Dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging of in vivo organ function
Cyrus B Amoozegar1, Tracy Wang, Matthew B Bouchard
1Columbia University, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology, Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging, 351 Engineering Terrace, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, New York 10027, USA. cba2115@columbia.edu
Abstract:
Conventional approaches to optical small animal molecular imaging suffer from poor resolution, limited sensitivity, and unreliable quantitation, often reducing their utility in practice. We previously demonstrated that the in vivo dynamics of an injected contrast agent could be exploited to provide high-contrast anatomical registration, owing to the temporal differences in each organ's response to the circulating fluorophore. This study extends this approach to explore whether dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging (DyCE) can allow noninvasive, in vivo assessment of organ function by quantifying the differing cellular uptake or wash-out dynamics of an agent in healthy and damaged organs. Specifically, we used DyCE to visualize and measure the organ-specific uptake dynamics of indocyanine green before and after induction of transient liver damage. DyCE imaging was performed longitudinally over nine days, and blood samples collected at each imaging session were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a liver enzyme assessed clinically as a measure of liver damage. We show that changes in DyCE-derived dynamics of liver and kidney dye uptake caused by liver damage correlate linearly with ALT concentrations, with an r2 value of 0.91. Our results demonstrate that DyCE can provide quantitative, in vivo, longitudinal measures of organ function with inexpensive and simple data acquisition.
Insights
Dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging (DyCE) offers a novel, noninvasive method for assessing organ function. This technique quantifies dye uptake and washout dynamics, correlating with liver damage markers for reliable in vivo monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Optical Imaging
- Small Animal Models
Background:
- Conventional optical imaging lacks resolution, sensitivity, and quantitation accuracy.
- Previous work utilized in vivo contrast agent dynamics for anatomical registration.
- Organ-specific temporal responses to circulating fluorophores offer potential for functional assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging (DyCE) for noninvasive, in vivo organ function assessment.
- To quantify cellular uptake and washout dynamics of contrast agents in healthy and damaged organs.
- To determine if DyCE can provide longitudinal, quantitative measures of organ function.
Main Methods:
- Dynamic contrast-enhanced optical imaging (DyCE) was used to visualize indocyanine green uptake dynamics.
- Transient liver damage was induced in small animals.
- DyCE imaging was performed longitudinally over nine days.
- Blood samples were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.
Main Results:
- DyCE successfully visualized and measured organ-specific dye uptake dynamics.
- Changes in liver and kidney dye uptake dynamics correlated with induced liver damage.
- DyCE-derived dynamics showed a strong linear correlation (r2 = 0.91) with ALT concentrations.
- The method provided quantitative, in vivo, longitudinal data.
Conclusions:
- DyCE enables noninvasive, quantitative assessment of organ function in vivo.
- The technique accurately reflects organ damage by measuring contrast agent dynamics.
- DyCE offers a simple, inexpensive, and effective approach for longitudinal organ function monitoring.
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