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Foongkajornkiat S, Sokolowski K, Stephenson J, Lloyd T, Hugo HJ, Thompson EW, Momot KI. Quantitative measurement of mammographic density in breast-tissue explants using portable NMR: Precision and accuracy. Magn Reson Med 2024; 92:374-388. [PMID: 38380719 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Single-sided portable NMR (pNMR) has previously been demonstrated to be suitable for quantification of mammographic density (MD) in excised breast tissue samples. Here we investigate the precision and accuracy of pNMR measurements of MD ex vivo as compared with the gold standards. METHODS Forty-five breast-tissue explants from 9 prophylactic mastectomy patients were measured. The relative tissue water content was taken as the MD-equivalent quantity. In each sample, the water content was measured using some combination of three pNMR techniques (apparent T2, diffusion, and T1 measurements) and two gold-standard techniques (computed microtomography [μCT] and hematoxylin and eosin [H&E] histology). Pairwise correlation plots and Bland-Altman analysis were used to quantify the degree of agreement between pNMR techniques and the gold standards. RESULTS Relative water content measured from both apparent T2 relaxation spectra, and diffusion decays exhibited strong correlation with the H&E and μCT results. Bland-Altman analysis yielded average bias values of -0.4, -2.6, 2.6, and 2.8 water percentage points (pp) and 95% confidence intervals of 13.1, 7.5, 11.2, and 11.8 pp for the H&E - T2, μCT - T2, H&E - diffusion, and μCT - diffusion comparison pairs, respectively. T1-based measurements were found to be less reliable, with the Bland-Altman confidence intervals of 27.7 and 33.0 pp when compared with H&E and μCT, respectively. CONCLUSION Apparent T2-based and diffusion-based pNMR measurements enable quantification of MD in breast-tissue explants with the precision of approximately 10 pp and accuracy of approximately 3 pp or better, making pNMR a promising measurement modality for radiation-free quantification of MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satcha Foongkajornkiat
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kamil Sokolowski
- Preclincal Imaging Facility, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - James Stephenson
- Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Lloyd
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Honor J Hugo
- School of Health and Behavioural Science, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, Queensland, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Konstantin I Momot
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Guz W, Podgórski R, Aebisher D, Truszkiewicz A, Machorowska-Pieniążek A, Cieślar G, Kawczyk-Krupka A, Bartusik-Aebisher D. Utility of 1.5 Tesla MRI Scanner in the Management of Small Sample Sizes Driven from 3D Breast Cell Culture. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3009. [PMID: 38474256 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25053009] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to use and optimize a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for three-dimensional (3D) images of small samples obtained from breast cell cultures in vitro. The basis of this study was to design MRI equipment to enable imaging of MCF-7 breast cancer cell cultures (about 1 million cells) in 1.5 and 2 mL glass tubes and/or bioreactors with an external diameter of less than 20 mm. Additionally, the development of software to calculate longitudinal and transverse relaxation times is described. Imaging tests were performed using a clinical MRI scanner OPTIMA 360 manufactured by GEMS. Due to the size of the tested objects, it was necessary to design additional receiving circuits allowing for the study of MCF-7 cell cultures placed in glass bioreactors. The examined sample's volume did not exceed 2.0 mL nor did the number of cells exceed 1 million. This work also included a modification of the sequence to allow for the analysis of T1 and T2 relaxation times. The analysis was performed using the MATLAB package (produced by MathWorks). The created application is based on medical MR images saved in the DICOM3.0 standard which ensures that the data analyzed are reliable and unchangeable in an unintentional manner that could affect the measurement results. The possibility of using 1.5 T MRI systems for cell culture research providing quantitative information from in vitro studies was realized. The scanning resolution for FOV = 5 cm and the matrix was achieved at a level of resolution of less than 0.1 mm/pixel. Receiving elements were built allowing for the acquisition of data for MRI image reconstruction confirmed by images of a phantom with a known structure and geometry. Magnetic resonance sequences were modified for the saturation recovery (SR) method, the purpose of which was to determine relaxation times. An application in MATLAB was developed that allows for the analysis of T1 and T2 relaxation times. The relaxation times of cell cultures were determined over a 6-week period. In the first week, the T1 time value was 1100 ± 40 ms, which decreased to 673 ± 59 ms by the sixth week. For T2, the results were 171 ± 10 ms and 128 ± 12 ms, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiesław Guz
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Rafał Podgórski
- Department of Biochemistry and General Chemistry, Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - David Aebisher
- Department of Photomedicine and Physical Chemistry, Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Adrian Truszkiewicz
- Department of Photomedicine and Physical Chemistry, Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
| | | | - Grzegorz Cieślar
- Department of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Centre for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Batorego 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kawczyk-Krupka
- Department of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Centre for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Batorego 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland
| | - Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher
- Department of Biochemistry and General Chemistry, Medical College of the University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
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Portable NMR for quantification of breast density in vivo: Proof-of-concept measurements and comparison with quantitative MRI. Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 92:212-223. [PMID: 35843446 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Mammographic Density (MD) is the degree of radio-opacity of the breast in an X-ray mammogram. It is determined by the Fibroglandular: Adipose tissue ratio. MD has major implications in breast cancer risk and breast cancer chemoprevention. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of accurate, low-cost quantification of MD in vivo without ionising radiation. We used single-sided portable nuclear magnetic resonance ("Portable NMR") due to its low cost and the absence of radiation-related safety concerns. Fifteen (N = 15) healthy female volunteers were selected for the study and underwent an imaging routine consisting of 2D X-ray mammography, quantitative breast 3T MRI (Dixon and T1-based 3D compositional breast imaging), and 1D compositional depth profiling of the right breast using Portable NMR. For each participant, all the measurements were made within 3-4 h of each other. MRI-determined tissue water content was used as the MD-equivalent quantity. Portable NMR depth profiles of tissue water were compared with the equivalent depth profiles reconstructed from Dixon and T1-based MR images, which were used as the MD-equivalent reference standard. The agreement between the depth profiles acquired using Portable NMR and the reconstructed reference-standard profiles was variable but overall encouraging. The agreement was somewhat inferior to that seen in breast tissue explant measurements conducted in vitro, where quantitative micro-CT was used as the reference standard. The lower agreement in vivo can be attributed to an uncertainty in the positioning of the Portable NMR sensor on the breast surface and breast compression in Portable NMR measurements. The degree of agreement between Portable NMR and quantitative MRI is encouraging. While the results call for further development of quantitative Portable NMR, they demonstrate the in-principle feasibility of Portable NMR-based quantitative compositional imaging in vivo and show promise for the development of safe and low-cost protocols for quantification of MD suitable for clinical applications.
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Reye G, Huang X, Haupt LM, Murphy RJ, Northey JJ, Thompson EW, Momot KI, Hugo HJ. Mechanical Pressure Driving Proteoglycan Expression in Mammographic Density: a Self-perpetuating Cycle? J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:277-296. [PMID: 34449016 PMCID: PMC8566410 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09494-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Regions of high mammographic density (MD) in the breast are characterised by a proteoglycan (PG)-rich fibrous stroma, where PGs mediate aligned collagen fibrils to control tissue stiffness and hence the response to mechanical forces. Literature is accumulating to support the notion that mechanical stiffness may drive PG synthesis in the breast contributing to MD. We review emerging patterns in MD and other biological settings, of a positive feedback cycle of force promoting PG synthesis, such as in articular cartilage, due to increased pressure on weight bearing joints. Furthermore, we present evidence to suggest a pro-tumorigenic effect of increased mechanical force on epithelial cells in contexts where PG-mediated, aligned collagen fibrous tissue abounds, with implications for breast cancer development attributable to high MD. Finally, we summarise means through which this positive feedback mechanism of PG synthesis may be intercepted to reduce mechanical force within tissues and thus reduce disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Reye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Xuan Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Ryan J Murphy
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Jason J Northey
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Erik W Thompson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Konstantin I Momot
- School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Honor J Hugo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Gardens Point, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
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5
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Reye G, Huang X, Britt KL, Meinert C, Blick T, Xu Y, Momot KI, Lloyd T, Northey JJ, Thompson EW, Hugo HJ. RASSF1A Suppression as a Potential Regulator of Mechano-Pathobiology Associated with Mammographic Density in BRCA Mutation Carriers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133251. [PMID: 34209669 PMCID: PMC8269117 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
High mammographic density (MD) increases breast cancer (BC) risk and creates a stiff tissue environment. BC risk is also increased in BRCA1/2 gene mutation carriers, which may be in part due to genetic disruption of the tumour suppressor gene Ras association domain family member 1 (RASSF1A), a gene that is also directly regulated by tissue stiffness. High MD combined with BRCA1/2 mutations further increase breast cancer risk, yet BRCA1/2 mutations alone or in combination do not increase MD. The molecular basis for this additive effect therefore remains unclear. We studied the interplay between MD, stiffness, and BRCA1/2 mutation status in human mammary tissue obtained after prophylactic mastectomy from women at risk of developing BC. Our results demonstrate that RASSF1A expression increased in MCF10DCIS.com cell cultures with matrix stiffness up until ranges corresponding with BiRADs 4 stiffnesses (~16 kPa), but decreased in higher stiffnesses approaching malignancy levels (>50 kPa). Similarly, higher RASSF1A protein was seen in these cells when co-cultivated with high MD tissue in murine biochambers. Conversely, local stiffness, as measured by collagen I versus III abundance, repressed RASSF1A protein expression in BRCA1, but not BRCA2 gene mutated tissues; regional density as measured radiographically repressed RASSF1A in both BRCA1/2 mutated tissues. The combinatory effect of high MD and BRCA mutations on breast cancer risk may be due to RASSF1A gene repression in regions of increased tissue stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Reye
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (G.R.); (X.H.); (T.B.); (E.W.T.)
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Xuan Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (G.R.); (X.H.); (T.B.); (E.W.T.)
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Kara L. Britt
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia;
| | - Christoph Meinert
- Herston Biofabrication Institute, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia;
- Gelomics Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Tony Blick
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (G.R.); (X.H.); (T.B.); (E.W.T.)
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Yannan Xu
- Central Analytical Research Facility, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
| | - Konstantin I. Momot
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia;
| | - Thomas Lloyd
- Department of Radiology, The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woollongabba, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Jason J. Northey
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Erik W. Thompson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (G.R.); (X.H.); (T.B.); (E.W.T.)
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Honor J. Hugo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia; (G.R.); (X.H.); (T.B.); (E.W.T.)
- Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Birtinya, QLD 4575, Australia
- Correspondence:
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6
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Huang X, Reye G, Momot KI, Blick T, Lloyd T, Tilley WD, Hickey TE, Snell CE, Okolicsanyi RK, Haupt LM, Ferro V, Thompson EW, Hugo HJ. Heparanase Promotes Syndecan-1 Expression to Mediate Fibrillar Collagen and Mammographic Density in Human Breast Tissue Cultured ex vivo. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:599. [PMID: 32760722 PMCID: PMC7373078 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammographic density (MD) is a strong and independent factor for breast cancer (BC) risk and is increasingly associated with BC progression. We have previously shown in mice that high MD, which is characterized by the preponderance of a fibrous stroma, facilitates BC xenograft growth and metastasis. This stroma is rich in extracellular matrix (ECM) factors, including heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), such as the BC-associated syndecan-1 (SDC1). These proteoglycans tether growth factors, which are released by heparanase (HPSE). MD is positively associated with estrogen exposure and, in cell models, estrogen has been implicated in the upregulation of HPSE, the activity of which promotes SDC expression. Herein we describe a novel measurement approach (single-sided NMR) using a patient-derived explant (PDE) model of normal human (female) mammary tissue cultured ex vivo to investigate the role(s) of HPSE and SDC1 on MD. Relative HSPG gene and protein analyses determined in patient-paired high vs. low MD tissues identified SDC1 and SDC4 as potential mediators of MD. Using the PDE model we demonstrate that HPSE promotes SDC1 rather than SDC4 expression and cleavage, leading to increased MD. In this model system, synstatin (SSTN), an SDC1 inhibitory peptide designed to decouple SDC1-ITGαvβ3 parallel collagen alignment, reduced the abundance of fibrillar collagen as assessed by picrosirius red viewed under polarized light, and reduced MD. Our results reveal a potential role for HPSE in maintaining MD via its direct regulation of SDC1, which in turn physically tethers collagen into aligned fibers characteristic of MD. We propose that inhibitors of HPSE and/or SDC1 may afford an opportunity to reduce MD in high BC risk individuals and reduce MD-associated BC progression in conjunction with established BC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Huang
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gina Reye
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Konstantin I Momot
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Tony Blick
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Thomas Lloyd
- Radiology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Wayne D Tilley
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Theresa E Hickey
- Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Cameron E Snell
- Cancer Pathology Research Group, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Mater Pathology, Mater Hospital Brisbane, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel K Okolicsanyi
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Larisa M Haupt
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Genomics Research Centre, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Vito Ferro
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Honor J Hugo
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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