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Influence of cell cycle phase on apparent diffusion coefficient in synchronized cells detected using temporal
Junzhong Xu1, Jingping Xie, Jerome Jourquin
1Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2310, USA. junzhong.xu@vanderbilt.edu
Oscillating gradient spin-echo MRI detects intracellular changes during cell division, unlike conventional methods. This technique offers new insights into cell microstructure for potential cancer detection and treatment monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Cellular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) interpretation relies on understanding the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of tissue water.
- Novel DW-MRI methods are needed to provide insights into tissue microstructure and intracellular changes.
- Conventional pulsed gradient spin-echo (PGSE) methods have limitations in detecting rapid cellular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare PGSE and oscillating gradient spin-echo (OGSE) methods for measuring ADC in HL-60 cells.
- To investigate the ability of OGSE to detect and quantify intracellular structural changes during cell division (mitosis).
- To explore the potential of OGSE-derived parameters for developing advanced MRI applications.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of ADC in synchronized packed HL-60 cells at 7 Tesla using both PGSE and OGSE techniques.
- OGSE method utilized varying gradient frequencies to probe diffusion at short distance and time scales.
- Fitting OGSE data to analytical models to extract cell structural parameters.
Main Results:
- PGSE with long diffusion times failed to detect ADC changes during cell division.
- OGSE successfully detected and quantified significant changes in intracellular organization during mitosis.
- OGSE enabled determination of cell size, intracellular diffusion coefficient, and surface-to-volume ratio.
Conclusions:
- OGSE is more sensitive than PGSE to microstructural changes occurring during cell division.
- OGSE-derived parameters can provide quantitative information about intracellular organization.
- OGSE-based parametric mapping in DW-MRI could aid in cancer detection and monitoring treatment effects.
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