Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Phase-Resolved Functional Lung MRI for Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion (V/Q) Assessment
Published on: August 9, 2024
Early assessment of pulmonary inflammation by 19F MRI in vivo
Bernd Ebner1, Patrick Behm, Christoph Jacoby
1Institut für Herz- und Kreislaufphysiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Background:
Emulsified perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are preferentially phagocytized by monocytes/macrophages and are readily detected by (19)F MRI. This study tests the hypothesis that (19)F MRI can be used to quantitate pulmonary inflammation by tracking of infiltrating PFC-loaded monocytes.
Methods And Results:
Pneumonia was induced in mice by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) followed by intravenous injection of PFCs. Whereas regular (1)H MRI provided no evidence of lung injury 24 hours after LPS, the concurrent (19)F images clearly show PFC accumulation in both pulmonary lobes. Imaging at 48 hours after LPS revealed signals in (1)H images at the same location as the 24-hour (19)F signals. Thus, progressive pneumonia was first predicted by (19)F MRI early after PFC administration. Without LPS, at no time were (19)F signals observed within the lung. Histology and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) combined with (19)F MRI confirmed the presence of infiltrating PFC-loaded monocytes/macrophages after LPS challenge. Additional experiments with graded doses of LPS demonstrated that (19)F signal intensity strongly correlated with both LPS dose and pathological markers of lung inflammation. In separate studies, dexamethasone and CGS21680 (adenosine 2A receptor agonist) were used to demonstrate the ability of (19)F MRI to monitor anti-inflammatory therapies.
Conclusions:
PFCs serve as a contrast agent for the prognostic and quantitative assessment of pulmonary inflammation by in vivo (19)F MRI, which is characterized by a high degree of specificity due to the lack of any (19)F background. Because PFCs are biochemically inert, this approach may also be suitable for human applications.
Insights
Fluorine-19 MRI (19F MRI) can quantify lung inflammation by tracking perfluorocarbon (PFC) loaded monocytes. This method predicts pneumonia progression and monitors anti-inflammatory treatments, showing high specificity due to no background fluorine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Inflammation Research
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Emulsified perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are phagocytized by monocytes/macrophages.
- These PFCs are detectable using 19F MRI.
- Pulmonary inflammation assessment is crucial for disease monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that 19F MRI can quantify pulmonary inflammation.
- To track infiltrating PFC-loaded monocytes as an indicator of inflammation.
- To assess the potential of 19F MRI for early pneumonia detection and treatment monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Pneumonia induced in mice using lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
- Intravenous injection of PFCs followed by 19F MRI and 1H MRI.
- Histology and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) used for confirmation.
- Graded LPS doses and anti-inflammatory agents (dexamethasone, CGS21680) used to validate the method.
Main Results:
- 19F MRI detected PFC accumulation in lungs 24 hours after LPS, while 1H MRI showed no injury.
- 19F MRI predicted progressive pneumonia earlier than 1H MRI.
- 19F signal intensity correlated with LPS dose and pathological inflammation markers.
- The method successfully monitored the effects of anti-inflammatory therapies.
Conclusions:
- PFCs act as effective contrast agents for prognostic and quantitative assessment of pulmonary inflammation using 19F MRI.
- The high specificity of 19F MRI is attributed to the absence of background fluorine signals.
- The biochemical inertness of PFCs suggests potential for human applications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
01:24Magnetic Resonance Imaging