and metabolic support to neurons. In the last few years, the impact of OL dysfunction and myelin damage has progressively received more attention and is now considered to be a major contributing factor to neurodegeneration in several neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Upon OL injury, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) of adult nervous tissue sustain the generation of new OLs for myelin reconstitution, but this spontaneous regeneration process fails to successfully counteract myelin damage. Of note, the functions of OPCs exceed the formation and repair of myelin, and also involve the trophic support to axons and the capability to exert an immunomodulatory role, which are particularly relevant in the context of neurodegeneration. In this review, we deeply analyze the impact of dysfunctional OLs in ALS pathogenesis. The possible mechanisms underlying OL degeneration, defective OPC maturation, and impairment in energy supply to motor neurons (MNs) have also been examined to provide insights on future therapeutic interventions. On this basis, we discuss the potential therapeutic utility in ALS of several molecules, based on their remyelinating potential or capability to enhance energy metabolism.
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5
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Shao X, Fan S, Luo H, Wong TY, Zhang W, Guan H, Qiu A. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Anti-Leucine-Rich Glioma-Inactivated 1 Encephalitis and Their Clinical Relevance: A Single-Center Study in China. Front Neurol 2021; 11:618109. [PMID: 33510707 PMCID: PMC7835512 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.618109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To characterize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) encephalitis and explore their clinical relevance. Methods: Patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis who underwent MRI at our center were included in this study. Baseline and follow-up MRI characteristics were evaluated, and relationships between lesion location and clinical symptoms were analyzed. The extent of signal abnormalities within the lesion overlap region was measured and correlated with modified Rankin Scale scores and serum antibody titer. Results: Seventy-six patients were enrolled, of which 57 (75%) were classified as MR positive. Brain lesions were located in medial temporal lobe (MTL) (89%) and basal ganglia (BG) (28%). Hippocampus and amygdala were lesion hubs with more than 50% lesion overlap. BG lesions were found in 30% of patients with faciobrachial dystonic seizure (FBDS) and only 7% of patients without FBDS (p = 0.013). Meanwhile, MTL lesions were more commonly observed in patients with memory impairment (70 vs. 0%, p = 0.017). MRI features included hyperintensity and edema at baseline, as well as hypointensity and atrophy at follow-up. Correlations between signal intensity of lesion hubs (including hippocampus and amygdala) and modified Rankin Scale scores were found on T2 (r = 0.414, p < 0.001) and diffusion-weighted imaging (r = 0.456, p < 0.001). Conclusion: MTL and BG are two important structures affected by anti-LGI1 encephalitis, and they are associated with distinctive symptoms. Our study provided evidence from Chinese patients that BG lesions are more commonly observed in patients with FBDS, potentially suggesting BG localization. Furthermore, in addition to supporting diagnosis, MRI has the potential to quantify disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiali Shao
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siyuan Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Luo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ting Yat Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weihong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongzhi Guan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Anqi Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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6
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Gatto RG, Weissmann C. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Preclinical and Human Studies of Huntington's Disease: What Have we Learned so Far? Curr Med Imaging 2020; 15:521-542. [PMID: 32008561 DOI: 10.2174/1573405614666181115113400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's Disease is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive deterioration of specific brain nerve cells. The current evaluation of cellular and physiological events in patients with HD relies on the development of transgenic animal models. To explore such events in vivo, diffusion tensor imaging has been developed to examine the early macro and microstructural changes in brain tissue. However, the gap in diffusion tensor imaging findings between animal models and clinical studies and the lack of microstructural confirmation by histological methods has questioned the validity of this method. OBJECTIVE This review explores white and grey matter ultrastructural changes associated to diffusion tensor imaging, as well as similarities and differences between preclinical and clinical Huntington's Disease studies. METHODS A comprehensive review of the literature using online-resources was performed (Pub- Med search). RESULTS Similar changes in fractional anisotropy as well as axial, radial and mean diffusivities were observed in white matter tracts across clinical and animal studies. However, comparative diffusion alterations in different grey matter structures were inconsistent between clinical and animal studies. CONCLUSION Diffusion tensor imaging can be related to specific structural anomalies in specific cellular populations. However, some differences between animal and clinical studies could derive from the contrasting neuroanatomy or connectivity across species. Such differences should be considered before generalizing preclinical results into the clinical practice. Moreover, current limitations of this technique to accurately represent complex multicellular events at the single micro scale are real. Future work applying complex diffusion models should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Gabriel Gatto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
| | - Carina Weissmann
- Insituto de Fisiología Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias-IFIBYNE-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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7
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Müller HP, Roselli F, Rasche V, Kassubek J. Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Based Studies at the Group-Level Applied to Animal Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:734. [PMID: 32982659 PMCID: PMC7487414 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The understanding of human and non-human microstructural brain alterations in the course of neurodegenerative diseases has substantially improved by the non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Animal models (including disease or knockout models) allow for a variety of experimental manipulations, which are not applicable to humans. Thus, the DTI approach provides a promising tool for cross-species cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations of the neurobiological targets and mechanisms of neurodegeneration. This overview with a systematic review focuses on the principles of DTI analysis as used in studies at the group level in living preclinical models of neurodegeneration. The translational aspect from in-vivo animal models toward (clinical) applications in humans is covered as well as the DTI-based research of the non-human brains' microstructure, the methodological aspects in data processing and analysis, and data interpretation at different abstraction levels. The aim of integrating DTI in multiparametric or multimodal imaging protocols will allow the interrogation of DTI data in terms of directional flow of information and may identify the microstructural underpinnings of neurodegeneration-related patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Roselli
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Volker Rasche
- Core Facility Small Animal MRI, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Gatto RG, Weissmann C, Amin M, Finkielsztein A, Sumagin R, Mareci TH, Uchitel OD, Magin RL. Assessing neuraxial microstructural changes in a transgenic mouse model of early stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by ultra-high field MRI and diffusion tensor metrics. Animal Model Exp Med 2020; 3:117-129. [PMID: 32613171 PMCID: PMC7323706 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cell structural changes are one of the main features observed during the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this work, we propose the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics to assess specific ultrastructural changes in the central nervous system during the early neurodegenerative stages of ALS. METHODS Ultra-high field MRI and DTI data at 17.6T were obtained from fixed, excised mouse brains, and spinal cords from ALS (G93A-SOD1) mice. RESULTS Changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) and linear, planar, and spherical anisotropy ratios (CL, CP, and CS, respectively) of the diffusion eigenvalues were measured in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) areas associated with early axonal degenerative processes (in both the brain and the spinal cord). Specifically, in WM structures (corpus callosum, corticospinal tract, and spinal cord funiculi) as the disease progressed, FA, CL, and CP values decreased, whereas CS values increased. In GM structures (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and central spinal cord) FA and CP decreased, whereas the CL and CS values were unchanged or slightly smaller. Histological studies of a fluorescent mice model (YFP, G93A-SOD1 mouse) corroborated the early alterations in neuronal morphology and axonal connectivity measured by DTI. CONCLUSIONS Changes in diffusion tensor shape were observed in this animal model at the early, nonsymptomatic stages of ALS. Further studies of CL, CP, and CS as imaging biomarkers should be undertaken to refine this neuroimaging tool for future clinical use in the detection of the early stages of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G. Gatto
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoILUSA
| | - Carina Weissmann
- Instituto de Fisiología Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias‐IFIBYNE‐CONICETUniversity of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Manish Amin
- Department of BiochemistryNational High Magnetic Field LaboratoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Ariel Finkielsztein
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Ronen Sumagin
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Thomas H. Mareci
- Department of BiochemistryNational High Magnetic Field LaboratoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Osvaldo D. Uchitel
- Instituto de Fisiología Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias‐IFIBYNE‐CONICETUniversity of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Richard L. Magin
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoILUSA
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9
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Gao J, Jiang M, Magin RL, Gatto RG, Morfini G, Larson AC, Li W. Multicomponent diffusion analysis reveals microstructural alterations in spinal cord of a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ex vivo. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231598. [PMID: 32310954 PMCID: PMC7170503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The microstructure changes associated with degeneration of spinal axons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be reflected in altered water diffusion properties, potentially detectable with diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI. Prior work revealed the classical mono-exponential model fails to precisely depict decay in DW signal at high b-values. In this study, we aim to investigate signal decay behaviors at ultra-high b-values for non-invasive assessment of spinal cord alterations in the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. A multiexponential diffusion analysis using regularized non-negative least squares (rNNLS) algorithm was applied to a series of thirty DW MR images with b-values ranging from 0 to 858,022 s/mm2 on ex vivo spinal cords of transgenic SOD1G93A and age-matched control mice. We compared the distributions of measured diffusion coefficient fractions between the groups. The measured diffusion weighted signals in log-scale showed non-linear decay behaviors with increased b-values. Faster signal decays were observed with diffusion gradients applied parallel to the long axis of the spinal cord compared to when oriented in the transverse direction. Multiexponential analysis at the lumbar level in the spinal cord identified ten subintervals. A significant decrease of diffusion coefficient fractions was found in the ranges of [1.63×10−8,3.70×10−6] mm2/s (P = 0.0002) and of [6.01×10−6,4.20×10−5] mm2/s (P = 0.0388) in SOD1G93A mice. Anisotropic diffusion signals persisted at ultra-high b-value DWIs of the mouse spinal cord and multiexponential diffusion analysis offers the potential to evaluate microstructural alterations of ALS-affected spinal cord non-invasively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Research Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Mingchen Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Richard L. Magin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Rodolfo G. Gatto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Andrew C. Larson
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Weiguo Li
- Research Resource Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Querin G, Bede P, El Mendili MM, Li M, Pélégrini-Issac M, Rinaldi D, Catala M, Saracino D, Salachas F, Camuzat A, Marchand-Pauvert V, Cohen-Adad J, Colliot O, Le Ber I, Pradat PF. Presymptomatic spinal cord pathology in c9orf72 mutation carriers: A longitudinal neuroimaging study. Ann Neurol 2019; 86:158-167. [PMID: 31177556 DOI: 10.1002/ana.25520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeats expansions account for almost half of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. Recent imaging studies in asymptomatic C9orf72 carriers have demonstrated cerebral white (WM) and gray matter (GM) degeneration before the age of 40 years. The objective of this study was to characterize cervical spinal cord (SC) changes in asymptomatic C9orf72 hexanucleotide carriers. METHODS Seventy-two asymptomatic individuals were enrolled in a prospective study of first-degree relatives of ALS and FTD patients carrying the c9orf72 hexanucleotide expansion. Forty of them carried the pathogenic mutation (C9+ ). Each subject underwent quantitative cervical cord imaging. Structural GM and WM metrics and diffusivity parameters were evaluated at baseline and 18 months later. Data were analyzed in C9+ and C9- subgroups, and C9+ subjects were further stratified by age. RESULTS At baseline, significant WM atrophy was detected at each cervical vertebral level in C9+ subjects older than 40 years without associated changes in GM and diffusion tensor imaging parameters. At 18-month follow-up, WM atrophy was accompanied by significant corticospinal tract (CST) fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions. Intriguingly, asymptomatic C9+ subjects older than 40 years with family history of ALS (as opposed to FTD) also exhibited significant CST FA reduction at baseline. INTERPRETATION Cervical SC imaging detects WM atrophy exclusively in C9+ subjects older than 40 years, and progressive CST FA reductions can be identified on 18-month follow-up. Cervical SC magnetic resonance imaging readily captures presymptomatic pathological changes and disease propagation in c9orf72-associated conditions. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:158-167.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Querin
- Department of Neurology, SLA Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Paris, France.,Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Peter Bede
- Department of Neurology, SLA Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Paris, France.,Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.,Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mohamed Mounir El Mendili
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.,Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Menghan Li
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Mélanie Pélégrini-Issac
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Daisy Rinaldi
- Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, Sorbonne University, National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1127, National Center for Scientific Research Mixed Unit of Research 7225, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,Reference Center for Rare or Early Dementia, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Martin Catala
- Department of Neurology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Sorbonne University, National Center for Scientific Research Mixed Unit of Research 7622, National Institute of Health and Medical Research Accademic Research Unit 1156, Biology Institute Paris-Seine, Paris, France
| | - Dario Saracino
- Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, Sorbonne University, National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1127, National Center for Scientific Research Mixed Unit of Research 7225, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - François Salachas
- Department of Neurology, SLA Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Agnes Camuzat
- Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, Sorbonne University, National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1127, National Center for Scientific Research Mixed Unit of Research 7225, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Marchand-Pauvert
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Julien Cohen-Adad
- NeuroPoly Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Functional Neuroimaging Unit, Research Center of the University Institute of Geriatrics of Montreal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olivier Colliot
- Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, Sorbonne University, National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1127, National Center for Scientific Research Mixed Unit of Research 7225, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,Aramis Project Team, Inria Research Center of Paris, Paris, France.,Center for Image Acquisition and Processing, Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Le Ber
- Brain and Spinal Cord Institute, Sorbonne University, National Institute of Health and Medical Research U1127, National Center for Scientific Research Mixed Unit of Research 7225, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,Reference Center for Rare or Early Dementia, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease, Center of Excellence of Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, SLA Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-François Pradat
- Department of Neurology, SLA Reference Center, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Hospital Network of Paris, Paris, France.,Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, National Center for Scientific Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.,Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Clinical-Translational Research and Innovation Center, Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, United Kingdom
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11
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Gatto RG, Ye AQ, Colon-Perez L, Mareci TH, Lysakowski A, Price SD, Brady ST, Karaman M, Morfini G, Magin RL. Detection of axonal degeneration in a mouse model of Huntington's disease: comparison between diffusion tensor imaging and anomalous diffusion metrics. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 32:461-471. [PMID: 30771034 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-019-00742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this work is to study the changes in white matter integrity in R6/2, a well-established animal model of Huntington's disease (HD) that are captured by ex vivo diffusion imaging (DTI) using a high field MRI (17.6 T). MATERIALS AND METHODS DTI and continuous time random walk (CTRW) models were used to fit changes in the diffusion-weighted signal intensity in the corpus callosum of controls and in R6/2 mice. RESULTS A significant 13% decrease in fractional anisotropy, a 7% increase in axial diffusion, and a 33% increase in radial diffusion were observed between R6/2 and control mice. No change was observed in the CTRW beta parameter, but a significant decrease in the alpha parameter (- 21%) was measured. Histological analysis of the corpus callosum showed a decrease in axonal organization, myelin alterations, and astrogliosis. Electron microscopy studies demonstrated ultrastructural changes in degenerating axons, such as an increase in tortuosity in the R6/2 mice. CONCLUSIONS DTI and CTRW diffusion models display quantitative changes associated with the microstructural alterations observed in the corpus callosum of the R6/2 mice. The observed increase in the diffusivity and decrease in the alpha CTRW parameter providing support for the use of these diffusion models for non-invasive detection of white matter alterations in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Gatto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S Morgan St, 218 SEO (MC 063), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Allen Q Ye
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S Morgan St, 218 SEO (MC 063), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Luis Colon-Perez
- Department of Neurology and Behavior, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas H Mareci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anna Lysakowski
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Steven D Price
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Scott T Brady
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Muge Karaman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S Morgan St, 218 SEO (MC 063), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.,Center for MR Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gerardo Morfini
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S Morgan St, 218 SEO (MC 063), Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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12
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Takeuchi H, Inagaki S, Morozumi W, Nakano Y, Inoue Y, Kuse Y, Mizoguchi T, Nakamura S, Funato M, Kaneko H, Hara H, Shimazawa M. VGF nerve growth factor inducible is involved in retinal ganglion cells death induced by optic nerve crush. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16443. [PMID: 30401804 PMCID: PMC6219571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is a polypeptide that is induced by neurotrophic factors and is involved in neurite growth and neuroprotection. The mRNA of the Vgf gene has been detected in the adult rat retina, however the roles played by VGF in the retina are still undetermined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of VGF on the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of mice in the optic nerve crush (ONC) model, rat-derived primary cultured RGCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived RGCs. The mRNA and protein of Vgf were upregulated after the ONC. Immunostaining showed that the VGF was located in glial cells including Müller glia and astrocytes but not in the retinal neurons and their axons. AQEE-30, a VGF peptide, suppressed the loss of RGCs induced by the ONC, and it increased survival rat-derived RGCs and promoted the outgrowth of neurites of rat and human iPSCs derived RGCs in vitro. These findings indicate that VGF plays important roles in neuronal degeneration and has protective effects against the ONC on RGCs. Thus, VGF should be considered as a treatment of RGCs degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Takeuchi
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inagaki
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.,Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Wataru Morozumi
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yukimichi Nakano
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yuki Inoue
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Kuse
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takahiro Mizoguchi
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nakamura
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Michinori Funato
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideo Kaneko
- Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization, Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hara
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Shimazawa
- Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.
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13
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Gatto RG, Amin MY, Deyoung D, Hey M, Mareci TH, Magin RL. Ultra-High Field Diffusion MRI Reveals Early Axonal Pathology in Spinal Cord of ALS mice. Transl Neurodegener 2018; 7:20. [PMID: 30128146 PMCID: PMC6097419 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-018-0122-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor neurons leading to paralysis. Our previous MRI diffusion tensor imaging studies detected early white matter changes in the spinal cords of mice carrying the G93A-SOD1 mutation. Here, we extend those studies using ultra-high field MRI (17.6 T) and fluorescent microscopy to investigate the appearance of early structural and connectivity changes in the spinal cords of ALS mice. Methods The spinal cords from presymptomatic and symptomatic mice (80 to 120 days of age) were scanned (ex-vivo) using diffusion-weighted MRI. The fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivities were calculated for axial slices from the thoracic, cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cords. The diffusion parameters were compared with fluorescence microscopy and membrane cellular markers from the same tissue regions. Results At early stages of the disease (day 80) in the lumbar region, we found, a 19% decrease in FA, a 9% decrease in AD and a 35% increase in RD. Similar changes were observed in cervical and thoracic spinal cord regions. Differences between control and ALS mice groups at the symptomatic stages (day 120) were larger. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy at 80 days, demonstrated a 22% reduction in axonal area and a 22% increase in axonal density. Tractography and quantitative connectome analyses measured by edge weights showed a 52% decrease in the lumbar regions of the spinal cords of this ALS mice group. A significant increase in ADC (23.3%) in the ALS mice group was related to an increase in aquaporin markers. Conclusions These findings suggest that the combination of ultra-high field diffusion MRI with fluorescent ALS mice reporters is a useful approach to detect and characterize presymptomatic white matter micro-ultrastructural changes and axonal connectivity anomalies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Gatto
- 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St. Rm 578 M/C 512, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Manish Y Amin
- 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Daniel Deyoung
- 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Matthew Hey
- 3Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Thomas H Mareci
- 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- 5Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
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14
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Gatto RG, Li W, Gao J, Magin RL. In vivo diffusion MRI detects early spinal cord axonal pathology in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2018; 31:e3954. [PMID: 30117615 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exhibits contrast that identifies macro- and microstructural changes in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have shown that MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can observe changes in spinal cord white matter in animals and humans affected with symptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The goal of this preclinical work was to investigate the sensitivity of DTI for the detection of signs of tissue damage before symptoms appear. High-field MRI data were acquired using a 9.4-T animal scanner to examine the spinal cord of an ALS mouse model at pre- and post-symptomatic stages (days 80 and 120, respectively). The MRI results were validated using yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) via optical microscopy of spinal cord tissue slices collected from the YFP,G93A-SOD1 mouse strain. DTI maps of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signal intensity, mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) were computed for axial slices of the lumbar region of the spinal cord. Significant changes were observed in FA (6.7% decrease, p < 0.01), AD (19.5% decrease, p < 0.01) and RD (16.1% increase, p < 0.001) at postnatal day 80 (P80). These differences were correlated with changes in axonal fluorescence intensity and membrane cellular markers. This study demonstrates the value of DTI as a potential tool to detect the underlying pathological progression associated with ALS, and may accelerate the discovery of therapeutic strategies for patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Gatto
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Weiguo Li
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jin Gao
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
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15
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Gatto RG. Diffusion tensor imaging as a tool to detect presymptomatic axonal degeneration in a preclinical spinal cord model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:425-426. [PMID: 29623925 PMCID: PMC5900503 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.228723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Gabriel Gatto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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