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Trujillo J, Alotaibi M, Seif N, Cai X, Larive B, Gassman J, Raphael KL, Cheung AK, Raj DS, Fried LF, Sprague SM, Block G, Chonchol M, Middleton JP, Wolf M, Ix JH, Prasad P, Isakova T, Srivastava A. Associations of Kidney Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers with Markers of Inflammation in Individuals with CKD. KIDNEY360 2024; 5:681-689. [PMID: 38570905 PMCID: PMC11146641 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000000000000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Key Points Lower baseline apparent diffusion coefficient, indicative of greater cortical fibrosis, correlated with higher baseline concentrations of serum markers of inflammation. No association between baseline cortical R2* and baseline serum markers of inflammation were found. Baseline kidney functional magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of fibrosis and oxygenation were not associated with changes in inflammatory markers over time, which may be due to small changes in kidney function in the study. Background Greater fibrosis and decreased oxygenation may amplify systemic inflammation, but data on the associations of kidney functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements of fibrosis (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]) and oxygenation (relaxation rate [R2*]) with systemic markers of inflammation are limited. Methods We evaluated associations of baseline kidney fMRI-derived ADC and R2* with baseline and follow-up serum IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in 127 participants from the CKD Optimal Management with Binders and NicotinamidE trial, a randomized, 12-month trial of nicotinamide and lanthanum carbonate versus placebo in individuals with CKD stages 3–4. Cross-sectional analyses of baseline kidney fMRI biomarkers and markers of inflammation used multivariable linear regression. Longitudinal analyses of baseline kidney fMRI biomarkers and change in markers of inflammation over time used linear mixed-effects models. Results Mean±SD eGFR, ADC, and R2* were 32.2±8.7 ml/min per 1.73 m2, 1.46±0.17×10−3 mm2/s, and 20.3±3.1 s−1, respectively. Median (interquartile range) IL-6 and CRP were 3.7 (2.4–4.9) pg/ml and 2.8 (1.2–6.3) mg/L, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, IL-6 and CRP were 13.1% and 27.3% higher per 1 SD decrease in baseline cortical ADC, respectively. Baseline cortical R2* did not have a significant association with IL-6 or CRP. Mean annual IL-6 and CRP slopes were 0.98 pg/ml per year and 0.91 mg/L per year, respectively. Baseline cortical ADC and R2* did not have significant associations with change in IL-6 or CRP over time. Conclusions Lower cortical ADC, suggestive of greater fibrosis, was associated with higher systemic inflammation. Baseline kidney fMRI biomarkers did not associate with changes in systemic markers of inflammation over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn Trujillo
- The Graduate School, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Manal Alotaibi
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nay Seif
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Renal Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xuan Cai
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Brett Larive
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jennifer Gassman
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Kalani L. Raphael
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alfred K. Cheung
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Dominic S. Raj
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Linda F. Fried
- Division of Renal-Electrolyte, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Stuart M. Sprague
- Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | | | - Michel Chonchol
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - John Paul Middleton
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Myles Wolf
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joachim H. Ix
- Renal Section, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California
| | - Pottumarthi Prasad
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Tamara Isakova
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Anand Srivastava
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Friedli I, Baid-Agrawal S, Unwin R, Morell A, Johansson L, Hockings PD. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Clinical Trials of Diabetic Kidney Disease. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4625. [PMID: 37510740 PMCID: PMC10380287 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144625] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) (known as diabetic kidney disease, DKD) is a serious and growing healthcare problem worldwide. In DM patients, DKD is generally diagnosed based on the presence of albuminuria and a reduced glomerular filtration rate. Diagnosis rarely includes an invasive kidney biopsy, although DKD has some characteristic histological features, and kidney fibrosis and nephron loss cause disease progression that eventually ends in kidney failure. Alternative sensitive and reliable non-invasive biomarkers are needed for DKD (and CKD in general) to improve timely diagnosis and aid disease monitoring without the need for a kidney biopsy. Such biomarkers may also serve as endpoints in clinical trials of new treatments. Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly multiparametric MRI, may achieve these goals. In this article, we review emerging data on MRI techniques and their scientific, clinical, and economic value in DKD/CKD for diagnosis, assessment of disease pathogenesis and progression, and as potential biomarkers for clinical trial use that may also increase our understanding of the efficacy and mode(s) of action of potential DKD therapeutic interventions. We also consider how multi-site MRI studies are conducted and the challenges that should be addressed to increase wider application of MRI in DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Friedli
- Antaros Medical, BioVenture Hub, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Seema Baid-Agrawal
- Transplant Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Robert Unwin
- AstraZeneca R&D BioPharmaceuticals, Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Early Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic Diseases (CVRM), Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GH, UK
| | - Arvid Morell
- Antaros Medical, BioVenture Hub, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
| | | | - Paul D Hockings
- Antaros Medical, BioVenture Hub, 43183 Mölndal, Sweden
- MedTech West, Chalmers University of Technology, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Prasad PV, Li LP, Hack B, Leloudas N, Sprague SM. Quantitative Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Estimating Intra-renal Oxygen Availability Demonstrates Kidneys Are Hypoxemic in Human CKD. Kidney Int Rep 2023; 8:1057-1067. [PMID: 37180507 PMCID: PMC10166744 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.02.1092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Kidney blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown great promise in evaluating relative oxygen availability. This method is quite efficacious in evaluating acute responses to physiological and pharmacologic maneuvers. Its outcome parameter, R2∗ is defined as the apparent spin-spin relaxation rate measured in the presence of magnetic susceptibility differences and it is measured using gradient echo MRI. Although associations between R2∗ and renal function decline have been described, it remains uncertain to what extent R2∗ is a true reflection of tissue oxygenation. This is primarily because of not taking into account the confounding factors, especially fractional blood volume (fBV) in tissue. Methods This case-control study included 7 healthy controls and 6 patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using data before and after administration of ferumoxytol, a blood pool MRI contrast media, the fBVs in kidney cortex and medulla were measured. Results This pilot study independently measured fBV in kidney cortex (0.23 ± 0.03 vs. 0.17 ± 0.03) and medulla (0.36 ± 0.08 vs. 0.25 ± 0.03) in a small number of healthy controls (n = 7) versus CKD (n = 6). These were then combined with BOLD MRI measurements to estimate oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (StO2) (0.87 ± 0.03 vs. 0.72 ± 0.10 in cortex; 0.82 ± 0.05 vs. 0.72 ± 0.06 in medulla) and partial pressure of oxygen in blood (bloodPO2) (55.4 ± 6.5 vs. 38.4 ± 7.6 mm Hg in cortex; 48.4 ± 6.2 vs. 38.1 ± 4.5 mm Hg in medulla) in control versus CKD. The results for the first time demonstrate that cortex is normoxemic in controls and moderately hypoxemic in CKD. In the medulla, it is mildly hypoxemic in controls and moderately hypoxemic in CKD. Whereas fBV, StO2, and bloodPO2 were strongly associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), R2∗ was not. Conclusion Our results support the feasibility of quantitatively assessing oxygen availability using noninvasive quantitative BOLD MRI that could be translated to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pottumarthi V. Prasad
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lu-Ping Li
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bradley Hack
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Nondas Leloudas
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Stuart M. Sprague
- Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Wang AA, Cai X, Srivastava A, Prasad PV, Sprague SM, Carr J, Wolf M, Ix JH, Block GA, Chonchol M, Raphael KL, Cheung AK, Raj DS, Gassman JJ, Rahsepar AA, Middleton JP, Fried LF, Sarnari R, Isakova T, Mehta R. Abnormalities in Cardiac Structure and Function among Individuals with CKD: The COMBINE Trial. KIDNEY360 2021; 3:258-268. [PMID: 35373122 PMCID: PMC8967624 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0005022021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Individuals with CKD have a high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Abnormalities in cardiac structure and function represent subclinical CVD and can be assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). Methods We investigated differences in cMRI parameters in 140 individuals with CKD stages 3b-4 who participated in the CKD Optimal Management with BInders and NicotinamidE (COMBINE) trial and in 24 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Among COMBINE participants, we examined the associations of eGFR, urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), phosphate, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with baseline (N=140) and 12-month change (N=112) in cMRI parameters. Results Mean (SD) ages of the COMBINE participants and healthy volunteers were 64.9 (11.9) and 60.4 (7.3) years, respectively. The mean (SD) baseline eGFR values in COMBINE participants were 32.1 (8.0) and 85.9 (16.0) ml/min per 1.73 m2 in healthy volunteers. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) UACR in COMBINE participants was 154 (20.3-540.0) mg/g. Individuals with CKD had lower mitral valve E/A ratio compared with healthy volunteers (for CKD versus non-CKD, β estimate, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.24 to -0.012). Among COMBINE participants, multivariable linear regression analyses showed that higher UACR was significantly associated with lower mitral valve E/A ratio (β estimate per 1 unit increase in natural-log UACR, -0.06; 95% CI, -0.09 to -0.03). This finding was preserved among individuals without baseline CVD. UACR was not associated with 12-month change in any cMRI parameter. eGFR, phosphate, FGF23, and PTH were not associated with any cMRI parameter in cross-sectional or change analyses. Conclusions Individuals with CKD stages 3b-4 have evidence of cMRI abnormalities. Albuminuria was independently associated with diastolic dysfunction, as assessed by mitral valve E/A ratio, in individuals with CKD with and without clinical CVD. Albuminuria was not associated with change in any cMRI parameter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann A. Wang
- Graduate Medical Education, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Xuan Cai
- Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Anand Srivastava
- Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Pottumarthi V. Prasad
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University Health System Evanston, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Stuart M. Sprague
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois,University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - James Carr
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Myles Wolf
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina,Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joachim H. Ix
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of San Diego School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | | | - Michel Chonchol
- Division of Renal Disease/Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Hospitals, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kalani L. Raphael
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University and Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon
| | - Alfred K. Cheung
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Dominic S. Raj
- Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | | | - Amir Ali Rahsepar
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John P. Middleton
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Linda F. Fried
- Renal Section, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Roberto Sarnari
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Tamara Isakova
- Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rupal Mehta
- Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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5
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Perspectives on the Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Noninvasive Evaluation of Diabetic Kidney Disease. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112461. [PMID: 34199385 PMCID: PMC8199575 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112461] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are currently in vogue, as they provide in vivo information on renal volume, function, metabolism, perfusion, oxygenation, and microstructural alterations, without the need for exogenous contrast media. New imaging biomarkers can be identified using these tools, which represent a major advance in the understanding and study of the different pathologies affecting the kidney. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most important diseases worldwide due to its high prevalence and impact on public health. However, its multifactorial etiology poses a challenge for both basic and clinical research. Therefore, the use of novel renal MRI techniques is an attractive step forward in the comprehension of DKD, both in its pathogenesis and in its detection and surveillance in the clinical practice. This review article outlines the most promising MRI techniques in the study of DKD, with the purpose of stimulating their clinical translation as possible tools for the diagnosis, follow-up, and monitoring of the clinical impacts of new DKD treatments.
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6
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Li LP, Thacker JM, Li W, Hack B, Wang C, Kohn O, Sprague SM, Prasad PV. Medullary Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent MRI Index (R2*) is Associated with Annual Loss of Kidney Function in Moderate CKD. Am J Nephrol 2021; 51:966-974. [PMID: 33508835 DOI: 10.1159/000512854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is frequently used to monitor progression of kidney disease. Multiple values have to be obtained, sometimes over years to determine the rate of decline in kidney function. Recent data suggest that functional MRI (fMRI) methods may be able to predict loss of eGFR. In a prior study, baseline data with multi-parametric MRI in individuals with diabetes and moderate CKD was reported. This report extends our prior observations in order to evaluate the temporal variability of the fMRI measurements over 36 months and their association with annual change in eGFR. METHODS Twenty-four subjects with moderate CKD completed 3 sets of MRI scans over a 36-month period. Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD), arterial spin labeling perfusion, and diffusion MRI images were acquired using a 3 T scanner. Coefficients of variation was used to evaluate variability between subjects at each time point and temporal variability within each subject. We have conducted mixed effects models to examine the trajectory change in GFR over time using time and MRI variables as fixed effects and baseline intercept as random effect. Associations of MRI image markers with annual change in eGFR were evaluated. RESULTS Multi-parametric functional renal MRI techniques in individuals with moderate CKD showed higher temporal variability in R2* of medulla compared to healthy individuals. This was consistent with the significant lower R2* in medulla observed at 36 months compared to baseline values. The results of linear mixed model showing that R2*_Medulla was the only predictor associated with change in eGFR over time. Furthermore, a significant association of medullary R2* with annual loss of eGFR was observed at all the 3 time points. CONCLUSIONS The lower R2* values and the higher temporal variability in the renal medulla over time suggest the ability to monitor progressive CKD. These were confirmed by the fact that reduced medullary R2* was associated with higher annual loss in eGFR. These data collectively emphasize the need for inclusion of medulla in the analysis of renal BOLD MRI studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Ping Li
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jon M Thacker
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bradley Hack
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Chi Wang
- Biostatistics, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Orly Kohn
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stuart M Sprague
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Pottumarthi V Prasad
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA,
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA,
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7
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Alnazer I, Bourdon P, Urruty T, Falou O, Khalil M, Shahin A, Fernandez-Maloigne C. Recent advances in medical image processing for the evaluation of chronic kidney disease. Med Image Anal 2021; 69:101960. [PMID: 33517241 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2021.101960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of renal function and structure accurately remains essential in the diagnosis and prognosis of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Advanced imaging, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound Elastography (UE), Computed Tomography (CT) and scintigraphy (PET, SPECT) offers the opportunity to non-invasively retrieve structural, functional and molecular information that could detect changes in renal tissue properties and functionality. Currently, the ability of artificial intelligence to turn conventional medical imaging into a full-automated diagnostic tool is widely investigated. In addition to the qualitative analysis performed on renal medical imaging, texture analysis was integrated with machine learning techniques as a quantification of renal tissue heterogeneity, providing a promising complementary tool in renal function decline prediction. Interestingly, deep learning holds the ability to be a novel approach of renal function diagnosis. This paper proposes a survey that covers both qualitative and quantitative analysis applied to novel medical imaging techniques to monitor the decline of renal function. First, we summarize the use of different medical imaging modalities to monitor CKD and then, we show the ability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to guide renal function evaluation from segmentation to disease prediction, discussing how texture analysis and machine learning techniques have emerged in recent clinical researches in order to improve renal dysfunction monitoring and prediction. The paper gives a summary about the role of AI in renal segmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israa Alnazer
- XLIM-ICONES, UMR CNRS 7252, Université de Poitiers, France; Laboratoire commune CNRS/SIEMENS I3M, Poitiers, France; AZM Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Pascal Bourdon
- XLIM-ICONES, UMR CNRS 7252, Université de Poitiers, France; Laboratoire commune CNRS/SIEMENS I3M, Poitiers, France
| | - Thierry Urruty
- XLIM-ICONES, UMR CNRS 7252, Université de Poitiers, France; Laboratoire commune CNRS/SIEMENS I3M, Poitiers, France
| | - Omar Falou
- AZM Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; American University of Culture and Education, Koura, Lebanon; Lebanese University, Faculty of Science, Tripoli, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad Khalil
- AZM Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmad Shahin
- AZM Center for Research in Biotechnology and its Applications, EDST, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Christine Fernandez-Maloigne
- XLIM-ICONES, UMR CNRS 7252, Université de Poitiers, France; Laboratoire commune CNRS/SIEMENS I3M, Poitiers, France
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Abstract
A gradually developing reduction in renal blood flow from atherosclerotic renovascular disease results in loss of kidney volume and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate that eventually becomes irreversible. Whether this process fundamentally reflects tissue hypoxia has been difficult to establish. Studies of human renovascular disease have indicated that reductions in blood flow of up to 30% to 40% can be tolerated with preservation of normal oxygenation and structural integrity. These observations are consistent with remarkable stability of poststenotic kidney function during sustained medical antihypertensive drug therapy in moderate renovascular disease. With more severe and sustained reductions, however, cortical oxygenation decreases and the magnitude of medullary hypoxia expands. These changes are associated with increasing renal venous levels of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic markers, and infiltration of inflammatory cells, including tissue macrophages and T cells. Although restoring large-vessel blood flow can improve oxygenation, some of these processes reflect microvascular rarefication, remain activated, and do not depend on hemodynamic factors alone. Elucidation of tissue injury pathways associated with hypoxia opens the possibility of adjunctive therapeutic measures beyond renal revascularization. These include cell-based regeneration, mitochondrial protection, and/or angiogenic cytokine therapy to restore or preserve renal function in ischemic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Textor
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
| | - Lilach O Lerman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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9
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Fan M, Xing Z, Du Y, Pan L, Sun Y, He X. Quantitative assessment of renal allograft pathologic changes: comparisons of mono-exponential and bi-exponential models using diffusion-weighted imaging. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:1286-1297. [PMID: 32550137 DOI: 10.21037/qims-19-985a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can noninvasively assess renal allograft pathologic changes that provide useful information for clinical management and prognostication. However, it is still unknown whether the bi-exponential model analysis of DWI signals is superior to that of the mono-exponential model. Methods Pathologic and DWI data from a total of 47 allografts were prospectively collected and analyzed. Kidney transplant interstitial fibrosis was quantified digitally. The severity of acute and chronic pathologic changes was semi-quantified by calculating the acute composite scores (ACS) and chronic composite score (CCS). Mono-exponential total apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCT), and the bi-exponential parameters of true diffusion (D) and perfusion fraction (fp) were acquired. The diagnostic performances of both mono-exponential and bi-exponential parameters were assessed and compared by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) from receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results ADCT, D, and fp were all significantly correlated with interstitial fibrosis, ACS, and CCS. Cortical fp discriminated mild from moderate and severe ACS with the largest AUC of 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77-0.96]. Noticeably, only cortical fp could differentiate severe ACS from mild-to-moderate ACS (P<0.001) with an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.65-0.90) and a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 66.4-100%). Strikingly, the joint use of D and fp in either the cortex or the medulla could achieve a sensitivity of 100% for identifying either mild or severe interstitial fibrosis. Meanwhile, the serial use of cortical D and cortical fp showed the largest specificity for identifying both mild [88.9% (95% CI, 70.8-97.6%)] and severe [84.4% (95% CI, 67.2-94.7%)] interstitial fibrosis. For identifying mild CCS, the AUC of medullary ADCT (0.90, 95% CI, 0.78-0.97) was similar to that of cortical D (0.81, 95% CI, 0.67-0.91) and fp (0.86, 95% CI, 0.73-0.94), but statistically larger than that of medullary D (P=0.005) and fp (P=0.01). Furthermore, the parallel use of cortical D and cortical fp could increase the sensitivity to 95.0% (95% CI, 75.1-99.9%), whereas serial use of medullary D and medullary fp could increase the specificity to 100% (95% CI, 87.2-100%). The AUCs for differentiating severe from mild and moderate CCS were statistically insignificant among all parameters in the cortex and medulla (P≥0.15). Conclusions Cortical fp was superior to the ADCT for identifying both mild and severe acute pathologic changes. Nevertheless, ADCT was equal to or better than single D or fp for evaluating chronic pathologic changes. Thus, both monoexponential and bi-exponential analysis of DWI images are complementary for evaluating kidney allograft pathologic changes, and the combined use of D and fp can increase the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating allograft pathologic changes severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Fan
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Zhaoyu Xing
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Yanan Du
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Liang Pan
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Yangyang Sun
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Xiaozhou He
- Department of Urology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
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10
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Srivastava A, Cai X, Lee J, Li W, Larive B, Kendrick C, Gassman JJ, Middleton JP, Carr J, Raphael KL, Cheung AK, Raj DS, Chonchol MB, Fried LF, Block GA, Sprague SM, Wolf M, Ix JH, Prasad PV, Isakova T. Kidney Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Change in eGFR in Individuals with CKD. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2020; 15:776-783. [PMID: 32345747 PMCID: PMC7274274 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.13201019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Kidney functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) requires further investigation to enhance the noninvasive identification of patients at high risk of CKD progression. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS In this exploratory study, we obtained baseline diffusion-weighted and blood oxygen level-dependent MRI in 122 participants of the CKD Optimal Management with Binders and Nicotinamide trial, which was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, 12-month, four-group parallel trial of nicotinamide and lanthanum carbonate versus placebo conducted in individuals with eGFR 20-45 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Lower values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) on diffusion-weighted MRI may indicate increased fibrosis, and higher values of relaxation rate (R2*) on blood oxygen level-dependent MRI may represent decreased oxygenation. Because there was no effect of active treatment on eGFR over 12 months, we tested whether baseline kidney functional MRI biomarkers were associated with eGFR decline in all 122 participants. In a subset of 87 participants with 12-month follow-up MRI data, we evaluated whether kidney functional MRI biomarkers change over time. RESULTS Mean baseline eGFR was 32±9 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and mean annual eGFR slope was -2.3 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], -3.4 to -1.1) ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year. After adjustment for baseline covariates, baseline ADC was associated with change in eGFR over time (difference in annual eGFR slope per 1 SD increase in ADC: 1.3 [95% CI, 0.1 to 2.5] ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year, ADC×time interaction P=0.04). This association was no longer significant after further adjustment for albuminuria (difference in annual eGFR slope per 1 SD increase in ADC: 1.0 (95% CI, -0.1 to 2.2) ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year, ADC×time interaction P=0.08). There was no significant association between baseline R2* and change in eGFR over time. In 87 participants with follow-up functional MRI, ADC and R2* values remained stable over 12 months (intraclass correlation: 0.71 and 0.68, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Baseline cortical ADC was associated with change in eGFR over time, but this association was not independent of albuminuria. Kidney functional MRI biomarkers remained stable over 1 year. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER CKD Optimal Management with Binders and Nicotinamide (COMBINE), NCT02258074.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Srivastava
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Xuan Cai
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jungwha Lee
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Brett Larive
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Cynthia Kendrick
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Jennifer J Gassman
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - John P Middleton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - James Carr
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kalani L Raphael
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alfred K Cheung
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Dominic S Raj
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
| | - Michel B Chonchol
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Linda F Fried
- Division of Nephrology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Renal Section, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Stuart M Sprague
- Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Myles Wolf
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Joachim H Ix
- Department of Medicine, Renal Section, University of San Diego, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | | | - Tamara Isakova
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Center for Translational Metabolism and Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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11
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Jiang K, Ferguson CM, Lerman LO. Noninvasive assessment of renal fibrosis by magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound techniques. Transl Res 2019; 209:105-120. [PMID: 31082371 PMCID: PMC6553637 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a useful biomarker for diagnosis and guidance of therapeutic interventions of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a worldwide disease that affects more than 10% of the population and is one of the major causes of death. Currently, tissue biopsy is the gold standard for assessment of renal fibrosis. However, it is invasive, and prone to sampling error and observer variability, and may also result in complications. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, have shown promise for noninvasive assessment of renal fibrosis. These imaging techniques measure renal fibrosis by evaluating its impacts on the functional, mechanical, and molecular properties of the kidney, such as water mobility by diffusion MRI, tissue hypoxia by blood oxygenation level dependent MRI, renal stiffness by MR and ultrasound elastography, and macromolecule content by magnetization transfer imaging. Other MR techniques, such as T1/T2 mapping and susceptibility-weighted imaging have also been explored for measuring renal fibrosis. Promising findings have been reported in both preclinical and clinical studies using these techniques. Nevertheless, limited specificity, sensitivity, and practicality in these techniques may hinder their immediate application in clinical routine. In this review, we will introduce methodologies of these techniques, outline their applications in fibrosis imaging, and discuss their limitations and pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Jiang
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Lilach O Lerman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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12
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Prasad PV, Li LP, Thacker JM, Li W, Hack B, Kohn O, Sprague SM. Cortical Perfusion and Tubular Function as Evaluated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates with Annual Loss in Renal Function in Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease. Am J Nephrol 2019; 49:114-124. [PMID: 30669143 PMCID: PMC6387452 DOI: 10.1159/000496161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hypoxia is a well-recognized factor in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Loss of microcirculation is thought to lead to enhanced renal hypoxia, which in turn results in the development of fibrosis, a hallmark of progressive CKD. To evaluate the role of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we performed perfusion, oxygenation, and diffusion MRI measurements in individuals with diabetes and stage 3 CKD. METHODS Fifty-four subjects (41 individuals with diabetes and stage 3 CKD and 13 healthy controls) participated in this study. Data with blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD), arterial spin labeling perfusion and diffusion MRI were acquired using a 3T scanner. RESULTS Renal cortical perfusion was reduced in CKD compared to the controls (109.54 ± 25.38 vs. 203.17 ± 27.47 mL/min/100 g; p < 0.001). Cortical apparent diffusion coefficient showed no significant reduction in CKD compared to controls (1,596.10 ± 196.64 vs. 1,668.72 ± 77.29 × 10-6 mm2/s; p = 0.45) but was significantly associated with perfusion. Cortical R2* values were modestly increased in CKD (20.76 ± 4.08 vs. 18.74 ± 2.37 s-1; p = 0.12). Within the CKD group, R2*_Medulla and R2*_Kidney were moderately and negatively associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate. There was a significant association between cortical perfusion and medullary response to furosemide with annual loss of renal function, used as an estimate of CKD progression. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with a moderate degree of CKD had significantly lower renal perfusion. Diffusion and BOLD MRI showed more modest differences between the groups. Individuals with progressive CKD had lower perfusion and response to furosemide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pottumarthi V Prasad
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA,
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA,
| | - Lu-Ping Li
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jon M Thacker
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bradley Hack
- Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Orly Kohn
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stuart M Sprague
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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13
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Jiang K, Lerman LO. Prediction of Chronic Kidney Disease Progression by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Where Are We? Am J Nephrol 2019; 49:111-113. [PMID: 30630177 PMCID: PMC7304632 DOI: 10.1159/000496160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Jiang
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lilach O Lerman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA,
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