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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Lung Transplant Immunology Through Intravital Imaging
Published on: April 19, 2024
Magnetization transfer as a potential tool for the early detection of acute graft rejection after lung
David Kenkel1, Yoshito Yamada2, Markus Weiger3
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. david.kenkel@usz.ch.
Purpose:
To investigate the value of magnetization transfer (MT) measurements for assessment of acute rejection (AR) in a murine lung transplantation model.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty mice including 15 C57BL/10 mice serving as donors and 15 C57BL/6 mice as recipients were examined in this study. MT imaging datasets were acquired on a 4.7 Tesla small animal MR scanner using a three-dimensional zero echo time sequence with a Gaussian-shaped MT prepulse with 1000° or 3000° flip angle and systematic variation of off-resonance frequencies between 1000 and 15,000 Hz. After image acquisition, the images were qualitatively assessed, magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) values were calculated and lungs were taken for histologic examination including staining with hematoxylin/eosin, Masson's trichrome (collagen), and α-smooth muscle (fibroproliferative tissue) staining.
Results:
Lung transplantation was successfully performed in all 15 mice. All animals showed AR characterized by the presence of interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrates. There were significant differences of MTR in lungs with and without AR (P = 0.007). With a flip angle of 1000°, the largest differences between the MTR of healthy lungs and lungs with AR were observed for an off-resonance frequency of 10,000 Hz (difference MTR 1.80%) and 15,000 Hz (1.91%) and with a flip angle of 3000° at off-resonance frequencies of 6000 Hz (1.37%) and 8000 Hz (1.70%).
Conclusion:
MT measurements may provide a tool for the quantitative assessment of AR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1091-1098.
Insights
Magnetization transfer (MT) measurements show promise for assessing acute rejection (AR) in lung transplants. This technique can quantitatively detect differences in lung tissue affected by AR, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Transplantation Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Acute rejection (AR) is a significant complication following lung transplantation.
- Accurate and early assessment of AR is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods can be invasive or lack specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of magnetization transfer (MT) measurements for assessing acute rejection (AR) in a murine lung transplantation model.
- To determine if MT imaging can quantitatively differentiate between healthy and rejected lung tissue.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a murine lung transplantation model with 15 donor and 15 recipient mice.
- Acquired MT imaging datasets using a 4.7 Tesla small animal MR scanner with a 3D zero echo time sequence.
- Varied MT prepulse flip angles (1000°/3000°) and off-resonance frequencies (1000-15,000 Hz).
- Calculated magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) values and performed histologic examination (H&E, Masson's trichrome, α-smooth muscle actin staining).
Main Results:
- Successful lung transplantation was performed in all recipients.
- All transplanted lungs exhibited AR, confirmed by interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrates.
- Significant differences in MTR were observed between healthy and AR-affected lungs (P=0.007).
- Optimal MTR differences were noted at specific off-resonance frequencies and flip angles, indicating sensitivity to AR.
Conclusions:
- Magnetization transfer (MT) measurements show potential as a non-invasive tool for quantitative assessment of acute rejection in lung transplants.
- MT imaging may offer a valuable method for monitoring transplant health and detecting AR.
