<em>In vivo</em> <sup>19</sup>F MRI for Cell Tracking

In vivo 19F MRI allows quantitative cell tracking without the use of ionizing radiation. It is a noninvasive technique that can be applied to humans. ...

endovascular-perforation-model-for-subarachnoid-hemorrhage-combined

Endovascular Perforation Model for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

The endovascular filament perforation model to mimic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a commonly used model - however, the technique can cause a high ...

Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising tool for monitoring stem cell-based therapy. Conventionally, cells loaded with ironoxide nanoparticles appear hypointense on MR images. However, the contrast generated by ironoxide labeled cells is neither specific due to ambiguous background nor quantitative. A strategy to overcome these drawbacks is (19)F MRI of cells labeled with perfluorocarbons. We show here for the first time that human neural stem cells (NSCs), a promising candidate for clinical translation of stem cell-based therapy of the brain, can be labeled with (19)F as well as detected and quantified in vitro and after brain implantation.

In vivo tracking of human neural stem cells with 19F magnetic resonance imaging.

Noninvasive in vivo cell tracking is crucial to fully understand the function of mobile and/or transplanted cells, particularly immune cells and cellular therapeutics. (19)F MRI for cell tracking has several advantages; chief among them are its noninvasive nature which allows longitudinal data acquisition, use of a stable, non-radioactive isotope permitting long-term tracking, the absence of confounding endogenous signal, and the ability to quantify cell numbers from image data. However, generation of sufficient signal i.e. (19)F cell loading is a key challenge, particularly with non-phagocytic cells such as lymphocytes and stem cells. A range of (19)F cell labels have been developed, including emulsions, particles, polymers, and agents for clinical use. Various animal and primary human cells, such as dendritic cells, lymphocytes and phagocytes have been successfully labeled and studied in models of autoimmune disease, inflammation and transplant rejection. Primary human cells, particularly dendritic cells as used in vaccine therapy have been tested for imminent clinical application. Here, we summarize current cell loading strategies and sensitivity of in vivo cell imaging with (19)F MRI, and discuss the processing of image data for accurate quantification of cell numbers. This novel technology is uniquely applicable to the longitudinal and quantitative tracking of cells in vivo.

Labeling cells for in vivo tracking using (19)F MRI.

During stroke, the reduction of blood flow leads to undersupply of oxygen and nutrients and, finally, to cell death, but also to upregulation of pro-angiogenic molecules and vascular remodeling. However, the temporal profile of vascular changes after stroke is still poorly understood. Here, we optimized steady-state contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SSCE MRI) and followed the dynamic changes in vascular architecture for up to 4 weeks after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Using MRI diffusion measurements and the changes of transversal relaxation rates ΔR2 and ΔR2* after injection of a superparamagnetic contrast agent, SSCE MRI provided several hemodynamic parameters: relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), rCBV in small vessels, microvascular density, and relative vessel size. Six rats underwent SSCE MRI before MCAO and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after surgery. 5-Bromo-2'deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected between days 2 and 7 to label proliferating cells during this time. SSCE MRI depicted a decrease in microvessel density and an increase in vessel size in the ischemic striatum after stroke. A persistently decreased MRI vessel density was confirmed with histology at 28 days. BrdU + endothelial cells were found in regions close to the infarct indicating endothelial cell proliferation during the first week after MCAO; however, late-stage angiogenesis, as would be reflected by increased vessel density, was not detected. The optimized SSCE MRI protocol was used to follow spatio-temporal changes of important vessel characteristics, which may contribute to a better understanding of the role of angiogenesis at different stages after stroke.

Vascular changes after stroke in the rat: a longitudinal study using optimized magnetic resonance imaging.

Angiogenesis is a key event in the progression of glioblastomas (GBM). Our goal was to measure different anatomical and physiological parameters of GBM vessels using steady-state contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SSCE-MRI), together with the assessment of biochemical parameters on GBM proliferation and angiogenesis using [(11)C]methyl-L-methionine (MET) and 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluorothymidine (FLT) and positron emission tomography (PET). We focused on how these anatomical and biochemical read-outs correlate with one another and with immunohistochemistry.

Non-invasive imaging of glioma vessel size and densities in correlation with tumour cell proliferation by small animal PET and MRI.

Dietary deficiencies in folic acid result in elevated levels of plasma homocysteine, which has been associated with the development of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. Previously, we have shown that elevated levels of plasma homocysteine in mice deficient for a DNA repair enzyme, uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG), result in neurodegeneration. The goal of this study was to evaluate how deficiencies in folic acid and UNG along with elevated levels of homocysteine affect vascular cognitive impairment, via chronic hypoperfursion in an animal model. Ung(+/+) and Ung(-/-) mice were placed on either control (CD) or folic acid deficient (FADD) diets. Six weeks later, the mice either underwent implantation of microcoils around both common carotid arteries. Post-operatively, behavioral tests began at 3-weeks, angiography was measured after 5-weeks using MRI to assess vasculature and at completion of study plasma and brain tissue was collected for analysis. Learning impairments in the Morris water maze (MWM) were observed only in hypoperfused Ung(-/-) FADD mice and these mice had significantly higher plasma homocysteine concentrations. Interestingly, Ung(+/+) FADD produced significant remodeling of the basilar artery and arterial vasculature. Increased expression of GFAP was observed in the dentate gyrus of Ung(-/-) hypoperfused and FADD sham mice. Chronic hypoperfusion resulted in increased cortical MMP-9 protein levels of FADD hypoperfused mice regardless of genotypes. These results suggest that elevated levels of homocysteine only, as a result of dietary folic acid deficiency, don't lead to memory impairments and neurobiochemical changes. Rather a combination of either chronic hypoperfusion or UNG deficiency is required.

Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine, deficiencies in dietary folic acid and uracil-DNA glycosylase impair learning in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment.

Folates are B-vitamins that are vital for normal brain function. Deficiencies in folates either genetic (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, MTHFR) or dietary intake of folic acid result in elevated levels of homocysteine. Clinical studies have shown that elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) may be associated with the development of dementia, however this link remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of increased Hcy levels on a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) produced by chronic hypoperfusion. Male and female Mthfr and Mthfr mice were placed on either control (CD) or folic acid deficient (FADD) diets after which all animals underwent microcoil implantation around each common carotid artery or a sham procedure. Post-operatively animals were tested on the Morris water maze (MWM), y-maze, and rotarod. Animals had no motor impairments on the rotarod, y-maze, and could learn the location of the platform on the MWM. However, on day 8 of testing of MWM testing during the probe trial, Mthfr FADD microcoil mice spent significantly less time in the target quadrant when compared to Mthfr CD sham mice, suggesting impaired reference memory. All FADD mice had elevated levels of plasma homocysteine. MRI analysis revealed arterial remodeling was present in Mthfr microcoil mice not Mthfr mice. Acetylcholine and related metabolites were reduced in cortical tissue because of microcoil implantation and elevated levels of homocysteine. Deficiencies in folate metabolism resulting in increased Hcy levels yield a metabolic profile that increases susceptibility to neurodegeneration in a mouse model of VCI.

Increased homocysteine levels impair reference memory and reduce cortical levels of acetylcholine in a mouse model of vascular cognitive impairment.

Brain atlases play a key role in modern neuroimaging analysis of brain structure and function. We review available atlas databases for humans and animals and illustrate common state-of-the-art workflows in neuroimaging research based on image registration. Advances in noninvasive imaging methods, 3D ex vivo microscopy, and image processing are summarized which will eventually close the current resolution gap between brain atlases based on conventional 2D histology and those based on 3D in vivo imaging.

On the Usage of Brain Atlases in Neuroimaging Research.

Placental hypoperfusion and hypoxia are key drivers in complications during fetal development such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. In order to study the mechanisms of disease in mouse models, the development of quantitative biomarkers of placental hypoxia is a prerequisite. The goal of this exploratory study was to establish a technique to noninvasively characterize placental partial pressure of oxygen (PO) in vivo in the Lgals1 (lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 1) deficient mouse model of preeclampsia using fluorine magnetic resonance imaging. We hypothesized a decrease in placental oxygenation in knockout mice. Wildtype and knockout animals received fluorescently labeled perfluoro-5-crown-15-ether nanoemulsion i.v. on day E14-15 during pregnancy. Placental PO was assessed via calibrated F MRI saturation recovery T mapping. A gas challenge with varying levels of oxygen in breathing air (30%, 60% and 100% O) was used to validate that changes in oxygenation can be detected in freely breathing, anesthetized animals. At the end of the experiment, fluorophore-coupled lectin was injected i.v. to label the vasculature for histology. Differences in PO between breathing conditions and genotype were statistically analyzed with linear mixed-effects modeling. As expected, a significant increase in PO with increasing oxygen in breathing air was found. PO in Lgals1 knockout animals was decreased but this effect was only present at 30% oxygen in breathing air, not at 60% and 100%. Histological examinations showed crossing of the perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion to the fetal blood pool but the dominating contribution of F MR signal is estimated at > 70% from maternal plasma based on volume fraction measurements of previous studies. These results show for the first time that F MRI can characterize oxygenation in mouse models of placental malfunction.

Philipp Boehm-Sturm

In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory

Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research

In vivo ¹⁹F MRI for Cell Tracking

Endovascular Perforation Model for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Philipp Boehm-Sturm

In-Vivo-NMR Laboratory

Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research

In vivo 19F MRI for Cell Tracking

Endovascular Perforation Model for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

In vivo ¹⁹F MRI for Cell Tracking