Hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe Lung MRI and Spectroscopy in Mechanically Ventilated Mice

Hyperpolarized (HP) xenon-129 (¹²⁹Xe) is an inhaled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent with unique spectral and physical properties that can be exploited to quantify pulmonary physiology, including ventilation, restricted diffusion (alveolar-airspace size), and gas exchange. In humans, it has been used to evaluate disease severity and progression in a variety of pulmonary disorders and is approved for clinical use in the United States and United Kingdom. Beyond its clinical applications, the ability of ¹²⁹Xe MRI to noninvasively assess pulmonary pathophysiology and provide spatially resolved information is valuable for preclinical research. Among animal models, mice are the most widely used due to the accessibility of genetically modified disease models. Here, ¹²⁹Xe MRI is promising as a minimally invasive, radiation-free, and sensitive technique to longitudinally monitor lung disease progression and therapy response (e.g., in drug discovery). This technique can extend to preclinical applications by incorporating an MRI-triggered, free-breathing apparatus or mechanical ventilator to deliver gas. Here, we describe the steps and provide checklists to ensure robust data collection and analysis, including creating a thermally polarized xenon gas phantom for quality control, optimizing polarization, animal handling (sedation, intubation, ventilation, and care for mice), and protocols for ventilation, restricted diffusion, and gas exchange data. While preclinical ¹²⁹Xe MRI can be applied in various animal models (e.g., rats, pigs, sheep), this protocol focuses on mice due to the challenges posed by their small anatomy, which are balanced by their affordability and the availability of many disease models.