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Functional MR microimaging of pancreatic beta-cell activation
Barjor Gimi1, Lara Leoni, Jose Oberholzer
1Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Cell Transplantation
|May 25, 2006
Summary
Manganese-enhanced MRI visualizes beta-cell function by tracking manganese uptake in glucose-activated cells. This technique shows promise for noninvasively assessing islet function and beta-cell mass in diabetes research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus incidence is rising, necessitating better understanding of beta-cell function.
- Current methods to assess beta-cell mass and function lack noninvasive capabilities.
- Developing novel imaging techniques is crucial for diabetes diagnostics and therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) as a tool for imaging beta-cell functionality.
- To establish a link between beta-cell activation and MRI contrast enhancement in vitro.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of manganese at concentrations used for imaging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized MEMRI to image beta-cell functionality in cell culture and isolated islets.
- Measured MRI contrast enhancement in response to glucose stimulation.
- Assessed the effect of manganese on calcium influx, glucose sensitivity, and insulin secretion.
Main Results:
- Glucose-activated beta-cells showed a 200% increase in MRI contrast enhancement due to manganese uptake.
- Glucose-activated islets exhibited up to a 45% increase in MRI contrast.
- Low manganese concentrations (below 100 microM) did not significantly affect glucose-stimulated calcium influx, glucose sensitivity, or insulin secretion.
Conclusions:
- MEMRI demonstrates a correlation between contrast enhancement and beta-cell activation in vitro.
- Manganese is a viable contrast agent for imaging islet function without compromising cell viability or function.
- This study provides a foundation for future noninvasive in vivo imaging of islet functionality and beta-cell mass.
