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Chen S, Zhuang D, Jia Q, Guo B, Hu G. Advances in Noninvasive Molecular Imaging Probes for Liver Fibrosis Diagnosis. Biomater Res 2024; 28:0042. [PMID: 38952717 PMCID: PMC11214848 DOI: 10.34133/bmr.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury, which may lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Early-stage fibrosis is reversible, and it is difficult to precisely diagnose with conventional imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and ultrasound imaging. In contrast, probe-assisted molecular imaging offers a promising noninvasive approach to visualize early fibrosis changes in vivo, thus facilitating early diagnosis and staging liver fibrosis, and even monitoring of the treatment response. Here, the most recent progress in molecular imaging technologies for liver fibrosis is updated. We start by illustrating pathogenesis for liver fibrosis, which includes capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, cellular and molecular processes involved in inflammation and fibrogenesis, as well as processes of collagen synthesis, oxidation, and cross-linking. Furthermore, the biological targets used in molecular imaging of liver fibrosis are summarized, which are composed of receptors on hepatic stellate cells, macrophages, and even liver collagen. Notably, the focus is on insights into the advances in imaging modalities developed for liver fibrosis diagnosis and the update in the corresponding contrast agents. In addition, challenges and opportunities for future research and clinical translation of the molecular imaging modalities and the contrast agents are pointed out. We hope that this review would serve as a guide for scientists and students who are interested in liver fibrosis imaging and treatment, and as well expedite the translation of molecular imaging technologies from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofang Chen
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Danping Zhuang
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingyun Jia
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Guo
- School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Carbon Materials Research and Comprehensive Application,
Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Genwen Hu
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College,
Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
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2
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Moore-Lotridge SN, Hajdu KS, Hou BQ, Gibson BHY, Schoenecker JG. Maintaining the balance: the critical role of plasmin activity in orthopedic surgery injury response. J Thromb Haemost 2023; 21:2653-2665. [PMID: 37558131 PMCID: PMC10926148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.08.002] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The musculoskeletal system plays vital roles in the body, facilitating movement, protecting vital structures, and regulating hematopoiesis and mineral metabolism. Injuries to this system are common and can cause chronic pain, loss of range of motion, and disability. The acute phase response (APR) is a complex process necessary for surviving and repairing injured musculoskeletal tissue. To conceptualize the APR, it is useful to divide it into 2 distinct phases, survival and repair. During the survival-APR, a "damage matrix" primarily composed of fibrin, via thrombin activity, is produced to contain the zone of injury. Once containment is achieved, the APR transitions to the repair phase, where reparative inflammatory cells use plasmin to systematically remove the damage matrix and replace it with new permanent matrices produced by differentiated mesenchymal stem cells. The timing of thrombin and plasmin activation during their respective APR phases is crucial for appropriate regulation of the damage matrix. This review focuses on evidence indicating that inappropriate exuberant activation of plasmin during the survival-APR can result in an overactive APR, leading to an "immunocoagulopathy" that may cause "immunothrombosis" and death. Conversely, preclinical data suggest that too little plasmin activity during the repair-APR may contribute to failed tissue repair, such as a fracture nonunion, and chronic inflammatory degenerative diseases like osteoporosis. Future clinical studies are required to affirm these findings. Therefore, the temporal-spatial functions of plasmin in response to musculoskeletal injury and its pharmacologic manipulation are intriguing new targets for improving orthopedic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Moore-Lotridge
- Department of Orthopaedics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katherine S Hajdu
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Brian Q Hou
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Breanne H Y Gibson
- Department of Orthopaedics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jonathan G Schoenecker
- Department of Orthopaedics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Center for Bone Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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Talebloo N, Bernal MAO, Kenyon E, Mallett CL, Fazleabas A, Moore A. Detection of Endometriosis Lesions Using Gd-Based Collagen I Targeting Probe in Murine Models of Endometriosis. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:833-843. [PMID: 37418136 PMCID: PMC10598151 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01833-6] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Endometriosis is a chronic condition characterized by high fibrotic content and affecting about 10% of women during their reproductive years. Yet, no clinically approved agents are available for non-invasive endometriosis detection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of a gadolinium-based collagen type I targeting probe (EP-3533) to non-invasively detect endometriotic lesions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Previously, this probe has been used for detection and staging of fibrotic lesions in the liver, lung, heart, and cancer. In this study we evaluate the potential of EP-3533 for detecting endometriosis in two murine models and compare it with a non-binding isomer (EP-3612). PROCEDURES For imaging, we utilized two GFP-expressing murine models of endometriosis (suture model and injection model) injected intravenously with EP3533 or EP-33612. Mice were imaged before and after bolus injection of the probes. The dynamic signal enhancement of MR T1 FLASH images was analyzed, normalized, and quantified, and the relative location of lesions was validated through ex vivo fluorescence imaging. Subsequently, the harvested lesions were stained for collagen, and their gadolinium content was quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). RESULTS We showed that EP-3533 probe increased the signal intensity in T1-weighted images of endometriotic lesions in both models of endometriosis. Such enhancement was not detected in the muscles of the same groups or in endometriotic lesions of mice injected with EP-3612 probe. Consequentially, control tissues had significantly lower gadolinium content, compared to the lesions in experimental groups. Probe accumulation was similar in endometriotic lesions of either model. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for feasibility of targeting collagen type I in the endometriotic lesions using EP3533 probe. Our future work includes investigation of the utility of this probe for therapeutic delivery in endometriosis to inhibit signaling pathways that cause the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Talebloo
- Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michigan State University, 578 S Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Maria Ariadna Ochoa Bernal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, 400 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, 474 S Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kenyon
- Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Radiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Christiane L Mallett
- Department of Radiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, 775 Woodlot Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Asgerally Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, 400 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Anna Moore
- Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, 766 Service Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
- Department of Radiology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
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Jordan VC, Sojoodi M, Shroff S, Pagan PG, Barrett SC, Wellen J, Tanabe KK, Chung RT, Caravan P, Gale EM. Molecular magnetic resonance imaging of liver inflammation using an oxidatively activated probe. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100850. [PMID: 37818152 PMCID: PMC10561122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Many liver diseases are driven by inflammation, but imaging to non-invasively diagnose and quantify liver inflammation has been underdeveloped. The inflammatory liver microenvironment is aberrantly oxidising owing in part to reactive oxygen species generated by myeloid leucocytes. We hypothesised that magnetic resonance imaging using the oxidatively activated probe Fe-PyC3A will provide a non-invasive biomarker of liver inflammation. Methods A mouse model of drug-induced liver injury was generated through intraperitoneal injection of a hepatoxic dose of acetaminophen. A mouse model of steatohepatitis was generated via a choline-deficient, l-amino acid defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD). Images were acquired dynamically before and after intravenous injection of Fe-PyC3A. The contrast agent gadoterate meglumine was used as a non-oxidatively activated negative control probe in mice fed CDAHFD. The (post-pre) Fe-PyC3A injection change in liver vs. muscle contrast-to-noise ratio (ΔCNR) recorded 2 min post-injection was correlated with liver function test values, histologic scoring assigned using the NASH Clinical Research Network criteria, and intrahepatic myeloid leucocyte composition determined by flow cytometry. Results For mice receiving i.p. injections of acetaminophen, intrahepatic neutrophil composition correlated poorly with liver test values but positively and significantly with ΔCNR (r = 0.64, p <0.0001). For mice fed CDAHFD, ΔCNR generated by Fe-PyC3A in the left lobe was significantly greater in mice meeting histologic criteria strongly associated with a diagnosis NASH compared to mice where histology was consistent with likely non-NASH (p = 0.0001), whereas no differential effect was observed using gadoterate meglumine. In mice fed CDAHFD, ΔCNR did not correlate strongly with fractional composition of any specific myeloid cell subpopulation as determined by flow cytometry. Conclusions Magnetic resonance imaging using Fe-PyC3A merits further evaluation as a non-invasive biomarker for liver inflammation. Impact and implications Non-invasive tests to diagnose and measure liver inflammation are underdeveloped. Inflammatory cells such as neutrophils release reactive oxygen species which creates an inflammatory liver microenvironment that can drive chemical oxidation. We recently invented a new class of magnetic resonance imaging probe that is made visible to the scanner only after chemical oxidation. Here, we demonstrate how this imaging technology could be applied as a non-invasive biomarker for liver inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Clavijo Jordan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mozhdeh Sojoodi
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stuti Shroff
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia Gonzalez Pagan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen Cole Barrett
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Kenneth K. Tanabe
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Raymond T. Chung
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Caravan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric M. Gale
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Automated whole slide image analysis for a translational quantification of liver fibrosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17935. [PMID: 36333365 PMCID: PMC9636208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22902-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Current literature highlights the need for precise histological quantitative assessment of fibrosis which cannot be achieved by conventional scoring systems, inherent to their discontinuous values and reader-dependent variability. Here we used an automated image analysis software to measure fibrosis deposition in two relevant preclinical models of liver fibrosis, and established correlation with other quantitative fibrosis descriptors. Longitudinal quantification of liver fibrosis was carried out during progression of post-necrotic (CCl4-induced) and metabolic (HF-CDAA feeding) models of chronic liver disease in mice. Whole slide images of picrosirius red-stained liver sections were analyzed using a fully automated, unsupervised software. Fibrosis was characterized by a significant increase of collagen proportionate area (CPA) at weeks 3 (CCl4) and 8 (HF-CDAA) with a progressive increase up to week 18 and 24, respectively. CPA was compared to collagen content assessed biochemically by hydroxyproline assay (HYP) and by standard histological staging systems. CPA showed a high correlation with HYP content for CCl4 (r = 0.8268) and HF-CDAA (r = 0.6799) models. High correlations were also found with Ishak score or its modified version (r = 0.9705) for CCl4 and HF-CDAA (r = 0.9062) as well as with NASH CRN for HF-CDAA (r = 0.7937). Such correlations support the use of automated digital analysis as a reliable tool to evaluate the dynamics of liver fibrosis and efficacy of antifibrotic drug candidates in preclinical models.
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Li Y, Gao S, Jiang H, Ayat N, Laney V, Nicolescu C, Sun W, Tweedle MF, Lu ZR. Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties, Pharmacokinetics, Biodistribution, Toxicity, and Contrast-Enhanced Cancer MRI of a Cancer-Targeting Contrast Agent, MT218. Invest Radiol 2022; 57:639-654. [PMID: 35703463 PMCID: PMC9444296 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preclinical assessments were performed according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines to determine the physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, clearance, safety, and tumor-specific magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of MT218, a peptidic gadolinium-based MR imaging agent targeting to extradomain B fibronectin for MR molecular imaging of aggressive tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Relaxivity, chelation stability, binding affinity, safety-related target profiling, and effects on CYP450 enzymes and transporters were evaluated in vitro. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed with rats bearing prostate cancer xenografts, immunocompetent mice bearing murine pancreatic cancer allografts, and mice bearing lung cancer xenografts at different doses of MT218. Pharmacological effects on cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems were determined in rats and conscious beagle dogs. Pharmacokinetics were tested in rats and dogs. Biodistribution and excretion were studied in rats. Single and repeated dosing toxicity was evaluated in rats and dogs. In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity, in vitro hemolysis, and anaphylactic reactivity were also performed. RESULTS At 1.4 T, the r1 and r2 relaxivities of MT218 were 5.43 and 7.40 mM -1 s -1 in pure water, 6.58 and 8.87 mM -1 s -1 in phosphate-buffered saline, and 6.54 and 8.70 mM -1 s -1 in aqueous solution of human serum albumin, respectively. The binding affinity of MT218 to extradomain B fragment is 3.45 μM. MT218 exhibited no dissociation of the Gd(III) chelates under physiological conditions. The peptide degradation half-life ( t1/2 ) of MT218 was 1.63, 5.85, and 2.63 hours in rat, dog, and human plasma, respectively. It had little effect on CYP450 enzymes and transporters. MT218 produced up to 7-fold increase of contrast-to-noise ratios in the extradomain B fibronectin-rich tumors with a dose of 0.04 mmol/kg for at least 30 minutes. MT218 had little pharmacological effect on central nervous, cardiovascular, or respiratory systems. MT218 had a mean plasma elimination half-life ( t1/2 ) of 0.31 and 0.89 hours in rats and dogs at 0.1 mmol/kg, respectively. No detectable Gd deposition was observed in the brain at 6 hours postinjection of MT218 at 0.1 mmol/kg in rats. MT218 was not mutagenic and had no mortality or morbidity in the rats or dogs up to 1.39 and 0.70 mmol/kg/d, respectively. The no observed adverse effect level of MT218 in Sprague-Dawley rats was 1.39 mmol/kg for single dosing and 0.46 mmol/kg/d for repeated dosing. The no observed adverse effect level in dogs was 0.07 mmol/kg/d. MT218 exhibited no genotoxicity, hemolysis, and anaphylactic reactivity. CONCLUSION The preclinical assessments showed that the targeted contrast agent MT218 has high r1 and r2 relaxivities, satisfactory physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetic, and safety profiles and produces effective tumor enhancement in multiple cancer types in rats and mice at reduced doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Li
- From the Molecular Theranostics, LLC, Cleveland
| | - Songqi Gao
- From the Molecular Theranostics, LLC, Cleveland
| | | | - Nadia Ayat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
| | - Victoria Laney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
| | - Calin Nicolescu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
| | - Wenyu Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
| | - Michael F. Tweedle
- Wright Center of Innovation, Department of Radiology, the Ohio State University, Columbus
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Lohmeier J, Silva RV, Tietze A, Taupitz M, Kaneko T, Prüss H, Paul F, Infante-Duarte C, Hamm B, Caravan P, Makowski MR. Fibrin-targeting molecular MRI in inflammatory CNS disorders. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:3692-3704. [PMID: 35507058 PMCID: PMC9399196 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05807-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrin deposition is a fundamental pathophysiological event in the inflammatory component of various CNS disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease. Beyond its traditional role in coagulation, fibrin elicits immunoinflammatory changes with oxidative stress response and activation of CNS-resident/peripheral immune cells contributing to CNS injury. PURPOSE To investigate if CNS fibrin deposition can be determined using molecular MRI, and to assess its capacity as a non-invasive imaging biomarker that corresponds to inflammatory response and barrier impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Specificity and efficacy of a peptide-conjugated Gd-based molecular MRI probe (EP2104-R) to visualise and quantify CNS fibrin deposition were evaluated. Probe efficacy to specifically target CNS fibrin deposition in murine adoptive-transfer experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a pre-clinical model for MS (n = 12), was assessed. Findings were validated using immunohistochemistry and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Deposition of fibrin in neuroinflammatory conditions was investigated and its diagnostic capacity for disease staging and monitoring as well as quantification of immunoinflammatory response was determined. Results were compared using t-tests (two groups) or one-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons test. Linear regression was used to model the relationship between variables. RESULTS For the first time (to our knowledge), CNS fibrin deposition was visualised and quantified in vivo using molecular imaging. Signal enhancement was apparent in EAE lesions even 12-h after administration of EP2104-R due to targeted binding (M ± SD, 1.07 ± 0.10 (baseline) vs. 0.73 ± 0.09 (EP2104-R), p = .008), which could be inhibited with an MRI-silent analogue (M ± SD, 0.60 ± 0.14 (EP2104-R) vs. 0.96 ± 0.13 (EP2104-La), p = .006). CNS fibrin deposition corresponded to immunoinflammatory activity (R2 = 0.85, p < .001) and disability (R2 = 0.81, p < .001) in a model for MS, which suggests a clinical role for staging and monitoring. Additionally, EP2104-R showed substantially higher SNR (M ± SD, 6.6 ± 1 (EP2104-R) vs. 2.7 ± 0.4 (gadobutrol), p = .004) than clinically used contrast media, which increases sensitivity for lesion detection. CONCLUSIONS Molecular imaging of CNS fibrin deposition provides an imaging biomarker for inflammatory CNS pathology, which corresponds to pathophysiological ECM remodelling and disease activity, and yields high signal-to-noise ratio, which can improve diagnostic neuroimaging across several neurological diseases with variable degrees of barrier impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Lohmeier
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Rafaela V Silva
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Tietze
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Taupitz
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Takaaki Kaneko
- Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan
| | - Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM) and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friedemann Paul
- NeuroCure Clinical Research Center and Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Infante-Duarte
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Hamm
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Caravan
- A. A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2301, Charlestown, MB, 02129, USA
| | - Marcus R Makowski
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, München, Germany
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dos Santos Ferreira D, Arora G, Gieseck RL, Rotile NJ, Waghorn PA, Tanabe KK, Wynn TA, Caravan P, Fuchs BC. Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis Is Not Altered by Inflammation. Invest Radiol 2021; 56:244-251. [PMID: 33109919 PMCID: PMC7956154 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
METHODS Three groups of mice that develop either mild type 2 inflammation and fibrosis (wild type), severe fibrosis with exacerbated type 2 inflammation (Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/-), or minimal fibrosis with marked type 1 inflammation (Il4ra∂/∂) after infection with S. mansoni were imaged using both probes for determination of signal enhancement. Schistosoma mansoni-infected wild-type mice developed chronic liver fibrosis. RESULTS The liver MR signal enhancement after either probe administration was significantly higher in S. mansoni-infected wild-type mice compared with naive animals. The S. mansoni-infected Il4ra∂/∂ mice presented with little liver signal enhancement after probe injection despite the presence of substantial inflammation. Schistosoma mansoni-infected Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/- mice presented with marked fibrosis, which correlated to increased signal enhancement after injection of either probe. CONCLUSIONS Both MR probes, EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd, were specific for fibrosis in this model of chronic liver disease regardless of the presence or severity of the underlying inflammation. These results, in addition to previous findings, show the potential application of both molecular MR probes for detection and quantification of fibrosis from various etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego dos Santos Ferreira
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129 USA
| | - Gunisha Arora
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Richard L. Gieseck
- Laboratory of Parasitic Disease, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 5601 Fishers Ln, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Nicholas J. Rotile
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129 USA
| | - Philip A. Waghorn
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129 USA
| | - Kenneth K. Tanabe
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
| | - Thomas A. Wynn
- Laboratory of Parasitic Disease, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 5601 Fishers Ln, Bethesda, MD, 20892, United States
| | - Peter Caravan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129 USA
- The Institute for Innovation in Imaging (i), Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129 USA
| | - Bryan C. Fuchs
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 USA
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Koudrina A, McConnell EM, Zurakowski JA, Cron GO, Chen S, Tsai EC, DeRosa MC. Exploring the Unique Contrast Properties of Aptamer-Gadolinium Conjugates in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Targeted Imaging of Thrombi. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:9412-9424. [PMID: 33395250 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c16666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective: An important clinical question in the determination of the extent of thrombosis-related vascular conditions is the identification of blood clot location. Fibrin is a major molecular constituent of blood clots and can, therefore, be utilized in molecular imaging. In this proof-of-concept study, we sought to prepare a fibrin-targeting magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, using a Gd(III)-loaded fibrinogen aptamer (FA) chelate conjugate (Gd(III)-NOTA-FA) (NOTA = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid), to endow the ability to specifically accumulate at the location of blood clots, thereby enhancing contrast capabilities. Methods: The binding affinity of FA for fibrin was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and microscale thermophoresis. The preparation and effective loading of the chelate-aptamer conjugates were confirmed by mass spectrometry and a xylenol orange colorimetric test. Longitudinal and transverse relaxivities and the effects of target binding were assessed using T1- and T2-map sequences at 7 T. T1- and T2-weighted images were acquired after blood clots were treated with Gd(III)-NOTA-FA. Collagen was used as the protein control, while an unrelated aptamer sequence, FB139, was used as the aptamer control. Results: FA demonstrated a high affinity and selectivity toward the polymeric protein, with a Kd of 16.6 nM, confirming an avidity over fibrinogen. The longitudinal (r1) and transverse (r2) relaxivities of Gd(III)-NOTA-FA demonstrated that conjugation to the long aptamer strand shortened T1 relaxation times and increased T2 relaxation times (3.04 and 38.7 mM-1 s-1, respectively). These effects were amplified by binding to the fibrin target (1.73 and 46.5 mM-1 s-1, respectively). In vitro studies with thrombin-polymerized human blood (clots) in whole blood showed an unexpected enhancement of signal intensity (hyperintense) produced exclusively at the location of the clot during the T2-weighted scan, while the presence of fibrinogen within a whole blood pool resulted in T1 signal intensity enhancement throughout the pool. This is advantageous, as simply reversing the type of a scan from a typical T1-weighted to a T2-weighted would allow to selectively highlight the location of blood clots. Conclusions: Gd(III)-NOTA-FA can be used for molecular imaging of thrombi, through fibrin-targeted delivery of contrast to the location of blood clots in T2-weighted scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Koudrina
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Erin M McConnell
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Joseph A Zurakowski
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Greg O Cron
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Suzan Chen
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Eve C Tsai
- The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
| | - Maria C DeRosa
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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Zhou IY, Montesi SB, Akam EA, Caravan P. Molecular Imaging of Fibrosis. Mol Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-816386-3.00077-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Abstract
Molecular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging utilizes molecular probes to provide added biochemical or cellular information to what can already be achieved with anatomical and functional MR imaging. This review provides an overview of molecular MR and focuses specifically on molecular MR contrast agents that provide contrast by shortening the T1 time. We describe the requirements for a successful molecular MR contrast agent and the challenges for clinical translation. The review highlights work from the last 5 years and places an emphasis on new contrast agents that have been validated in multiple preclinical models. Applications of molecular MR include imaging of inflammation, fibrosis, fibrogenesis, thromboembolic disease, and cancers. Molecular MR is positioned to move beyond detection of disease to the quantitative staging of disease and measurement of treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Caravan
- The Institute for Innovation in Imaging, A. A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
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12
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Zhou IY, Tanabe KK, Fuchs BC, Caravan P. Collagen-targeted molecular imaging in diffuse liver diseases. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:3545-3556. [PMID: 32737546 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02677-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common pathway shared by all progressive chronic liver diseases (CLD) regardless of the underlying etiologies. With liver biopsy being the gold standard in assessing fibrosis degree, there is a large unmet clinical need to develop non-invasive imaging tools that can directly and repeatedly quantify fibrosis throughout the liver for a more accurate assessment of disease burden, progression, and treatment response. Type I collagen is a particularly attractive target for molecular imaging as its excessive deposition is specific to fibrosis, and it is present in concentrations suitable for many imaging modalities. Novel molecular MRI contrast agents designed to bind with collagen provide direct quantification of collagen deposition, which have been validated across animal species and liver injury models. Collagen-targeted molecular imaging probes hold great promise not only as a tool for initial staging and surveillance of fibrosis progression, but also as a marker of fibrosis regression in drug trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Y Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 149 13th St, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
- Institute for Innovation in Imaging (i3), Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth K Tanabe
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Peter Caravan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, 149 13th St, Boston, MA, 02129, USA.
- Institute for Innovation in Imaging (i3), Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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13
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Zhou IY, Catalano OA, Caravan P. Advances in functional and molecular MRI technologies in chronic liver diseases. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1241-1254. [PMID: 32585160 PMCID: PMC7572718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
MRI has emerged as the most comprehensive non-invasive diagnostic tool for liver diseases. In recent years, the value of MRI in hepatology has been significantly enhanced by a wide range of contrast agents, both clinically available and under development, that add functional information to anatomically detailed morphological images, or increase the distinction between normal and pathological tissues by targeting molecular and cellular events. Several classes of contrast agents are available for contrast-enhanced hepatic MRI, including i) conventional non-specific extracellular fluid contrast agents for assessing tissue perfusion; ii) hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents that are taken up by functioning hepatocytes and excreted through the biliary system for evaluating hepatobiliary function; iii) superparamagnetic iron oxide particles that accumulate in Kupffer cells; and iv) novel molecular contrast agents that are biochemically targeted to specific molecular/cellular processes for staging liver diseases or detecting treatment responses. The use of different functional and molecular MRI methods enables the non-invasive assessment of disease burden, progression, and treatment response in a variety of liver diseases. A high diagnostic performance can be achieved with MRI by combining imaging biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Y. Zhou
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Institute for Innovation in Imaging (i3), Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Onofrio A. Catalano
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Peter Caravan
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Institute for Innovation in Imaging (i(3)), Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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