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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
In vivo Imaging Method to Distinguish Acute and Chronic Inflammation
Published on: August 16, 2013
(1)H and hyperpolarized (3)He MR imaging of mouse with LPS-induced inflammation
Lars E Olsson1, Amir Smailagic, Per-Ola Onnervik
1DECS/Imaging, AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden. lars.e.olsson@astrazeneca.com
Purpose:
To evaluate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mouse with (1)H and hyperpolarized (HP) (3)He MR imaging.
Materials And Methods:
Axial slices of the lung volume were acquired with HP (3)He and (1)H MRI at 4, 24, and 48 h after LPS exposure. A quantitative ventilation index was calculated from two HP (3)He acquisitions. A bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for a cell count was performed following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Results:
The LPS exposure resulted in a significant increase of cells in BAL, with maximum at 48 h. Lesions on (3)He images were characterized by ventilation defects, whereas lesions on (1)H images were hyperintense and were attributed to edema. The number of lesions was at maximum at 48 h. At this time point, and for both (3)He and (1)H MRI, the volume of the lesions was significantly higher for LPS-exposed mice compared to controls. At 4, 24, and 48 h the ventilation index from the (3)He data was significantly smaller for the LPS-exposed animals compared to controls.
Conclusion:
The time point 48 h after LPS exposure was advantageous for MRI evaluation. Functional read-out with (3)He MRI seems to be more sensitive than conventional (1)H MRI.
Insights
Hyperpolarized helium-3 (3He) MRI detects lung changes in a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) earlier and more sensitively than conventional proton (1H) MRI, particularly at 48 hours post-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Medical Imaging
- Respiratory Diseases
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mouse models are crucial for understanding disease mechanisms.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure is a common method to induce COPD-like inflammation in mice.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive visualization of lung structures and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of (1)H and hyperpolarized (HP) (3)He MRI in evaluating the LPS-induced mouse model of COPD.
- To compare the sensitivity of (1)H and (3)He MRI in detecting lung abnormalities over time.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to LPS to model COPD.
- Lung imaging was performed using (1)H and HP (3)He MRI at 4, 24, and 48 hours post-exposure.
- Quantitative ventilation index was calculated from (3)He MRI, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell counts were obtained.
Main Results:
- LPS exposure significantly increased BAL cell counts, peaking at 48 hours.
- (3)He MRI revealed ventilation defects, while (1)H MRI showed hyperintense lesions indicative of edema.
- Both MRI techniques showed significantly larger lesion volumes in LPS-exposed mice at 48 hours.
- (3)He MRI demonstrated a significantly reduced ventilation index in LPS-exposed mice at all time points.
Conclusions:
- The 48-hour time point post-LPS exposure is optimal for MRI evaluation of this COPD model.
- (3)He MRI provides a more sensitive functional assessment of lung injury compared to conventional (1)H MRI.
