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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state (QUASS) reconstruction enhances T 1 normalization in apparent exchange-dependent relaxation (AREX) analysis: A reevaluation of T 1 correction in quantitative CEST MRI of rodent brain tumor models. Magn Reson Med 2024; 92:236-245. [PMID: 38380727 PMCID: PMC11055669 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30056] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The apparent exchange-dependent relaxation (AREX) analysis has been proposed as an effective means to correct T1 contribution in CEST quantification. However, it has been recognized that AREX T1 correction is not straightforward if CEST scans are not performed under the equilibrium condition. Our study aimed to test if quasi-steady-state (QUASS) reconstruction could boost the accuracy of the AREX metric under common non-equilibrium scan conditions. THEORY AND METHODS Numerical simulation and in vivo scans were performed to assess the AREX metric accuracy. The CEST signal was simulated under different relaxation delays, RF saturation amplitudes, and durations. The AREX was evaluated as a function of the bulk water T1 and labile proton concentration using the multiple linear regression model. AREX MRI was also assessed in brain tumor rodent models, with both apparent CEST scans and QUASS reconstruction. RESULTS Simulation showed that the AREX calculation from apparent CEST scans, under non-equilibrium conditions, had significant dependence on labile proton fraction ratio, RF saturation time, and T1. In comparison, QUASS-boosted AREX depended on the labile proton fraction ratio without significant dependence on T1 and RF saturation time. Whereas the apparent (2.7 ± 0.8%) and QUASS MTR asymmetry (2.8 ± 0.8%) contrast between normal and tumor regions of interest (ROIs) were significant, the difference was small. In comparison, AREX contrast between normal and tumor ROIs calculated from the apparent CEST scan and QUASS reconstruction was 3.8 ± 1.1%/s and 4.4 ± 1.2%/s, respectively, statistically different from each other. CONCLUSIONS AREX analysis benefits from the QUASS-reconstructed equilibrium CEST effect for improved T1 correction and quantitative CEST analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
- Primate Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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2
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Jin T, Wang J, Chung J, Hitchens TK, Sun D, Mettenburg J, Wang P. Amide proton transfer MRI at 9.4 T for differentiating tissue acidosis in a rodent model of ischemic stroke. Magn Reson Med 2024. [PMID: 38923094 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30194] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Differentiating ischemic brain damage is critical for decision making in acute stroke treatment for better outcomes. We examined the sensitivity of amide proton transfer (APT) MRI, a pH-weighted imaging technique, to achieve this differentiation. METHODS In a rat stroke model, the ischemic core, oligemia, and the infarct-growth region (IGR) were identified by tracking the progression of the lesions. APT MRI signals were measured alongside ADC, T1, and T2 maps to evaluate their sensitivity in distinguishing ischemic tissues. Additionally, stroke under hyperglycemic conditions was studied. RESULTS The APT signal in the IGR decreased by about 10% shortly after stroke onset, and further decreased to 35% at 5 h, indicating a progression from mild to severe acidosis as the lesion evolved into infarction. Although ADC, T1, and T2 contrasts can only detect significant differences between the IGR and oligemia for a portion of the stroke duration, APT contrast consistently differentiates between them at all time points. However, the contrast to variation ratio at 1 h is only about 20% of the contrast to variation ratio between the core and normal tissues, indicating limited sensitivity. In the ischemic core, the APT signal decreases to about 45% and 33% of normal tissue level at 1 h for the normoglycemic and hyperglycemic groups, respectively, confirming more severe acidosis under hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION The sensitivity of APT MRI is high in detecting severe acidosis of the ischemic core but is much lower in detecting mild acidosis, which may affect the accuracy of differentiation between the IGR and oligemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Jin
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jicheng Wang
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julius Chung
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - T Kevin Hitchens
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dandan Sun
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph Mettenburg
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Yamasaki T, Mori W, Ohkubo T, Hiraishi A, Zhang Y, Kurihara Y, Nengaki N, Tashima H, Fujinaga M, Zhang MR. Potential for in vivo visualization of intracellular pH gradient in the brain using PET imaging. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae172. [PMID: 38863573 PMCID: PMC11166174 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pH is a valuable index for predicting neuronal damage and injury. However, no PET probe is currently available for monitoring intracellular pH in vivo. In this study, we developed a new approach for visualizing the hydrolysis rate of monoacylglycerol lipase, which is widely distributed in neurons and astrocytes throughout the brain. This approach uses PET with the new radioprobe [11C]QST-0837 (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl-3-(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine-1-[11C]carboxylate), a covalent inhibitor containing an azetidine carbamate skeleton for monoacylglycerol lipase. The uptake and residence of this new radioprobe depends on the intracellular pH gradient, and we evaluated this with in silico, in vitro and in vivo assessments. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted that because the azetidine carbamate moiety is close to that of water molecules, the compound containing azetidine carbamate would be more easily hydrolyzed following binding to monoacylglycerol lipase than would its analogue containing a piperidine carbamate skeleton. Interestingly, it was difficult for monoacylglycerol lipase to hydrolyze the azetidine carbamate compound under weakly acidic (pH 6) conditions because of a change in the interactions with water molecules on the carbamate moiety of their complex. Subsequently, an in vitro assessment using rat brain homogenate to confirm the molecular dynamics simulation-predicted behaviour of the azetidine carbamate compound showed that [11C]QST-0837 reacted with monoacylglycerol lipase to yield an [11C]complex, which was hydrolyzed to liberate 11CO2 as a final product. Additionally, the 11CO2 liberation rate was slower at lower pH. Finally, to indicate the feasibility of estimating how the hydrolysis rate depends on intracellular pH in vivo, we performed a PET study with [11C]QST-0837 using ischaemic rats. In our proposed in vivo compartment model, the clearance rate of radioactivity from the brain reflected the rate of [11C]QST-0837 hydrolysis (clearance through the production of 11CO2) in the brain, which was lower in a remarkably hypoxic area than in the contralateral region. In conclusion, we indicated the potential for visualization of the intracellular pH gradient in the brain using PET imaging, although some limitations remain. This approach should permit further elucidation of the pathological mechanisms involved under acidic conditions in multiple CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoteru Yamasaki
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Wakana Mori
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkubo
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- SHI Accelerator Service Co. Ltd., Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Atsuto Hiraishi
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yiding Zhang
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kurihara
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- SHI Accelerator Service Co. Ltd., Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Nobuki Nengaki
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- SHI Accelerator Service Co. Ltd., Tokyo 141-0031, Japan
| | - Hideaki Tashima
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Masayuki Fujinaga
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Ming-Rong Zhang
- Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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Didwischus N, Guduru A, Badylak SF, Modo M. In vitro dose-dependent effects of matrix metalloproteinases on ECM hydrogel biodegradation. Acta Biomater 2024; 174:104-115. [PMID: 38081445 PMCID: PMC10775082 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.12.003] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cause proteolysis of extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissues affected by stroke. However, little is known about how MMPs degrade ECM hydrogels implanted into stroke cavities to regenerate lost tissue. To establish a structure-function relationship between different doses of individual MMPs and isolate their effects in a controlled setting, an in vitro degradation assay quantified retained urinary bladder matrix (UBM) hydrogel mass as a measure of degradation across time. A rheological characterization indicated that lower ECM concentrations (<4 mg/mL) did not cure completely at 37 °C and had a high fraction of mobile proteins that were easily washed-out. Hydrolysis by dH2O caused a steady 2 % daily decrease in hydrogel mass over 14 days. An acceleration of degradation to 6 % occurred with phosphate buffered saline and artificial cerebrospinal fluid. MMPs induced a dose-dependent increase and within 14 days almost completely (>95 %) degraded the hydrogel. MMP-9 exerted the most significant biodegradation, compared to MMP-3 and -2. To model the in vivo exposure of hydrogel to MMPs, mixtures of MMP-2, -3, and -9, present in the cavity at 14-, 28-, or 90-days post-stroke, revealed that 14- and 28-days mixtures achieved an equivalent biodegradation, but a 90-days mixture exhibited a slower degradation. These results revealed that hydrolysis, in addition to proteolysis, exerts a major influence on the degradation of hydrogels. Understanding the mechanisms of ECM hydrogel biodegradation is essential to determine the therapeutic window for bioscaffold implantation after a stroke, and they are also key to determine optimal degradation kinetics to support tissue regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: After implantation into a stroke cavity, extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel promotes tissue regeneration through the degradation of the bioscaffold. However, the process of degradation of an ECM hydrogel remains poorly understood. We here demonstrated in vitro under highly controlled conditions that hydrogel degradation is very dependent on its protein concentration. Lower protein concentration hydrogels were weaker in rheological measurements and particularly susceptible to hydrolysis. The proteolytic degradation of tissue ECM after a stroke is caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). A dose-dependent MMP-driven biodegradation of ECM hydrogel exceeded the effects of hydrolysis. These results highlight the importance of in vitro testing of putative causes of degradation to gain a better understanding of how these factors affect in vivo biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Didwischus
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Arun Guduru
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephen F Badylak
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michel Modo
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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5
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Chung J, Sun D, Hitchens TK, Modo M, Bandos A, Mettenburg J, Wang P, Jin T. Dual contrast CEST MRI for pH-weighted imaging in stroke. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:357-367. [PMID: 37798945 PMCID: PMC10872804 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29842] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE pH enhanced (pHenh ) CEST imaging combines the pH sensitivity from amide and guanidino signals, but the saturation parameters have not been optimized. We propose pHdual as a variant of pHenh that suppresses background signal variations, while enhancing pH sensitivity and potential for imaging ischemic brain injury of stroke. METHODS Simulation and in vivo rodent stroke experiments of pHenh MRI were performed with varied RF saturation powers for both amide and guanidino protons to optimize the contrast between lesion/normal tissues, while simultaneously minimizing signal variations across different types of normal tissues. In acute stroke, contrast and volume ratio measured by pHdual imaging were compared with an amide-CEST approach, and perfusion and diffusion MRI. RESULTS Simulation experiments indicated that amide and guanidino CEST signals exhibit unique sensitivities across different pH ranges, with pHenh producing greater sensitivity over a broader pH regime. The pHenh data of rodent stroke brain demonstrated that the lesion/normal tissue contrast was maximized for an RF saturation power pair of 0.5 μT at 2.0 ppm and 1.0 μT at 3.6 ppm, whereas an optimal contrast-to-variation ratio (CVR) was obtained with a 0.7 μT saturation at 2.0 ppm and 0.8 μT at 3.6 ppm. In acute stroke, CVR optimized pHenh (i.e., pHdual ) achieved a higher sensitivity than the three-point amide-CEST approach, and distinct patterns of lesion tissue compared to diffusion and perfusion MRI. CONCLUSION pHdual MRI improves the sensitivity of pH-weighted imaging and will be a valuable tool for assessing tissue viability in stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Chung
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Dandan Sun
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - T. Kevin Hitchens
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Michel Modo
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Andriy Bandos
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph Mettenburg
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tao Jin
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Wu Q, Qi Y, Gong P, Huang B, Cheng G, Liang D, Zheng H, Sun PZ, Wu Y. Fast and robust pulsed chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI using a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) algorithm at 3 T. Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 105:29-36. [PMID: 37898416 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2023.10.009] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) has emerged as a powerful technique to image dilute labile protons. However, its measurement depends on the RF saturation duration (Tsat) and relaxation delay (Trec). Although the recently developed quasi-steady-state (QUASS) solution can reconstruct equilibrium CEST effects under continuous-wave RF saturation, it does not apply to pulsed-CEST MRI on clinical scanners with restricted hardware or specific absorption rate limits. This study proposed a QUASS algorithm for pulsed-CEST MRI and evaluated its performance in muscle CEST measurement. An approximated expression of a steady-state pulsed-CEST signal was incorporated in the off-resonance spin-lock model, from which the QUASS pulsed-CEST effect was derived. Numerical simulation, creatine phantom, and healthy volunteer scans were conducted at 3 T. The CEST effect was quantified with asymmetry analysis in the simulation and phantom experiments. CEST effects of creatine, amide proton transfer, phosphocreatine, and combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser effects were isolated from a multi-pool Lorentzian model in muscles. Apparent and QUASS CEST measurements were compared under different Tsat/Trec and duty cycles. Paired Student's t-test was employed with P < 0.05 as statistically significant. The simulation, phantom, and human studies showed the strong impact of Tsat/Trec on apparent CEST measurements, which were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS CEST measures, especially under short Tsat/Trec times. In comparison, the QUASS algorithm mitigates such impact and enables accurate CEST measurements under short Tsat/Trec times. In conclusion, the QUASS algorithm can accelerate robust pulsed-CEST MRI, promising the efficient detection and evaluation of muscle diseases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiting Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulong Qi
- Department of Medical Imaging, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengcheng Gong
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bingsheng Huang
- Medical AI Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanxun Cheng
- Department of Medical Imaging, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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7
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Kim H, Park S, Hu R, Hoang KB, Sun PZ. 3D CEST MRI with an unevenly segmented RF irradiation scheme: A feasibility study in brain tumor imaging. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:2400-2410. [PMID: 37526017 PMCID: PMC10586718 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29810] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To integrate 3D CEST EPI with an unevenly segmented RF irradiation module and preliminarily demonstrate it in the clinical setting. METHODS A CEST MRI with unevenly segmented RF saturation was implemented, including a long primary RF saturation to induce the steady-state CEST effect, maintained with repetitive short secondary RF irradiation between readouts. This configuration reduces relaxation-induced blur artifacts during acquisition, allowing fast 3D spatial coverage. Numerical simulations were performed to select parameters such as flip angle (FA), short RF saturation duration (Ts2), and the number of readout segments. The sequence was validated experimentally with data from a phantom, healthy volunteers, and a brain tumor patient. RESULTS Based on the numerical simulation and l-carnosine gel phantom experiment, FA, Ts2, and the number of segments were set to 20°, 0.3 s, and the range from 4 to 8, respectively. The proposed method minimized signal modulation in the human brain images in the kz direction during the acquisition and provided the blur artifacts-free CEST contrast over the whole volume. Additionally, the CEST contrast in the tumor tissue region is higher than in the contralateral normal tissue region. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to implement a highly accelerated 3D EPI CEST imaging with unevenly segmented RF irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahnsung Kim
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
| | - Suhyung Park
- Department of Computer Engineering, Chonnam National University, South Korea
- Department of ICT Convergence System Engineering, Chonnam National University, South Korea
| | - Ranliang Hu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
| | - Kimberly B Hoang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
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8
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Wu L, Lu D, Sun PZ. Comparison of model-free Lorentzian and spinlock model-based fittings in quantitative CEST imaging of acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:1958-1968. [PMID: 37335834 PMCID: PMC10538953 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29772] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST MRI detects complex tissue changes following acute stroke. Our study aimed to test if spinlock model-based fitting of the quasi-steady-state (QUASS)-reconstructed equilibrium CEST MRI improves the determination of multi-pool signal changes over the commonly-used model-free Lorentzian fitting in acute stroke. THEORY AND METHODS Multiple three-pool CEST Z-spectra were simulated using Bloch-McConnell equations for a range of T1 , relaxation delay, and saturation times. The multi-pool CEST signals were solved from the simulated Z-spectra to test the accuracy of routine Lorentzian (model-free) and spinlock (model-based) fittings without and with QUASS reconstruction. In addition, multiparametric MRI scans were obtained in rat models of acute stroke, including relaxation, diffusion, and CEST Z-spectrum. Finally, we compared model-free and model-based per-pixel CEST quantification in vivo. RESULTS The spinlock model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI provided a nearly T1 -independent determination of multi-pool CEST signals, advantageous over the fittings of apparent CEST MRI (model-free and model-based). In vivo data also demonstrated that the spinlock model-based QUASS fitting captured significantly different changes in semisolid magnetization transfer (-0.9 ± 0.8 vs. 0.3 ± 0.8%), amide (-1.1 ± 0.4 vs. -0.5 ± 0.2%), and guanidyl (1.0 ± 0.4 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3%) signals over the model-free Lorentzian analysis. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that spinlock model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI improved the determination of the underlying tissue changes following acute stroke, promising further clinical translation of quantitative CEST imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Dongshuang Lu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
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Sun PZ. Numerical simulation-based assessment of pH-sensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI quantification accuracy across field strengths. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e5000. [PMID: 37401645 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI detects dilute labile protons via their exchange with bulk water, conferring pH sensitivity. Based on published exchange and relaxation properties, a 19-pool simulation was used to model the brain pH-dependent CEST effect and assess the accuracy of quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis across magnetic field strengths under typical scan conditions. First, the optimal B1 amplitude was determined by maximizing pH-sensitive amide proton transfer (APT) contrast under the equilibrium condition. Apparent and quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST effects were then derived under the optimal B1 amplitude as functions of pH, RF saturation duration, relaxation delay, Ernst flip angle, and field strength. Finally, CEST effects, particularly the APT signal, were isolated with spinlock model-based Z-spectral fitting to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of CEST quantification. Our data showed that QUASS reconstruction significantly improved the consistency between simulated and equilibrium Z-spectra. The residual difference between QUASS and equilibrium CEST Z-spectra was, on average, 30 times less than that of the apparent CEST Z-spectra across field strengths, saturation, and repetition times. Also, the spinlock fitting of the QUASS CEST effect significantly reduced the residual errors 9-fold. Furthermore, the isolated APT amplitude from QUASS reconstruction was consistent and higher than the apparent CEST analysis under nonequilibrium conditions. To summarize, this study confirmed that QUASS reconstruction facilitates accurate determination of the CEST system under different scan protocols across field strengths, with the potential to help standardize CEST quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Primate Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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10
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Song G, Chen Y, Luo X, Gong T, Yang H, Zhou J, Li C, Chen M. Amide proton transfer-weighted MRI features of acute ischemic stroke subtypes. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4983. [PMID: 37259224 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4983] [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: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is a highly heterogeneous disorder with distinct subtypes, and the stroke subtype influences the outcome. Amide proton transfer-weighted (APTW) MRI has been demonstrated to be promising in stroke patients, but the image characteristics of stroke subtypes have not been sufficiently investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the APTW MRI features of different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Ninety-two AIS patients presenting within 96 h of symptom onset were enrolled and examined with a 3.0-T MRI system. Patients were grouped into four subtypes: lacunar circulation infarcts (LACI, n = 33); total anterior circulation infarcts (TACI, n = 9); partial anterior circulation infarcts (PACI, n = 28); and posterior circulation infarcts (POCI, n = 22). APTW values in the lesion (APTWlesion ) and the contralateral normal-appearing region (APTWcontral ) were measured. The change in APTW values between the acute ischemic lesion and the contralateral normal-appearing region (APTWles-con ) was calculated. A two-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and the Chi-square method were used. There were significant differences between APTWlesion and APTWcontral in the three categories of nonlacunar strokes (TACI, PACI, and POCI, all p < 0.01), but not for lacunar strokes (LACI, p = 0.080). TACI patients had the lowest APTWlesion and APTWles-con in all groups (p < 0.05). In the POCI group, patients with supratentorial infarcts showed significant differences between APTWlesion and APTWcontral (p = 0.001), while the differences were not significant for infratentorial infarcts (p = 0.135). Our results suggest that the APT effect was heterogeneous in different stroke subtypes, and that APTW MRI gave an excellent performence in depicting nonlacunar AIS in supratentorial locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Song
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuhui Chen
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Luo
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Gong
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinyuan Zhou
- Division of MR Research, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chunmei Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Igarashi T, Kim H, Sun PZ. Detection of tissue pH with quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4711. [PMID: 35141979 PMCID: PMC10249910 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a novel means for sensitive detection of dilute labile protons and chemical exchange rates. By sensitizing to pH-dependent chemical exchange, CEST MRI has shown promising results in monitoring tissue statuses such as pH changes in disorders like acute stroke, tumor, and acute kidney injury. This article briefly reviews the basic principles for CEST imaging and quantitative measures, from the simplistic asymmetry analysis to multipool Lorentzian decoupling and quasi-steady-state reconstruction. In particular, the advantages and limitations of commonly used quantitative approaches for CEST applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Igarashi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA
| | - Hahnsung Kim
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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12
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Zhang L, Xu C, Li Z, Sun J, Wang X, Hou B, Zhao Y. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantification of transient ischemia using a combination method of 5-pool Lorentzian fitting and inverse Z-spectrum analysis. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2023; 13:1860-1873. [PMID: 36915363 PMCID: PMC10006163 DOI: 10.21037/qims-22-420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a promising method for the detection of biochemical alterations in cancers and neurological diseases. However, the sensitivity of the currently existing quantitative method for detecting ischemia needs further improvement. Methods To further improve the quantification of the CEST signal and enhance the CEST detection for ischemia, we used a quantitative analysis method that combines an inverse Z-spectrum analysis and a 5-pool Lorentzian fitting. Specifically, a 5-pool Lorentzian simulation was conducted with the following brain tissue parameters: water, amide (3.5 ppm), amine (2.2 ppm), magnetization transfer (MT), and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE; -3.5 ppm). The parameters were first calculated offline and stored as the initial value of the Z-spectrum fitting. Then, the measured Z-spectrum with the peak value set to 0 was fitted via the stored initial value, which yielded the reference Z-spectrum. Finally, the difference between the inverse of the Z-spectrum and the inverse of the reference Z-spectrum was used as the CEST definite spectrum. Results The simulation results demonstrated that the Z-spectra of the rat brain were well simulated by a 5-pool Lorentzian fitting. Further, the proposed method detected a larger difference than did either the saturation transfer difference or the 5-pool Lorentzian fitting, as demonstrated by simulations. According to the results of the cerebral ischemia rat model, the proposed method provided the highest contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the contralateral and the ipsilateral striatum under various acquisition conditions. The results indicated that the difference of fitted amplitudes generated with a 5-pool Lorentzian fitting in amide at 3.5 ppm (6.04%±0.39%; 6.86%±0.39%) was decreased in a stroke lesion compared to the contralateral normal tissue. Moreover, the difference of the residual of inversed Z-spectra in which 5-pool Lorentzian fitting was used to calculate the reference Z-spectra ( M T R R e x 5 L ) amplitudes in amide at 3.5 ppm (13.83%±2.20%, 15.69%±1.99%) was reduced in a stroke lesion compared to the contralateral normal tissue. Conclusions M T R R e x 5 L is predominantly pH-sensitive and is suitable for detecting tissue acidosis following an acute stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Zhang
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Chongxin Xu
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Junding Sun
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Beibei Hou
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Yingcheng Zhao
- Xi'an Key Lab of Radiomics and Intelligent Perception, School of Information Sciences and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
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Wu Y, Sun PZ. Demonstration of pH imaging in acute stroke with endogenous ratiometric chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging at 2 ppm. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4850. [PMID: 36259279 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
pH change is often considered a hallmark of metabolic disruption in diseases such as ischemic stroke and cancer. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, particularly amide proton transfer (APT), has emerged as a noninvasive pH imaging approach. However, there are changes in multipool CEST effects besides APT MRI. Our study investigated radiofrequency (RF) amplitude-based ratiometric CEST pH imaging in acute stroke. Briefly, adult male Wistar rats underwent CEST MRI under two RF saturation (B1 ) levels of 0.75 and 1.5 μT following middle cerebral artery occlusion. Magnetization transfer (MT), direct water saturation, CEST at 2 ppm (CEST@2 ppm), amine (2.75 ppm), and APT (3.5 ppm) effects were resolved with the multipool Lorentzian fitting approach. The ratiometric analysis was measured in the ischemic lesion and the contralateral normal area, which was also correlated with pH-specific MT and the relaxation normalized APT (MRAPT) index. MT, amine CEST effect, and their respective ratiometric indices did not show significant changes in ischemic regions (p > 0.05), as expected. Whereas APT decreased in the ischemic lesion for B1 of 1.5 μT (p < 0.01), the correlation between the amide ratio with MRAPT index was moderate (r = 0.52, p = 0.02). By comparison, the ischemic tissue showed a significantly increased CEST@2 ppm for both saturation levels from the contralateral normal area (p ≤ 0.01). Importantly, the CEST@2 ppm ratio decreased in the ischemic lesion (p < 0.01), which highly correlated with the MRAPT index (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). To summarize, our study demonstrated the feasibility of endogenous CEST@2 ppm ratiometric imaging of pH upon acute stroke, promising to detect pH changes in metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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14
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Sun PZ. Demonstration of accurate multi-pool chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI quantification - Quasi-steady-state reconstruction empowered quantitative CEST analysis. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2023; 348:107379. [PMID: 36689786 PMCID: PMC10023465 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2023.107379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to dilute labile protons and microenvironment properties, yet CEST quantification has been challenging. This difficulty is because the CEST measurement depends not only on the underlying CEST system but also on the scan protocols, including RF saturation amplitude, duration, and repetition time. In addition, T1 normalization is not straightforward under non-equilibrium conditions. Recently, a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) algorithm was established to reconstruct the desired equilibrium state from experimental measurements. Our study aimed to determine the accuracy of spinlock-model-based multi-pool CEST quantification using numerical simulations and phantom experiments. In short, CEST Z-spectra were simulated for a representative 3-pool model, and CEST amplitudes were solved with spinlock model-based multi-pool fitting and assessed as a function of RF saturation time (Ts), repetition time (TR), and T1. Although the apparent CEST signals showed significant T1 dependence, such relationships were not observed following QUASS reconstruction. To test the accuracy of T1 correction, a multi-vial phantom of nicotinamide and creatine was doped with manganese chloride, resulting in T1 ranging from 1 s to beyond 2 s. The multi-labile signals determined from the routine measurements showed significant dependence on Ts, TR, and T1. In contrast, CEST signals from the QUASS reconstruction showed consistent quantification independent of such variables. To summarize, our study demonstrated that accurate CEST quantification is feasible in multi-pool CEST systems with the spinlock-model-based fitting of QUASS CEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Primate Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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15
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Predicting a Favorable (mRS 0-2) or Unfavorable (mRS 3-6) Stroke Outcome by Arterial Spin Labeling and Amide Proton Transfer Imaging in Post-Thrombolysis Stroke Patients. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13020248. [PMID: 36836482 PMCID: PMC9962289 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13020248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether arterial spin labeling (ASL), amide proton transfer (APT), or their combination could distinguish between patients with a low and high modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and forecast the effectiveness of the therapy; (2) Methods: Fifty-eight patients with subacute phase ischemic stroke were included in this study. Based on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and asymmetry magnetic transfer ratio (MTRasym) images, histogram analysis was performed on the ischemic area to acquire imaging biomarkers, and the contralateral area was used as a control. Imaging biomarkers were compared between the low (mRS 0-2) and high (mRS 3-6) mRS score groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the potential biomarkers in differentiating between the two groups; (3) Results: The rAPT 50th had an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.728, with a sensitivity of 91.67% and a specificity of 61.76% for differentiating between patients with low and high mRS scores. Moreover, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the rASL max were 0.926, 100%, and 82.4%, respectively. Combining the parameters with logistic regression could further improve the performance in predicting prognosis, leading to an AUC of 0.968, a sensitivity of 100%, and a specificity of 91.2%; (4) Conclusions: The combination of APT and ASL may be a potential imaging biomarker to reflect the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy for stroke patients, assisting in guiding treatment approaches and identifying high-risk patients such as those with severe disability, paralysis, and cognitive impairment.
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16
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Ho E, Deng Y, Akbar D, Da K, Létourneau M, Morshead CM, Chatenet D, Shoichet MS. Tunable Surface Charge Enables the Electrostatic Adsorption-Controlled Release of Neuroprotective Peptides from a Hydrogel-Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:91-105. [PMID: 36520607 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We exploit the electrostatic interactions between the positively charged neuroprotective peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and negatively charged poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to control PACAP release from the surface of nanoparticles dispersed in a hyaluronan-methylcellulose (HAMC) hydrogel composite. PACAP is a promising therapeutic for the treatment of neurological disorders, yet it has been difficult to deliver in vivo. Herein, the PACAP release rate was tuned by manipulating peptide adsorption onto the surface of blank nanoparticles by modifying either nanoparticle loading in the hydrogel or nanoparticle surface charge. This peptide-nanoparticle interaction was controlled by the pH-responsive carboxylic acid end terminal groups of PLGA. We further validated this system with the controlled release of a novel stabilized PACAP analog: Ac-[Ala15, Ala20]PACAP-propylamide, which masks its recognition to peptidases in circulation. Both wild-type and stabilized PACAP released from the vehicle increased the production of neuroprotective Interleukin-6 from cultured primary astrocytes. Using computational fluid dynamics methods, PACAP release from the composite was predicted based on experimentally derived adsorption isotherms, which exhibited similar release profiles to experimental data. This versatile adsorption-based system was used to deliver PACAP locally to the brains of stroke-injured mice over a 10 day period in vivo, highlighting its effectiveness for the controlled release of PACAP to the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Ho
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Yaoqi Deng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Dania Akbar
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Kevin Da
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Myriam Létourneau
- INRS, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QuebecH7 V 1B7, Canada
| | - Cindi M Morshead
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, 149 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E1, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E1, Canada
| | - David Chatenet
- INRS, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QuebecH7 V 1B7, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E5, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3H6, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, OntarioM5S 3E1, Canada
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17
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state amide proton transfer (QUASS APT) MRI enhances pH-weighted imaging of acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:2633-2644. [PMID: 36178234 PMCID: PMC9529238 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging measurement depends not only on the labile proton concentration and pH-dependent exchange rate but also on experimental conditions, including the relaxation delay and radiofrequency (RF) saturation time. Our study aimed to extend a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) solution to a modified multi-slice CEST MRI sequence and test if it provides enhanced pH imaging after acute stroke. METHODS Our study derived the QUASS solution for a modified multislice CEST MRI sequence with an unevenly segmented RF saturation between image readout and signal averaging. Numerical simulation was performed to test if the generalized QUASS solution corrects the impact of insufficiently long relaxation delay, primary and secondary saturation times, and multi-slice readout. In addition, multiparametric MRI scans were obtained after middle cerebral artery occlusion, including relaxation and CEST Z-spectrum, to evaluate the performance of QUASS CEST MRI in a rodent acute stroke model. We also performed Lorentzian fitting to isolate multi-pool CEST contributions. RESULTS The QUASS analysis enhanced pH-weighted magnetization transfer asymmetry contrast over the routine apparent CEST measurements in both contralateral normal (-3.46% ± 0.62% (apparent) vs. -3.67% ± 0.66% (QUASS), P < 0.05) and ischemic tissue (-5.53% ± 0.68% (apparent) vs. -5.94% ± 0.73% (QUASS), P < 0.05). Lorentzian fitting also showed significant differences between routine and QUASS analysis of ischemia-induced changes in magnetization transfer, amide, amine, guanidyl CEST, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (-1.6 parts per million) effects. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that generalized QUASS analysis enhanced pH MRI contrast and improved quantification of the underlying CEST contrast mechanism, promising for further in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Imaging Center, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA
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18
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Cen J, Zhang R, Zhao T, Zhang X, Zhang C, Cui J, Zhao K, Duan S, Guo Y. A Water-Soluble Quercetin Conjugate with Triple Targeting Exerts Neuron-Protective Effect on Cerebral Ischemia by Mitophagy Activation. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200817. [PMID: 36071574 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The existing treatments for ischemic stroke cannot meet the clinical needs so far. Quercetin (QT) is an effective apoptosis inhibitor and antioxidant flavonoid, but its water solubility is poor and has no targeting. In this study, QT is modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) to form a water-soluble conjugate HA-QT, which can specifically bind to CD44 receptors and response to hyaluronidase. Next, a novel delivery system SS31-HA-QT is prepared by further modification with SS31, a polypeptide capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and indiscriminately targeting mitochondria. Meanwhile, IR780, a near-infrared dye, is conjugated onto HA-QT and SS31-HA-QT to form diagnosis tools to trace HA-QT and SS31-HA-QT. In vitro and in vivo results shows that SS31 can four-fold increase the drug penetration into BBB without any toxicity. The highly expressed CD44 and hyaluronidase in ischemic area ensured the targeted delivery of QT to the ischemic region. Importantly, the mitochondrial targeting of damaged neurons is also achieved by SS31. Further studies confirmed that SS31-HA-QT exerted neuron-protection by activating mitophagy, and its mechanism involved Akt/mTOR related TFEB and HIF-1α activation. Hence, SS31-HA-QT shall be a promising neuroprotective drug due to its high water-solubility, superior triple-targeted neuroprotective ability, low toxicity, and high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Cen
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Runfang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Tingkui Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Chuan Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Molecular Engineering of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jie Cui
- Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Keqing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Shaofeng Duan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.,Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Efficacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475004, China
| | - Yuqi Guo
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.,Engineering Research Center for Gynecological Oncology Nanomedicine of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
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19
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Liu Z, Yang Q, Luo H, Luo D, Qian L, Liu X, Zheng H, Sun PZ, Wu Y. Demonstration of fast and equilibrium human muscle creatine CEST imaging at 3 T. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:322-331. [PMID: 35324024 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) MRI is used increasingly in muscle imaging. However, the CrCEST measurement depends on the RF saturation duration (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td), and it is challenging to compare the results of different scan parameters. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CrCEST MRI on clinical 3T scanners. METHODS T1 and CEST MRI scans of Ts/Td of 1 s/1 s and 2 s/2 s were obtained from a multi-compartment creatine phantom and 5 healthy volunteers. The CrCEST effect was quantified with asymmetry analysis in the phantom, whereas 5-pool Lorentzian fitting was applied to isolate creatine from phosphocreatine, amide proton transfer, combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects, and direct water saturation in four major muscle groups of the lower leg. The routine and QUASS CrCEST measurements were compared under two different imaging conditions. Paired Student's t-test was performed with p-values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS The phantom study showed a substantial influence of Ts/Td on the routine CrCEST quantification (p = 0.02), and such impact was mitigated with the QUASS algorithm (p = 0.20). The volunteer experiment showed that the routine CrCEST, amide proton transfer, and combined magnetization transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects increased significantly with Ts and Td (p < 0.05) and were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (p < 0.01). In comparison, the QUASS CrCEST MRI showed little dependence on Ts and Td, indicating its robustness and accuracy. CONCLUSION The QUASS CrCEST MRI is feasible to provide fast and accurate muscle creatine imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Liu
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Honghong Luo
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dehong Luo
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Long Qian
- MR Research, GE Healthcare, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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20
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Sun PZ. Consistent depiction of the acidic ischemic lesion with APT MRI-Dual RF power evaluation of pH-sensitive image in acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2022; 87:850-858. [PMID: 34590730 PMCID: PMC8627494 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) MRI provides a non-invasive pH-sensitive image, complementing perfusion and diffusion imaging for refined stratification of ischemic tissue. Although the commonly used magnetization transfer (MT) asymmetry (MTRasym ) calculation reasonably corrects the direct RF saturation effect, it is susceptible to the concomitant semisolid macromolecular MT contribution. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the performance of MTRasym and magnetization transfer and relaxation-normalized APT (MRAPT) analyses under 2 representative experimental conditions. METHODS Multiparametric MRI scans were performed in a rodent model of acute stroke, including relaxation, diffusion, and Z spectral images under 2 representative RF levels of 0.75 and 1.5 µT. Both MTRasym and MRAPT values in the ischemic diffusion lesion and the contralateral normal areas were compared using correlation and Bland-Altman tests. In addition, the acidic lesion volumes were compared. RESULTS MRAPT measurements from the diffusion lesion under the 2 conditions were highly correlated (R2 = 0.97) versus MTRasym measures (R2 = 0.58). The pH lesion sizes determined from MRAPT analysis were in good agreement (178 ± 43 mm3 vs. 186 ± 55 mm3 for B1 of 0.75 and 1.5 µT, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that MRAPT analysis could be generalized to moderately different RF amplitudes, providing a more consistent depiction of acidic lesions than the MTRasym analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta GA,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA,Corresponding Author: Phillip Zhe Sun, Ph.D., Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, Phone: (404) 727-7786; (404) 712-1667,
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21
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Boyd PS, Breitling J, Korzowski A, Zaiss M, Franke VL, Mueller-Decker K, Glinka A, Ladd ME, Bachert P, Goerke S. Mapping intracellular pH in tumors using amide and guanidyl CEST-MRI at 9.4 T. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:2436-2452. [PMID: 34958684 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In principle, non-invasive mapping of the intracellular pH (pHi ) in vivo is possible using endogenous chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST)-MRI of the amide and guanidyl signals. However, the application for cancer imaging is still impeded, as current state-of-the-art approaches do not allow for simultaneous compensation of concomitant effects that vary within tumors. In this study, we present a novel method for absolute pHi mapping using endogenous CEST-MRI, which simultaneously compensates for concentration changes, superimposing CEST signals, magnetization transfer contrast, and spillover dilution. THEORY AND METHODS Compensation of the concomitant effects was achieved by a ratiometric approach (i.e. the ratio of one CEST signal at different B1 ) in combination with the relaxation-compensated inverse magnetization transfer ratio MTRRex and a separate first-order polynomial-Lorentzian fit of the amide and guanidyl signals at 9.4 T. Calibration of pH values was accomplished using in vivo-like model suspensions from porcine brain lysates. Applicability of the presented method in vivo was demonstrated in n = 19 tumor-bearing mice. RESULTS In porcine brain lysates, measurement of pH was feasible over a broad range of physiologically relevant pH values of 6.2 to 8.0, while being independent of changes in concentration. A median pHi of approximately 7.2 was found in the lesions of 19 tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION The presented method enables non-invasive mapping of absolute pHi values in tumors using CEST-MRI, which was so far prevented by concomitant effects. Consequently, pre-clinical studies on pHi changes in tumors are possible allowing the assessment of pHi in vivo as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis or treatment monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S Boyd
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Breitling
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Korzowski
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moritz Zaiss
- Division of Neuroradiology in Radiological Institute, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa L Franke
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karin Mueller-Decker
- Core Facility Tumor Models (Center for Preclinical Research), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Glinka
- Division of Molecular Embryology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E Ladd
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Bachert
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steffen Goerke
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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22
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Wu Y, Liu Z, Yang Q, Zou L, Zhang F, Qian L, Liu X, Zheng H, Luo D, Sun PZ. Fast and equilibrium CEST imaging of brain tumor patients at 3T. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 33:102890. [PMID: 34864285 PMCID: PMC8645967 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, versatile for detecting endogenous mobile proteins and tissue pH, has proved valuable in tumor imaging. However, CEST MRI scans are often performed under non-equilibrium conditions, which confound tissue characterization. This study proposed a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST MRI algorithm to standardize fast and accurate tumor imaging at 3 T. The CEST signal evolution was modeled by longitudinal relaxation rate during relaxation delay (Td) and spinlock relaxation during RF saturation time (Ts), from which the QUASS CEST effect is derived. Numerical simulation and human MR imaging experiments (7 healthy volunteers and 19 tumor patients) were conducted at 3 T to compare the CEST measurements obtained under two representative experimental conditions. In addition, amide proton transfer (APT), combined magnetization transfer (MT) and nuclear overhauser enhancement (NOE) effects, and direct water saturation were isolated using a 3-pool Lorentzian fitting in white matter and gray matter of healthy volunteers and for patients in the contralateral normal-appearing white matter and tumor regions. Finally, the student's t-test was performed between conventional and QUASS CEST measurements. The routine APT and combined MT & NOE measures significantly varied with Ts and Td (P < .001) and were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (P < .001). In contrast, the results from the QUASS reconstruction showed little dependence on the scan protocol (P > .05), indicating the accuracy and robustness of QUASS CEST MRI for tumor imaging. To summarize, the QUASS CEST reconstruction algorithm enables fast and accurate tumor CEST imaging at 3 T, promising to expedite and standardize clinical CEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liyan Zou
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Long Qian
- MR Research, GE Healthcare, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dehong Luo
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA,Corresponding author at: Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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23
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Liu J, Liu H, Liu Q, Xu J, Liu X, Zheng H, Wu Y. Encoding capability prediction of acquisition schedules in CEST MR fingerprinting for pH quantification. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:2044-2052. [PMID: 34752642 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify a reliable metric for predicting the encoding capability of CEST MR fingerprinting acquisition schedules for pH quantification, which may facilitate CEST MR fingerprinting protocol optimization. METHODS Numerical simulations and Cr phantom MRI experiments were conducted at 3 Tesla under representative CEST MR fingerprinting sampling scenarios, including the pseudorandomization of imaging parameters (e.g., saturation power B1 , saturation frequency offset, saturation time, and relaxation time), and variation of the maximum saturation power B1max , B1 number, and sampling pattern. The CEST effect at 2 ppm was measured using asymmetry analysis and matched to a predefined dictionary to determine the pH. The pH quantification error was assessed using RMSE. Three metrics, namely the Cramer-Rao bound, dot product, and Euclidean distance, were calculated for each sampling scenario, and their relationships with the pH RMSE were investigated to examine their effectiveness for predicting the encoding capability of sampling schedules for pH quantification. RESULTS Both simulation and phantom studies revealed that the Cramer-Rao bound metric consistently exhibited superior performance for predicting the pH quantification error. Although dot product exhibited good encoding capability prediction in most sampling scenarios, it failed in the scenario with varied B1 numbers. In contrast, Euclidean distance exhibited the worst performance among the 3 metrics in all scenarios. CONCLUSION Superior over dot product and Euclidean distance, the Cramer-Rao bound metric may reliably predicting the encoding capability of CEST MR fingerprinting sampling strategies and may be useful for guiding CEST MRI protocol optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Liu
- UIH America Inc., Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qi Liu
- UIH America Inc., Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jian Xu
- UIH America Inc., Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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24
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Cheung J, Doerr M, Hu R, Sun PZ. Refined Ischemic Penumbra Imaging with Tissue pH and Diffusion Kurtosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Transl Stroke Res 2021; 12:742-753. [PMID: 33159656 PMCID: PMC8102648 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-020-00868-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Imaging has played a vital role in our mechanistic understanding of acute ischemia and the management of acute stroke patients. The most recent DAWN and DEFUSE-3 trials showed that endovascular therapy could be extended to a selected group of late-presenting stroke patients with the aid of imaging. Although perfusion and diffusion MRI have been commonly used in stroke imaging, the approximation of their mismatch as the penumbra is oversimplified, particularly in the era of endovascular therapy. Briefly, the hypoperfusion lesion includes the benign oligemia that does not proceed to infarction. Also, with prompt and effective reperfusion therapy, a portion of the diffusion lesion is potentially reversible. Therefore, advanced imaging that provides improved ischemic tissue characterization may enable new experimental stroke therapeutics and eventually further individualize stroke treatment upon translation to the clinical setting. Specifically, pH imaging captures tissue of altered metabolic state that demarcates the hypoperfused lesion into ischemic penumbra and benign oligemia, which remains promising to define the ischemic penumbra's outer boundary. On the other hand, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) differentiates the most severely damaged and irreversibly injured diffusion lesion from the portion of diffusion lesion that is potentially reversible, refining the inner boundary of the penumbra. Altogether, the development of advanced imaging has the potential to not only transform the experimental stroke research but also aid clinical translation and patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Cheung
- Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Madeline Doerr
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Ranliang Hu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1364 Clifton RD NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1364 Clifton RD NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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25
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Kim H, Krishnamurthy LC, Sun PZ. Demonstration of fast multi-slice quasi-steady-state chemical exchange saturation transfer (QUASS CEST) human brain imaging at 3T. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:810-819. [PMID: 34590726 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To combine multi-slice chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging with quasi-steady-state (QUASS) processing and demonstrate the feasibility of fast QUASS CEST MRI at 3T. METHODS Fast multi-slice echo planar imaging (EPI) CEST imaging was developed with concatenated slice acquisition after single radiofrequency irradiation. The multi-slice CEST signal evolution was described by the spin-lock relaxation during saturation duration (Ts ) and longitudinal relaxation during the relaxation delay time (Td ) and post-label delay (PLD), from which the QUASS CEST was generalized to fast multi-slice acquisition. In addition, numerical simulations, phantom, and normal human subjects scans were performed to compare the conventional apparent and QUASS CEST measurements with different Ts , Td, and PLD. RESULTS The numerical simulation showed that the apparent CEST effect strongly depends on Ts , Td , and PLD, while the QUASS CEST algorithm minimizes such dependences. In the L-carnosine gel phantom, the proposed QUASS CEST effects (2.68 ± 0.12% [mean ± SD]) were higher than the apparent CEST effects (1.85 ± 0.26%, p < 5e-4). In the human brain imaging, Bland-Altman analysis bias of the proposed QUASS CEST effects was much smaller than the PLD-corrected apparent CEST effects (0.03% vs. -0.54%), indicating the proposed fast multi-slice CEST imaging is robust and accurate. CONCLUSIONS The QUASS processing enables fast multi-slice CEST imaging with minimal loss in the measurement of the CEST effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahnsung Kim
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lisa C Krishnamurthy
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA, Decatur, Georgia, USA.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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26
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Hampton DG, Goldman-Yassen AE, Sun PZ, Hu R. Metabolic Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroimaging: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Sodium Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer. Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2021; 42:452-462. [PMID: 34537114 DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) is a powerful and versatile technique that offers much more beyond conventional anatomic imaging and has the potential of probing in vivo metabolism. Although MR spectroscopy (MRS) predates clinical MR imaging (MRI), its clinical application has been limited by technical and practical challenges. Other MR techniques actively being developed for in vivo metabolic imaging include sodium concentration imaging and chemical exchange saturation transfer. This article will review some of the practical aspects of MRS in neuroimaging, introduce sodium MRI and chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI, and highlight some of their emerging clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Hampton
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
| | - Adam E Goldman-Yassen
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ranliang Hu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
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27
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state chemical exchange saturation transfer (QUASS CEST) MRI analysis enables T 1 normalized CEST quantification - Insight into T 1 contribution to CEST measurement. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2021; 329:107022. [PMID: 34144360 PMCID: PMC8316384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2021.107022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI depends not only on the labile proton concentration and exchange rate but also on relaxation rates, particularly T1 relaxation time. However, T1 normalization has shown to be not straightforward under non-steady-state conditions and in the presence of radiofrequency spillover effect. Our study aimed to test if the combined use of the new quasi-steady-state (QUASS) analysis and inverse CEST calculation facilitates T1 normalization for improved CEST quantification. The CEST signal was simulated with Bloch-McConnell equations, and the apparent CEST, QUASS CEST, and the inverse CEST effects were calculated. T1-normalized CEST effects were tested for their specificity to the underlying CEST system (i.e., labile proton ratio and exchange rate). CEST experiments were performed from a 9-vial phantom of independently varied concentrations of creatine (20, 40, and 60 mM) and manganese chloride (20, 30, and 40 µM) under a range of RF saturation amplitudes (0.5-4 µT) and durations (1-4 s). The simulation showed that while T1 normalization of the apparent CEST effect was subject to noticeable T1 contamination, the T1-normalized inverse QUASS CEST effect had little T1 dependence. The experimental data were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model, showing that T1-normalized inverse QUASS analysis significantly depended on creatine concentration and saturation power (P < 0.05), not on manganese chloride concentration and saturation duration, advantageous over other CEST indices. The QUASS CEST algorithm reconstructs the steady-state CEST effect, enabling T1-normalized inverse CEST effect calculation for improved quantification of the underlying CEST system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta GA, United States.
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28
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Lu D, Ji Y, Sundaram P, Traub RD, Guan Y, Zhou J, Li T, Zhe Sun P, Luan G, Okada Y. Alkaline brain pH shift in rodent lithium-pilocarpine model of epilepsy with chronic seizures. Brain Res 2021; 1758:147345. [PMID: 33556378 PMCID: PMC7987840 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2021.147345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Brain pH is thought to be important in epilepsy. The regulation of brain pH is, however, still poorly understood in animal models of chronic seizures (SZ) as well as in patients with intractable epilepsy. We used chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI to noninvasively determine if the pH is alkaline shifted in a rodent model of the mesial temporal lobe (MTL) epilepsy with chronic SZ. Taking advantage of its high spatial resolution, we determined the pH values in specific brain regions believed to be important in this model produced by lithium-pilocarpine injection. All animals developed status epilepticus within 90 min after the lithium-pilocarpine administration, but one animal died within 24 hrs. All the surviving animals developed chronic SZ during the first 2 months. After SZ developed, brain pH was determined in the pilocarpine and control groups (n = 8 each). Epileptiform activity was documented in six pilocarpine rats with scalp EEG. The brain pH was estimated using two methods based on magnetization transfer asymmetry and amide proton transfer ratio. The pH was alkaline shifted in the pilocarpine rats (one outlier excluded) compared to the controls in the hippocampus (7.29 vs 7.17, t-test, p < 0.03) and the piriform cortex (7.34 vs. 7.06, p < 0.005), marginally more alkaline in the thalamus (7.13 vs. 7.01, p < 0.05), but not in the cerebral cortex (7.18 vs. 7.08, p > 0.05). Normalizing the brain pH may lead to an effective non-surgical method for treating intractable epilepsy as it is known that SZ can be eliminated by lowering the pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongshuang Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Yang Ji
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA; Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Padmavathi Sundaram
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Roger D Traub
- AI Foundations, IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, 10598 USA
| | - Yuguang Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing, China
| | - Tianfu Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing, China; Department of Neurology, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA; Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Guoming Luan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing, China.
| | - Yoshio Okada
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Dept. Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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29
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Foo LS, Larkin JR, Sutherland BA, Ray KJ, Yap WS, Hum YC, Lai KW, Manan HA, Sibson NR, Tee YK. Study of common quantification methods of amide proton transfer magnetic resonance imaging for ischemic stroke detection. Magn Reson Med 2021; 85:2188-2200. [PMID: 33107119 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the correlation and differences between common amide proton transfer (APT) quantification methods in the diagnosis of ischemic stroke. METHODS Five APT quantification methods, including asymmetry analysis and its variants as well as two Lorentzian model-based methods, were applied to data acquired from six rats that underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion scanned at 9.4T. Diffusion and perfusion-weighted images, and water relaxation time maps were also acquired to study the relationship of these conventional imaging modalities with the different APT quantification methods. RESULTS The APT ischemic area estimates had varying sizes (Jaccard index: 0.544 ≤ J ≤ 0.971) and had varying correlations in their distributions (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.104 ≤ r ≤ 0.995), revealing discrepancies in the quantified ischemic areas. The Lorentzian methods produced the highest contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs; 1.427 ≤ CNR ≤ 2.002), but generated APT ischemic areas that were comparable in size to the cerebral blood flow (CBF) deficit areas; asymmetry analysis and its variants produced APT ischemic areas that were smaller than the CBF deficit areas but larger than the apparent diffusion coefficient deficit areas, though having lower CNRs (0.561 ≤ CNR ≤ 1.083). CONCLUSION There is a need to further investigate the accuracy and correlation of each quantification method with the pathophysiology using a larger scale multi-imaging modality and multi-time-point clinical study. Future studies should include the magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry results alongside the findings of the study to facilitate the comparison of results between different centers and also the published literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Sze Foo
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - James R Larkin
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brad A Sutherland
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Acute Stroke Programme, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J Ray
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Wun-She Yap
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yan Chai Hum
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Khin Wee Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Jalan Universiti, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hanani Abdul Manan
- Department of Radiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nicola R Sibson
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yee Kai Tee
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
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30
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Autissier R, Mazuel L, Maubert E, Bonny JM, Auzeloux P, Schmitt S, Traoré A, Peyrode C, Miot-Noirault E, Pagés G. Simultaneous proteoglycans and hypoxia mapping of chondrosarcoma environment by frequency selective CEST MRI. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:1008-1018. [PMID: 33772858 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28781] [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: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the relevance of CEST frequency selectivity in simultaneous in vivo imaging of both of chondrosarcoma's phenotypic features, that are, its high proteoglycan concentration and its hypoxic core. METHODS Swarm rat chondrosarcomas were implanted subcutaneously in NMRI nude mice. When tumors were measurable (12-16 days postoperative), mice were submitted to GAG, guanidyl, and APT CEST imaging. Proteoglycans and hypoxia were assessed in parallel by nuclear imaging exploiting 99m Tc-NTP 15-5 and 18 F-FMISO, respectively. Data were completed by ex vivo analysis of proteoglycans (histology and biochemical assay) and hypoxia (immunofluorescence). RESULTS Quantitative analysis of GAG CEST evidenced a significantly higher signal for tumor tissues than for muscles. These results were in agreement with nuclear imaging and ex vivo data. For imaging tumoral pH in vivo, the CEST ratio of APT/guanidyl was studied. This highlighted an important heterogeneity inside the tumor. The hypoxic status was confirmed by 18 F-FMISO PET imaging and ex vivo immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION CEST MRI simultaneously imaged both chondrosarcoma properties during a single experimental run and without the injection of any contrast agent. Both MR and nuclear imaging as well as ex vivo data were in agreement and showed that this chondrosarcoma animal model was rich in proteoglycans. However, even if tumors were lightly hypoxic at the stage studied, acidic areas were highlighted and mapped inside the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Autissier
- INRAE, UR QuaPA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,INRAE, ISC AgroResonance, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Leslie Mazuel
- INRAE, UR QuaPA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.,Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,INRAE, ISC AgroResonance, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Elise Maubert
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jean-Marie Bonny
- INRAE, UR QuaPA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.,INRAE, ISC AgroResonance, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Philippe Auzeloux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sébastien Schmitt
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Amidou Traoré
- INRAE, UR QuaPA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.,INRAE, ISC AgroResonance, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Caroline Peyrode
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Elisabeth Miot-Noirault
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Guilhem Pagés
- INRAE, UR QuaPA, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.,INRAE, ISC AgroResonance, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
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Kim H, Wu Y, Villano D, Longo DL, McMahon MT, Sun PZ. Analysis Protocol for the Quantification of Renal pH Using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2216:667-688. [PMID: 33476030 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0978-1_40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
The kidney plays a major role in maintaining body pH homeostasis. Renal pH, in particular, changes immediately following injuries such as intoxication and ischemia, making pH an early biomarker for kidney injury before the symptom onset and complementary to well-established laboratory tests. Because of this, it is imperative to develop minimally invasive renal pH imaging exams and test pH as a new diagnostic biomarker in animal models of kidney injury before clinical translation. Briefly, iodinated contrast agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for computed tomography (CT) have demonstrated promise as novel chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI agents for pH-sensitive imaging. The generalized ratiometric iopamidol CEST MRI analysis enables concentration-independent pH measurement, which simplifies in vivo renal pH mapping. This chapter describes quantitative CEST MRI analysis for preclinical renal pH mapping, and their application in rodents, including normal conditions and acute kidney injury.This publication is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This analysis protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concepts and experimental procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahnsung Kim
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Daisy Villano
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Dario Livio Longo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), Torino, Italy
| | - Michael T McMahon
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.,The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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Zhang XY, Zhai Y, Jin Z, Li C, Sun PZ, Wu Y. Preliminary demonstration of in vivo quasi-steady-state CEST postprocessing-Correction of saturation time and relaxation delay for robust quantification of tumor MT and APT effects. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:943-953. [PMID: 33723890 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is versatile for measuring the dilute labile protons and microenvironment properties. However, the use of insufficiently long RF saturation duration (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td) may underestimate the CEST measurement. This study proposed a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST analysis for robust CEST quantification. METHODS The CEST signal evolution was modeled as a function of the longitudinal relaxation rate during Td and spin-lock relaxation rate during Ts, from which the QUASS-CEST effect is derived. Numerical simulation and in vivo rat glioma MRI experiments were conducted at 11.7 T to compare the apparent and QUASS-CEST results obtained under different Ts/Td of 2 seconds/2 seconds and 4 seconds/4 seconds. Magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects were resolved using a multipool Lorentzian fitting and evaluated in contralateral normal tissue and tumor regions. RESULTS The simulation showed the dependence of the apparent CEST effect on Ts and Td, and such reliance was mitigated with the QUASS algorithm. Animal experiment results showed that the apparent magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects and their contrast between contralateral normal tissue and tumor regions increased substantially with Ts and Td. In comparison, the QUASS magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer effects and their difference between contralateral normal tissue and tumor exhibited little dependence on Ts and Td. In addition, the apparent magnetization transfer and amide proton transfer were significantly smaller than the corresponding QUASS indices (P < .05). CONCLUSION The QUASS-CEST algorithm enables robust CEST quantification and offers a straightforward approach to standardize CEST experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yong Zhang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Zhai
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Li
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Yin Wu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady-state CEST (QUASS CEST) solution improves the accuracy of CEST quantification: QUASS CEST MRI-based omega plot analysis. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:765-776. [PMID: 33749052 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST MRI omega plot quantifies the labile proton fraction ratio (fr ) and exchange rate (ksw ), yet it assumes long RF saturation time (Ts) and relaxation delay (Td). Our study aimed to test if a quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST analysis that accounts for the effect of finite Ts and Td could improve the accuracy of CEST MRI quantification. METHODS We modeled the MRI signal evolution using a typical CEST EPI sequence. The signal relaxes toward its thermal equilibrium following the bulk water relaxation rate during Td, and then toward its CEST steady state following the spin-lock relaxation rate during Ts from which the QUASS CEST effect is derived. Both fr and ksw were solved from simulated conventional apparent CEST and QUASS CEST MRI. We also performed MRI experiments from a Cr-gel phantom under serially varied Ts and Td times from 1.5 to 7.5 s. RESULTS Simulation showed that, although ksw could be slightly overestimated (3%-15%) for the range of Ts and Td, fr could be substantially underestimated by as much as 67%. In contrast, the QUASS solution provided accurate ksw and fr determination within 2%. The CEST MRI experiments confirmed that the QUASS solution enabled robust quantification of ksw and fr , superior over the omega plot analysis based on the conventional apparent CEST MRI measurements. CONCLUSIONS The QUASS CEST MRI algorithm corrects the effect of finite Ts and Td times on CEST measurements, thereby allowing robust and accurate CEST quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Dai Z, Kalra S, Mah D, Seres P, Sun H, Wu R, Wilman AH. Amide signal intensities may be reduced in the motor cortex and the corticospinal tract of ALS patients. Eur Radiol 2021; 31:1401-1409. [PMID: 32909054 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study is to assess amide concentration changes in ALS patients compared with healthy controls by using quantitative amide proton transfer (APT) and multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging, and testing its correlation with clinical scores. METHODS Sixteen ALS patients and sixteen healthy controls were recruited as part of the Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium, and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 3 T, including APT and diffusion imaging. Lorentz fitting was used to quantify the amide effect. Clinical disability was evaluated using the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R), and its correlation with image characteristics was assessed. The diagnostic performance of different imaging parameters was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS Our results showed that the amide peak was significantly different between the motor cortex and other gray matter territories within the brain of ALS patients (p < 0.001). Compared with controls, amide signal intensities in ALS were significantly reduced in the motor cortex (p < 0.001) and corticospinal tract (p = 0.046), while abnormalities were not detected using routine imaging methods. There was no significant correlation between amide and ALSFRS-R score. The diagnostic accuracy of the amide peak was superior to that of diffusion imaging. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated changes of amide signal intensities in the motor cortex and corticospinal tract of ALS patients. KEY POINTS • The neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has a lack of objective imaging indicators for diagnosis and assessment. • Analysis of amide proton transfer imaging revealed changes in the motor cortex and corticospinal tract of ALS patients that were not visible on standard magnetic resonance imaging. • The diagnostic accuracy of the amide peak was superior to that of diffusion imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuozhi Dai
- Department of Radiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2V2, Canada
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Dennell Mah
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Peter Seres
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2V2, Canada
| | - Hongfu Sun
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Renhua Wu
- Department of Radiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
| | - Alan H Wilman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2V2, Canada.
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Sun PZ. Quasi-steady state chemical exchange saturation transfer (QUASS CEST) analysis-correction of the finite relaxation delay and saturation time for robust CEST measurement. Magn Reson Med 2021; 85:3281-3289. [PMID: 33486816 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST provides a MR contrast mechanism sensitizing to the exchange between dilute labile and bulk water protons. However, the CEST effect depends on the RF saturation duration and relaxation delay, which need to be long to reach its steady state. Our study aims to estimate the QUAsi-Steady State (QUASS) CEST signal from experiments with shorter saturation and relaxation delay times. METHODS The evolution of the CEST signal was modeled as a function of the bulk water longitudinal relaxation rate during the relaxation delay (Td) and spin-lock relaxation rate during the RF saturation (Ts), from which the QUASS CEST effect is solved. Numeric simulations were programmed to compare the apparent CEST and QUASS CEST effects as a function of Ts and Td times. We also performed CEST MRI experiments from a creatine-gel pH phantom under serially varied Ts and Td times. RESULTS The numeric simulation showed that although the apparent CEST effect depends on Td and Ts, the QUASS CEST solution has little dependence. Phantom results showed that the routine CEST pH contrast could be described by a nonlinear regression model (ie, Δ C E S T R = Δ C E S T R eq app 1 - e - R 1 ρ app · t ). We had Δ C E S T R eq app = 3.90 ± 0.03 % (P < 5e-8) and R 1 ρ app = 0.62 ± 0.02 s - 1 (P < 5e-6). For the QUASS CEST analysis, we modeled the pH contrast as Δ C E S T R = Δ C E S T R eq QUASS + s · t , using a linear regression model. We had Δ C E S T R eq QUASS = 3.63 ± 0.01 % (P < 5e-9) and s = - 0.02 ± 0.00 % / s (P < 0.01), the slope of which is minimal. CONCLUSIONS The QUASS CEST algorithm provides a post-processing solution that facilitates robust CEST measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Kim H, Krishnamurthy LC, Sun PZ. Brain pH Imaging and its Applications. Neuroscience 2021; 474:51-62. [PMID: 33493621 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis and pH regulation are critical for normal tissue metabolism and physiology, and brain tissue pH alters in many diseased states. Several noninvasive tissue pH Magnetic Resonance (MR) techniques have been developed over the past few decades to shed light on pH change during tissue function and dysfunction. Nevertheless, there are still challenges for mapping brain pH noninvasively at high spatiotemporal resolution. To address this unmet biomedical need, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MR techniques have been developed as a sensitive means for non-invasive pH mapping. This article briefly reviews the basic principles of different pH measurement techniques with a focus on CEST imaging of pH. Emerging pH imaging applications in the tumor are provided as examples throughout the narrative, and CEST pH imaging in acute stroke is discussed in the final section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hahnsung Kim
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lisa C Krishnamurthy
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA, Decatur, GA, United States; Department of Physics & Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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Combination of Polyethylene Glycol-Conjugated Urokinase Nanogels and Urokinase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapeutic Implications. Transl Stroke Res 2020; 12:844-857. [DOI: 10.1007/s12975-020-00865-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Wu L, Jiang L, Sun PZ. Investigating the origin of pH-sensitive magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry MRI contrast during the acute stroke: Correction of T 1 change reveals the dominant amide proton transfer MRI signal. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:2702-2712. [PMID: 32416012 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Amide proton transfer (APT) MRI is promising to serve as a surrogate metabolic imaging biomarker of acute stroke. Although the magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry (MTRasym ) has been used commonly, the origin of pH-weighted MRI effect remains an area of investigation, including contributions from APT, semisolid MT contrast asymmetry, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement effects. Our study aimed to determine the origin of pH-weighted MTRasym contrast following acute stroke. METHODS Multiparametric MRI, including T1 , T2 , diffusion and Z-spectrum, were performed in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion. We analyzed the conventional Z-spectrum I Δ ω I 0 and the apparent exchange spectrum R ex Δ ω , being the difference between the relaxation-scaled inverse Z-spectrum and the intrinsic spinlock relaxation rate R 1 · cos 2 θ · I 0 I Δ ω - R 1 ρ Δ ω . The ischemia-induced change was calculated as the spectral difference between the diffusion lesion and the contralateral normal area. RESULTS The conventional Z-spectrum signal change at -3.5 ppm dominates that at +3.5 ppm (-1.16 ± 0.39% vs. 0.76 ± 0.26%, P < .01) following acute stroke. In comparison, the magnitude of ΔRex change at 3.5 ppm becomes significantly larger than that at -3.5 ppm (-2.80 ± 0.40% vs. -0.94 ± 0.80%, P < .001), with their SNR being 7.0 and 1.2, respectively. We extended the magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized APT concept to the apparent exchange-dependent relaxation image, documenting an enhanced pH contrast between the ischemic lesion and the intact tissue, over that of MTRasym . CONCLUSION Our study shows that after the relaxation-effect correction, the APT effect is the dominant contributing factor to pH-weighted MTRasym following acute stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liang Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwestern Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.,Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
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Sun PZ. Demonstration of magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized pH-specific pulse-amide proton transfer imaging in an animal model of acute stroke. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:1526-1533. [PMID: 32080897 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE pH-weighted amide proton transfer (APT) MRI is promising to serve as a new surrogate metabolic imaging biomarker for refined ischemic tissue demarcation. APT MRI with pulse-RF irradiation (pulse-APT) is an alternative to the routine continuous wave (CW-) APT MRI that overcomes the RF duty cycle limit. Our study aimed to generalize the recently developed pH-specific magnetization transfer and relaxation-normalized APT (MRAPT) analysis to pulse-APT MRI in acute stroke imaging. METHODS Multiparametric MRI, including CW- and pulse-APT MRI scans, were performed following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. We calculated pH-sensitive MTRasym and pH-specific MRAPT contrast between the ipsilateral diffusion lesion and contralateral normal area. RESULTS An inversion pulse of 10 to 15 ms maximizes the pH-sensitive MRI contrast for pulse-APT MRI. The contrast-to-noise ratio of pH-specific MRAPT effect between the contralateral normal area and ischemic lesion from both methods are comparable (3.25 ± 0.65 vs. 3.59 ± 0.40, P > .05). pH determined from both methods were in good agreement, with their difference within 0.1. CONCLUSIONS Pulse-APT MRI provides highly pH-specific mapping for acute stroke imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
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40
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Foo LS, Yap WS, Hum YC, Manan HA, Tee YK. Analysis of model-based and model-free CEST effect quantification methods for different medical applications. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2020; 310:106648. [PMID: 31760147 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2019.106648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) holds great potential to provide new metabolic information for clinical applications such as tumor, stroke and Parkinson's Disease diagnosis. Many active research and developments have been conducted to translate this emerging MRI technique for routine clinical applications. In general, there are two CEST quantification techniques: (i) model-free and (ii) model-based techniques. The reliability of these quantification techniques depends heavily on the experimental conditions and quality of the collected data. Errors such as noise may lead to misleading quantification results and thus inaccurate diagnosis when CEST imaging becomes a standard or routine imaging scan in the future. This paper investigates the accuracy and robustness of these quantification techniques under different signal-to-noise (SNR) levels and magnetic field strengths. The quantified CEST effect before and after adding random Gaussian White Noise using model-free and model-based quantification techniques were compared. It was found that the model-free technique consistently yielded larger average percentage error across all tested parameters compared to its model-based counterpart, and that the model-based technique could withstand SNR of about 3 times lower than the model-free technique. When applied on noisy brain tumor, ischemic stroke, and Parkinson's Disease clinical data, the model-free technique failed to produce significant differences between normal and abnormal tissue whereas the model-based technique consistently generated significant differences. Although the model-free technique was less accurate and robust, its simplicity and thus speed would still make it a good approximate when the SNR was high (>50) or when the CEST effect was large and well-defined. For more accurate CEST quantification, model-based techniques should be considered. When SNR was low (<50) and the CEST effect was small such as those acquired from clinical field strength scanners, which are generally 3T and below, model-based techniques should be considered over model-free counterpart to maintain an average percentage error of less than 44% even under very noisy condition as tested in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Sze Foo
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
| | - Wun-She Yap
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
| | - Yan Chai Hum
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
| | - Hanani Abdul Manan
- Department of Radiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Malaysia
| | - Yee Kai Tee
- Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia.
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Sun PZ. Fast correction of B 0 field inhomogeneity for pH-specific magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer imaging of acute ischemic stroke without Z-spectrum. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:1688-1697. [PMID: 31631414 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer (MRAPT) analysis is promising to provide a highly pH-specific mapping of tissue acidosis, complementing commonly used CEST asymmetry analysis. We aimed to develop a fast B0 inhomogeneity correction algorithm for acute stroke magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer imaging without Z-spectral interpolation. METHODS The proposed fast field inhomogeneity correction describes B0 artifacts with linear regression. We compared the new algorithm with the routine interpolation correction approach in CEST imaging of a dual-pH phantom. The fast B0 correction was further evaluated in amide proton transfer imaging of normal and acute stroke rats. RESULTS Our phantom data showed that the proposed fast B0 inhomogeneity correction significantly improved pH MRI contrast, recovering over 80% of the pH MRI contrast-to-noise-ratio difference between the raw magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry and that using the routine interpolation-based B0 correction approach. In normal rat brains, the proposed fast B0 correction improved pH-specific MRI uniformity across the intact tissue, with the ratio of magnetization transfer and relaxation normalized amide proton transfer ratio being 10% of that without B0 inhomogeneity correction. In acute stroke rats, fast B0 inhomogeneity-corrected pH MRI reveals substantially improved pH lesion conspicuity, particularly in regions with nonnegligible B0 inhomogeneity. The pH MRI contrast-to-noise ratio between the ipsilateral diffusion lesion and contralateral normal tissue improved significantly with fast B0 correction (from 1.88 ± 0.48 to 2.20 ± 0.44, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Our study established an expedient B0 inhomogeneity correction algorithm for fast pH imaging of acute ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Sun PZ. Development of intravoxel inhomogeneity correction for chemical exchange saturation transfer spectral imaging: a high-resolution field map-based deconvolution algorithm for magnetic field inhomogeneity correction. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:1348-1355. [PMID: 31628765 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE CEST MRI is sensitive to dilute proteins/peptides and microenvironmental properties yet susceptible to magnetic field inhomogeneity. We aimed to develop a high-resolution field map-based CEST intravoxel inhomogeneity correction (CIVIC) algorithm for CEST Z-spectral imaging. METHODS The proposed CIVIC approach treats the intravoxel inhomogeneity as a point spread function and applies the deconvolution algorithm to reconstruct the original Z-spectrum. We simulated the effect of B0 field inhomogeneity on CEST measurement and tested the efficacy of the proposed CIVIC algorithm. We also performed CEST MRI on a dual-pH Creatine-gel phantom under varied field homogeneity conditions and compared the CEST MRI contrast-to-noise ratio from the raw Z-spectrum, water saturation shift referencing, and the proposed CIVIC methods. RESULTS The numerical simulation showed that the CIVIC algorithm remains effective even in the case of symmetric field dispersion with a 0 mean shift. The experimental results confirmed that the proposed CIVIC method substantially improves the CEST MRI contrast-to-noise ratio under different field homogeneity conditions. CONCLUSION Our study established a new intravoxel B0 inhomogeneity correction algorithm, promising to facilitate CEST spectral imaging in challenging experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Zhe Sun
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Wang W, Mu S, Xu W, Liang S, Lin R, Li Z, Liu Q, Yi G, Xue L, Wang S. Establishment of a Rat Model of Superior Sagittal-Sinus Occlusion and Recanalization via a Thread-Embolism Method. Neuroscience 2019; 416:41-49. [PMID: 31377451 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
There are many uncontrollable factors in the pathogenesis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In order to further explore the pathophysiology and morphology of CVST, it is necessary to establish a highly compatible CVST animal model that can standardize the site and stage of venous thrombosis. The present study employed the insertion of a self-made thread embolism into the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) to establish a rat model of SSS occlusion that emulates CVST. The thread embolism was removed after 6 h of SSS occlusion in order to achieve recanalization. After successful preparation of the model, the cerebral blood flow (CBF) status and ultrastructural changes of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) were monitored. This CVST model was able to achieve continuously high occlusion of SSS. The parasagittal venous-collateral circulation underwent extensive compensation and recombination, which alleviated blood flow stasis and brain tissue hypoxia caused by restricted reflux. Removing SSS occlusion significantly improved cerebral circulation, reduced brain edema, and accelerated the receding of brain edema. This study established a new model of acute occlusion and recanalization of SSS in rats via a thread-embolism method, which standardized the ischemic site and stage of venous thrombosis. In addition, our study suggests that promoting collateral circulation may be a potential treatment for promoting brain protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China
| | - Shuwen Mu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongfang Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University(900 Hospital), Fuzhou 350025, PR China
| | - Weiming Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Hospital of Changle, Fuzhou 350200, PR China
| | - Shengxiang Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
| | - Ruhui Lin
- Fujian Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
| | - Zuanfang Li
- Fujian Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, PR China
| | - Qinghong Liu
- Department of Pathology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team, Fuzhou 350025, PR China
| | - Gaocheng Yi
- Department of Pathology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team, Fuzhou 350025, PR China
| | - Liang Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team, Fuzhou 350025, PR China
| | - Shousen Wang
- Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, PR China; Department of Neurosurgery, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team, Fuzhou 350025, PR China.
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