High resolution MRI for non-invasive mouse lymph node mapping

Generation of an inflammatory niche in an injectable hydrogel depot through recruitment of key immune cells improves efficacy of mRNA vaccines

Messenger RNA (mRNA) delivered in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) rose to the forefront of vaccine candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic due in part to scalability, adaptability, and potency. Yet there remain critical areas for improvements of these vaccines in durability and breadth of humoral responses. In this work, we explore a modular strategy to target mRNA/LNPs to antigen presenting cells with an injectable polymer-nanoparticle (PNP) hydrogel depot technology which recruits key immune cells and forms an immunological niche in vivo. We characterize this niche on a single cell level and find it is highly tunable through incorporation of adjuvants like MPLAs and 3M-052. Delivering commercially available SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in PNP hydrogels improves the durability and quality of germinal center reactions, and the magnitude, breadth, and durability of humoral responses. The tunable immune niche formed within PNP hydrogels effectively skews immune responses based on encapsulated adjuvants, creating opportunities to precisely modulate mRNA/LNP vaccines for various indications from infectious diseases to cancers.

MRI Detection of Lymph Node Metastasis through Molecular Targeting of C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 2 and Monocyte Hitchhiking

Biopsy is the clinical standard for diagnosing lymph node (LN) metastasis, but it is invasive and poses significant risk to patient health. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been utilized as a noninvasive alternative but is limited by low sensitivity, with only ∼35% of LN metastases detected, as clinical contrast agents cannot discriminate between healthy and metastatic LNs due to nonspecific accumulation. Nanoparticles targeted to the C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), a biomarker highly expressed in metastatic LNs, have the potential to guide the delivery of contrast agents, improving the sensitivity of MRI. Additionally, cancer cells in metastatic LNs produce monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), which binds to CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes and stimulates their migration. Thus, the molecular targeting of CCR2 may enable nanoparticle hitchhiking onto monocytes, providing an additional mechanism for metastatic LN targeting and early detection. Hence, we developed micelles incorporating gadolinium (Gd) and peptides derived from the CCR2-binding motif of MCP1 (MCP1-Gd) and evaluated the potential of MCP1-Gd to detect LN metastasis. When incubated with migrating monocytes in vitro, MCP1-Gd transport across lymphatic endothelium increased 2-fold relative to nontargeting controls. After administration into mouse models with initial LN metastasis and recurrent LN metastasis, MCP1-Gd detected metastatic LNs by increasing MRI signal by 30-50% relative to healthy LNs. Furthermore, LN targeting was dependent on monocyte hitchhiking, as monocyte depletion decreased accumulation by >70%. Herein, we present a nanoparticle contrast agent for MRI detection of LN metastasis mediated by CCR2-targeting and demonstrate the potential of monocyte hitchhiking for enhanced nanoparticle delivery.

Expression of PD-1/PD-L1 axis in mediastinal lymph nodes and lung tissue of human and experimental lung fibrosis indicates a potential therapeutic target for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Mediastinal lymph node enlargement is prevalent in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Studies investigating whether this phenomenon reflects specific immunologic activation are lacking.

METHODS

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/ programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in mediastinal lymph nodes and lung tissues was analyzed. PD-1, PD-L1 mRNA expression was measured in tracheobronchial lymph nodes of mice following bleomycin-induced injury on day 14. Finally, the effect of the PD-1 inhibitor, pembrolizumab, in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis was investigated.

RESULTS

We analyzed mediastinal lymph nodes of thirty-three patients (n = 33, IPF: n = 14, lung cancer: n = 10, concomitant IPF and lung cancer: n = 9) and lung tissues of two hundred nineteen patients (n = 219, IPF: 123, controls: 96). PD-1 expression was increased, while PD-L1 expression was decreased, in mediastinal lymph nodes of patients with IPF compared to lung cancer and in IPF lungs compared to control lungs. Tracheobronchial lymph nodes isolated on day 14 from bleomycin-treated mice exhibited increased size and higher PD-1, PD-L1 mRNA levels compared to saline-treated animals. Pembrolizumab blunted bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, as indicated by reduction in Ashcroft score and improvement in respiratory mechanics.

CONCLUSIONS

Mediastinal lymph nodes of patients with IPF exhibit differential expression profiles than those of patients with lung cancer indicating distinct immune-mediated pathways regulating fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. PD-1 expression in mediastinal lymph nodes is in line with lung tissue expression. Lower doses of pembrolizumab might exert antifibrotic effects. Clinical trials aiming to endotype patients based on mediastinal lymph node profiling and accordingly implement targeted therapies such as PD-1 inhibitors are greatly anticipated.

New nomogram for predicting lymph node positivity in pancreatic head cancer

Background

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant cancers worldwide, and it mostly occurs in the head of the pancreas. Existing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) surgical techniques have has undergone a learning curve, a wide variety of approaches for the treatment of pancreatic cancer have been proposed, and the operation has matured. At present, pancreatic head cancer has been gradually changing from "surgeons' evaluation of anatomical resection" to "biologically inappropriate resection". In this study, the risk of lymph node metastasis in pancreatic head cancer was predicted using common preoperative clinical indicators.

Methods

The preoperative clinical data of 191 patients with pancreatic head cancer who received LPD in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University from May 2016 to December 2021 were obtained. A univariate regression analysis study was conducted, and the indicators with a significance level of P<0.05 were included in the univariate logistic regression analysis into multivariate. Lastly, a nomogram was built based on age, tumor size, leucocyte,albumin(ALB), and lymphocytes/monocytes(LMR). The model with the highest resolution was selected by obtaining the area under a curve. The clinical net benefit of the prediction model was examined using decision curve analyses.Risk stratification was performed by combining preoperative CT scan with existing models.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis found age, tumor size, WBC, ALB, and LMR as five independent factors. A nomogram model was constructed based on the above indicators. The model was calibrated by validating the calibration curve within 1000 bootstrap resamples. The ROC curve achieved an AUC of 0.745(confidence interval of 95%: 0.673-0.816), thus indicating that the model had excellent discriminative skills. DCA suggested that the predictive model achieved a high net benefit in the nearly entire threshold probability range.

Conclusions

This study has been the first to investigate a nomogram for preoperative prediction of lymphatic metastasis in pancreatic head cancer. The result suggests that age, ALB, tumor size, WBC, and LMR are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in pancreatic head cancer. This study may provide a novel perspective for the selection of appropriate continuous treatment regimens, the increase of the survival rate of patients with pancreatic head cancer, and the selection of appropriate neoadjuvant therapy patients.

Fluorescent tracking identifies key migratory dendritic cells in the lymph node after radiotherapy

Radiation therapy generates extensive cancer cell death capable of promoting tumor-specific immunity. Within the tumor, conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are known to carry tumor-associated antigens to the draining lymph node (TdLN) where they initiate T-cell priming. How radiation influences cDC migration is poorly understood. Here, we show that immunological efficacy of radiation therapy is dependent on cDC migration in radioimmunogenic tumors. Using photoconvertible mice, we demonstrate that radiation impairs cDC migration to the TdLN in poorly radioimmunogenic tumors. Comparative transcriptional analysis revealed that cDCs in radioimmunogenic tumors express genes associated with activation of endogenous adjuvant signaling pathways when compared with poorly radioimmunogenic tumors. Moreover, an exogenous adjuvant combined with radiation increased the number of migrating cDCs in these poorly radioimmunogenic tumors. Taken together, our data demonstrate that cDC migration play a critical role in the response to radiation therapy.

An antigen-strengthened dye-modified fully-human-nanobody-based immunoprobe for second near infrared bioimaging of metastatic tumors

Conventional immunoprobes have absorption capabilities across the visible to near infrared (NIR-I, 650-900 nm) region. Recently, second near infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window have gained much attention due to their deeper penetration depth and improved visualization. Here, we describe the design and synthesis of a fully human nanobody-based fluorescent immunoprobe (ICGM-n501) for NIR-II bioimaging with strengthened fluorescent emission by antigen for the first time. By site-directed conjugation of an FDA-approved dye analogue, indocyanine green decorated with maleimide (ICGM), into a tumor-specific n501, ICGM-n501 provides real-time monitoring of abdominal transportation pathway of antibody-based bioagents with high resolution (0.21 mm), presents better accuracy and lower dosage (0.21 μmol kg-1) in bioimaging of peritoneal metastatic tumors than bioluminescence agent D-luciferin. In this work, ICGM-n501 demonstrates its potential in clinical surgery guidance, provide an expanded category of available NIR-II fluorophores and a template for next-generation immunoassay bioagents.

Preoperative Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Based on a Radiomics Nomogram of Dual-Parametric MRI Imaging

Purpose

This study aims to uncover and validate an MRI-based radiomics nomogram for detecting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients prior to surgery.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively collected 141 patients with pathologically confirmed PDAC who underwent preoperative T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and portal venous phase (PVP) contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) scans between January 2017 and December 2021. The patients were randomly divided into training (n = 98) and validation (n = 43) cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. For each sequence, 1037 radiomics features were extracted and analyzed. After applying the gradient-boosting decision tree (GBDT), the key MRI radiomics features were selected. Three radiomics scores (rad-score 1 for PVP, rad-score 2 for T2WI, and rad-score 3 for T2WI combined with PVP) were calculated. Rad-score 3 and clinical independent risk factors were combined to construct a nomogram for the prediction of LNM of PDAC by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The predictive performances of the rad-scores and the nomogram were assessed by the area under the operating characteristic curve (AUC), and the clinical utility of the radiomics nomogram was assessed by decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Six radiomics features of T2WI, eight radiomics features of PVP and ten radiomics features of T2WI combined with PVP were found to be associated with LNM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rad-score 3 and MRI-reported LN status were independent predictors. In the training and validation cohorts, the AUCs of rad-score 1, rad-score 2 and rad-score 3 were 0.769 and 0.751, 0.807 and 0.784, and 0.834 and 0.807, respectively. The predictive value of rad-score 3 was similar to that of rad-score 1 and rad-score 2 in both the training and validation cohorts (P &gt; 0.05). The radiomics nomogram constructed by rad-score 3 and MRI-reported LN status showed encouraging clinical benefit, with an AUC of 0.845 for the training cohort and 0.816 for the validation cohort.

Conclusions

The radiomics nomogram derived from the rad-score based on MRI features and MRI-reported lymph status showed outstanding performance for the preoperative prediction of LNM of PDAC.

Micro- and Macro-Anatomical Frameworks of Lymph Nodes Indispensable for the Lymphatic System Filtering Function

In the lymphatic vascular system, lymph nodes (LNs) play a pivotal role in filtering and removing lymph-borne substances. The filtering function of LNs involves resident macrophages tightly associated with unique lymphatic sinus structures. Moreover, an intermittently arranged LN in the lymphatic pathway is considered to cooperatively prevent lymph-borne substances from entering blood circulation. However, the functional significance of tissue microarchitecture, cellular composition, and individual LNs in the “LN chain” system is not fully understood. To explore the mechanistic and histo-anatomical significance of LNs as lymph fluid filters, we subcutaneously injected fluorescent tracers into mice and examined the details of lymphatic transport to the LNs qualitatively and quantitatively. Lymph-borne tracers were selectively accumulated in the MARCO⁺ subcapsular-medullary sinus border (SMB) region of the LN, in which reticular lymphatic endothelial cells and CD169⁺F4/80⁺ medullary sinus macrophages construct a dense meshwork of the physical barrier, forming the main body to capture the tracers. We also demonstrated stepwise filtration via the LN chain in the lymphatic basin, which prevented tracer leakage into the blood. Furthermore, inflammatory responses that induce the remodeling of LN tissue as well as the lymphatic pathway reinforce the overall filtering capacity of the lymphatic basin. Taken together, specialized tissue infrastructure in the LNs and their systematic orchestration constitute an integrated filtering system for lymphatic recirculation.

Deep learning radiomics of dual-energy computed tomography for predicting lymph node metastases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is critical for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We aimed to build deep learning radiomics (DLR) models of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to classify LNM status of PDAC and to stratify the overall survival before treatment.

METHODS

From August 2016 to October 2020, 148 PDAC patients underwent regional lymph node dissection and scanned preoperatively DECT were enrolled. The virtual monoenergetic image at 40 keV was reconstructed from 100 and 150 keV of DECT. By setting January 1, 2021, as the cut-off date, 113 patients were assigned into the primary set, and 35 were in the test set. DLR models using VMI 40 keV, 100 keV, 150 keV, and 100 + 150 keV images were developed and compared. The best model was integrated with key clinical features selected by multivariate Cox regression analysis to achieve the most accurate prediction.

RESULTS

DLR based on 100 + 150 keV DECT yields the best performance in predicting LNM status with the AUC of 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-0.89) in the test cohort. After integrating key clinical features (CT-reported T stage, LN status, glutamyl transpeptadase, and glucose), the AUC was improved to 0.92 (95% CI: 0.91-0.94). Patients at high risk of LNM portended significantly worse overall survival than those at low risk after surgery (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

The DLR model showed outstanding performance for predicting LNM in PADC and hold promise of improving clinical decision-making.

A Mathematical Description of the Flow in a Spherical Lymph Node

The motion of the lymph has a very important role in the immune system, and it is influenced by the porosity of the lymph nodes: more than 90% takes the peripheral path without entering the lymphoid compartment. In this paper, we construct a mathematical model of a lymph node assumed to have a spherical geometry, where the subcapsular sinus is a thin spherical shell near the external wall of the lymph node and the core is a porous material describing the lymphoid compartment. For the mathematical formulation, we assume incompressibility and we use Stokes together with Darcy-Brinkman equation for the flow of the lymph. Thanks to the hypothesis of axisymmetric flow with respect to the azimuthal angle and the use of the stream function approach, we find an explicit solution for the fully developed pulsatile flow in terms of Gegenbauer polynomials. A selected set of plots is provided to show the trend of motion in the case of physiological parameters. Then, a finite element simulation is performed and it is compared with the explicit solution.

Rayleigh Instability-Driven Coaxial Spinning of Knotted Cell-Laden Alginate Fibers as Artificial Lymph Vessels

Constructing artificial lymph vessels, which play a key role in the immune response, can provide new insights into immunology and disease pathologies. An immune tissue is a highly complex network that consists of lymph vessels, with a "beads-on-a-string" knotted structure. Herein, we present the facile and rapid fabrication of beads-on-a-string knotted cell-laden fibers using coaxial spinning of alginate by exploiting the Plateau-Rayleigh instability. It is shown how alterations in the flow rate and alginate concentration greatly affect the beads-on-a-string structure, rooted in the Plateau-Rayleigh instability theory. Biocompatibility was confirmed by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and live/dead staining of the encapsulated human white blood cells. Finally, the encapsulated white blood cells were still functional as indicated by their anti-CD3 activation to secrete interleukin 2. The rapid fabrication of a cell-laden beads-on-a-string three-dimensional (3D) culture platform enables a crude mimicry of the lymph vessel structure. With joint expertise in immunology, microfluidics, and bioreactors, the technology may contribute to the mechanistic assay of human immune response in vitro and functional replacement.

A modular, injectable, non-covalently assembled hydrogel system features widescale tunable degradability for controlled release and tissue integration

Biomaterials with attenuated adverse host tissue reactions, and meanwhile, combining biocompatibility with mimicry of mechanical and biochemical cues of native extracellular matrices (ECM) to promote integration and regeneration of tissues are important for many biomedical applications. Further, the materials should also be tailorable to feature desired application-related functions, like tunable degradability, injectability, or controlled release of bioactive molecules. Herein, a non-covalently assembled, injectable hydrogel system based on oligopeptides interacting with sulphated polysaccharides is reported, showing high tolerability and biocompatibility in immunocompetent hairless mice. Altering the peptide or polysaccharide component considerably varies the in vivo degradation rate of the hydrogels, ranging from a half-life of three weeks to no detectable degradation after three months. The hydrogel with sulphated low molecular weight hyaluronic acid exhibits sustained degradation-mediated release of heparin-binding molecules in vivo, as shown by small animal magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence imaging, and enhances the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hydrogel surrounding. In vitro investigations indicate that M2-macrophages could be responsible for the moderate difference in pro-angiogenic effects. The ECM-mimetic and injectable hydrogels represent tunable bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering, also enabling controlled release of heparin-binding signalling molecules including many growth factors.

Kidney-intrinsic factors determine the severity of ischemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model of delayed graft function

Delayed graft function due to transplant ischemia/reperfusion injury adversely affects up to 50% of deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients. However, key factors contributing to the severity of ischemia/reperfusion injury remain unclear. Here, using a clinically relevant mouse model of delayed graft function, we demonstrated that donor genetic background and kidney-intrinsic MyD88/Trif-dependent innate immunity were key determinants of delayed graft function. Functional deterioration of kidney grafts directly corresponded with the duration of cold ischemia time. The graft dysfunction became irreversible after cold ischemia time exceeded six hours. When cold ischemia time reached four hours, kidney grafts displayed histological features reflective of delayed graft function seen in clinical kidney transplantation. Notably, kidneys of B6 mice exhibited significantly more severe histological and functional impairment than kidneys of C3H or BALB/c mice, regardless of recipient strains or alloreactivities. Furthermore, allografts of B6 mice also showed an upregulation of IL-6, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and endoplasmic reticulum stress genes, as well as an increased influx of host neutrophils and memory CD8 T-cells. In contrast, donor MyD88/Trif deficiency inhibited neutrophil influx and decreased the expression of IL-6 and endoplasmic reticulum stress genes, along with improved graft function and prolonged allograft survival. Thus, kidney-intrinsic factors involving genetic characteristics and innate immunity serve as critical determinants of the severity of delayed graft function. This preclinical murine model allows for further investigations of the mechanisms underlying delayed graft function.

Lymph Node Subcapsular Sinus Microenvironment-On-A-Chip Modeling Shear Flow Relevant to Lymphatic Metastasis and Immune Cell Homing

A lymph node sinus-on-a-chip adhesion microfluidic platform that recapitulates the hydrodynamic microenvironment of the lymph node subcapsular sinus was engineered. This device was used to interrogate the effects of lymph node remodeling on cellular adhesion in fluid flow relevant to lymphatic metastasis. Wall shear stress levels analytically estimated and modeled after quiescent and diseased/inflamed lymph nodes were experimentally recapitulated using a flow-based microfluidic perfusion system to assess the effects of physiological flow fields on human metastatic cancer cell adhesion. Results suggest that both altered fluid flow profiles and presentation of adhesive ligands, which are predicted to manifest within the lymph node subcapsular sinus as a result of inflammation-induced remodeling, and the presence of lymph-borne monocytic cells may synergistically contribute to the dynamic extent of cell adhesion in flow relevant to lymph node invasion by cancer and monocytic immune cells during lymphatic metastasis.

External temperature control of lymphatic drainage of thermo-sensitive nanomaterials

Nano-carrier-facilitated delivery of bioactive molecules into lymph nodes (LNs) has found application in the treatment and diagnosis of numerous immune-related diseases. Much work has focused on optimization of physicochemical properties of the nano-carrier to enhance lymphatic drainage passively, whereas active modulation of the quantity and timing of lymphatic delivery remains a significant challenge. Here, inspired by the success of thermo-modulation of tumor targeting, we have developed a simple external temperature control strategy to regulate the distribution of thermo-sensitive nanomaterials between the injection site and draining LNs. To demonstrate feasibility of this strategy, we injected Rhodamine-B-labeled poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (RhB-PNIPAm) (2.5 kDa) into the footpad of mice at different initial temperatures - either below or above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), followed by physical cooling of the injection site. We show that RhB-PNIPAm drained efficiently into the popliteal and inguinal nodes (pLNs, iLNs, respectively) with low levels of accumulation in major internal organs. Within the first two hours post-injection the rate of drainage was primarily dependent on the initial temperature of RhB-PNIPAm. However, over the course of 24 h, temperature gradient due to local cooling affected significantly the draining of the injection site, resulting in differential accumulation of RhB-PNIPAm in the proximal (pLNs) versus the distal (iLNs) nodes. This study provides a new methodology and insights for modulating in vivo lymphatic distribution of thermo-sensitive nanomaterials with implications in immune regulation and immunotherapy.

The lymphatic system and pancreatic cancer

This review summarizes current knowledge of the biology, pathology and clinical understanding of lymphatic invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. We discuss the clinical and biological consequences of lymphatic invasion and metastasis, including paraneoplastic effects on immune responses and consider the possible benefit of therapies to treat tumors that are localized to lymphatics. A review of current techniques and methods to study interactions between tumors and lymphatics is presented.

MRI-monitored intra-tumoral injection of iron-oxide labeled Clostridium novyi-NT anaerobes in pancreatic carcinoma mouse model

OBJECTIVES

To validate the feasibility of labeling Clostridium novyi-NT (C.novyi-NT) anaerobes with iron-oxide nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and demonstrate the potential to use MRI to visualize intra-tumoral delivery of these iron-oxide labeled C.novyi-NT during percutaneous injection procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All studies were approved by IACUC. C.novyi-NT were labeled with hybrid iron-oxide Texas red nanoparticles. Growth of labeled and control samples were evaluated with optical density. Labeling was confirmed with confocal fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). MRI were performed using a 7 Tesla scanner with T2*-weighted (T2*W) sequence. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) measurements were performed for phantoms and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements performed in C57BL/6 mice (n = 12) with Panc02 xenografts before and after percutaneous injection of iron-oxide labeled C.novyi-NT. MRI was repeated 3 and 7 days post-injection. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Prussian blue and Gram staining of tumor specimens were performed for confirmation of intra-tumoral delivery.

RESULTS

Iron-oxide labeling had no influence upon C.novyi-NT growth. The signal intensity (SI) within T2*W images was significantly decreased for iron-oxide labeled C.novyi-NT phantoms compared to unlabeled controls. Under confocal fluorescence microscopy, the iron-oxide labeled C.novyi-NT exhibited a uniform red fluorescence consistent with observed regions of DAPI staining and overall labeling efficiency was 100% (all DAPI stained C.novyi-NT exhibited red fluorescence). Within TEM images, a large number iron granules were observed within the iron-oxide labeled C.novyi-NT; these were not observed within unlabeled controls. Intra-procedural MRI measurements permitted in vivo visualization of the intra-tumoral distribution of iron-oxide labeled C.novyi-NT following percutaneous injection (depicted as punctate regions of SI reductions within T2*-weighted images); tumor SNR decreased significantly following intra-tumoral injection of C.novyi-NT (p<0.05); these SNR reductions were maintained at 3 and 7 day follow-up intervals. Prussian blue and Gram staining confirmed presence of the iron-oxide labeled anaerobes.

CONCLUSIONS

C.novyi-NT can be labeled with iron-oxide nanoparticles for MRI visualization of intra-tumoral deposition following percutaneous injection during bacteriolytic therapy.

Functional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in an animal model of brain metastases: a pilot study

Background

Brain metastasis is a common disease with a poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to test feasibility and safety of the animal models for brain metastases and to use dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to enhance detection of brain metastases.

Methods

With approval from the institutional animal ethics committee, 18 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received an intra-carotid infusion (ICI) of mannitol followed by VX2 cells; group B received successive ICI of mannitol and heparin followed by VX2 cells; and group C received an ICI of normal saline. The survival rate and clinical symptoms were recorded after inoculation. After two weeks, conventional MRI and DCE-MRI were performed using 3.0 Tesla scanner. The number of tumors and detection rate were analyzed. After MRI measurements, the tumors were stained with hematoxylin-eosin.

Results

No rabbits died during the procedure. The rabbits had common symptoms, including loss of appetite, lassitude and lethargy, etc. at 10.8±1.8 days and 8.4±1.5 days post-inoculation in group A and B, respectively. Each animal in groups A and B re-gained the lost weight within 14 days. Brain metastases could be detected by MRI at 14 days post-inoculation in both groups A and B, with metastases manifesting as nodules in the brain parenchyma and thickening in the meninges. DCE-MRI increased the total detection of tumors compared to non-contrast MRI (P<0.05). The detection rates of T1-weighted image, T2-weighted image and DCE-MRI were 12%, 32% and 100%, respectively (P<0.05). Necropsy revealed nodules or thickening meninges in the gross samples and VX2 tumor cytomorphologic features in the slides, which were consistent with the MRI results.

Conclusions

The VX2 rabbit model of brain metastases is feasible, as verified by MRI and pathologic findings, and may be a suitable platform for future studies of brain metastases. Functional DCE-MRI can be used to evaluate brain metastases in a rabbit model.

Antigen-loaded dendritic cell migration: MR imaging in a pancreatic carcinoma model

PURPOSE

To test the following hypotheses in a murine model of pancreatic cancer: (a) Vaccination with antigen-loaded iron-labeled dendritic cells reduces T2-weighted signal intensity at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging within peripheral draining lymph nodes ( LN lymph node s) and (b) such signal intensity reductions are associated with tumor size changes after dendritic cell vaccination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The institutional animal care and use committee approved this study. Panc02 cells were implanted into the flanks of 27 C57BL/6 mice bilaterally. After tumors reached 10 mm, cell viability was evaluated, and iron-labeled dendritic cell vaccines were injected into the left hind footpad. The mice were randomly separated into the following three groups (n = 9 in each): Group 1 was injected with 1 million iron-labeled dendritic cells; group 2, with 2 million cells; and control mice, with 200 mL of phosphate-buffered saline. T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging of labeled dendritic cell migration to draining LN lymph node s was performed before cell injection and 6 and 24 hours after injection. The signal-to-noise ratio ( SNR signal-to-noise ratio ) of the draining LN lymph node s was measured. One-way analysis of variance ( ANOVA analysis of variance ) was used to compare Prussian blue-positive dendritic cell measurements in LN lymph node s. Repeated-measures ANOVA analysis of variance was used to compare in vivo T2-weighted SNR signal-to-noise ratio LN lymph node measurements between groups over the observation time points.

RESULTS

Trypan blue assays showed no significant difference in mean viability indexes (unlabeled vs labeled dendritic cells, 4.32% ± 0.69 [standard deviation] vs 4.83% ± 0.76; P = .385). Thirty-five days after injection, the mean left and right flank tumor sizes, respectively, were 112.7 mm(2) ± 16.4 and 109 mm(2) ± 24.3 for the 1-million dendritic cell group, 92.2 mm(2) ± 9.9 and 90.4 mm(2) ± 12.8 for the 2-million dendritic cell group, and 193.7 mm(2) ± 20.9 and 189.4 mm(2) ± 17.8 for the control group (P = .0001 for control group vs 1-million cell group; P = .00007 for control group vs 2-million cell group). There was a correlation between postinjection T2-weighted SNR signal-to-noise ratio decreases in the left popliteal LN lymph node 24 hours after injection and size changes at follow-up for tumors in both flanks (R = 0.81 and R = 0.76 for left and right tumors, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MR imaging approaches can be used for quantitative measurement of accumulated iron-labeled dendritic cell-based vaccines in draining LN lymph node s. The amount of dendritic cell-based vaccine in draining LN lymph node s correlates well with observed protective effects.