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Author Spotlight: Advancing Hepatic Fibrosis Diagnosis Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography and AI
Published on: July 21, 2023
Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Liver Fibrosis and Fibrogenesis Is Not Altered by Inflammation
Diego Dos Santos Ferreira1, Gunisha Arora2, Richard L Gieseck3
1From the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Methods:
Three groups of mice that develop either mild type 2 inflammation and fibrosis (wild type), severe fibrosis with exacerbated type 2 inflammation (Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/-), or minimal fibrosis with marked type 1 inflammation (Il4ra∂/∂) after infection with S. mansoni were imaged using both probes for determination of signal enhancement. Schistosoma mansoni-infected wild-type mice developed chronic liver fibrosis.
Results:
The liver MR signal enhancement after either probe administration was significantly higher in S. mansoni-infected wild-type mice compared with naive animals. The S. mansoni-infected Il4ra∂/∂ mice presented with little liver signal enhancement after probe injection despite the presence of substantial inflammation. Schistosoma mansoni-infected Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/- mice presented with marked fibrosis, which correlated to increased signal enhancement after injection of either probe.
Conclusions:
Both MR probes, EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd, were specific for fibrosis in this model of chronic liver disease regardless of the presence or severity of the underlying inflammation. These results, in addition to previous findings, show the potential application of both molecular MR probes for detection and quantification of fibrosis from various etiologies.
Insights
Molecular MR probes effectively detect and quantify liver fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni, regardless of inflammation severity. This shows promise for diagnosing liver disease across various causes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Hepatology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Schistosomiasis mansoni infection in mice leads to chronic liver fibrosis.
- Different genetic modifications in mice result in varying degrees of liver inflammation and fibrosis.
- Accurate assessment of liver fibrosis is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of two molecular magnetic resonance (MR) probes, EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd, in detecting and quantifying liver fibrosis.
- To determine if the probes' signal enhancement correlates with fibrosis severity and inflammation in a mouse model of Schistosoma mansoni infection.
- To assess the specificity of the MR probes for fibrosis across different inflammatory contexts.
Main Methods:
- Three groups of mice (wild type, Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/-, and Il4ra∂/∂) were infected with Schistosoma mansoni.
- Mice were imaged using two molecular MR probes (EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd) to measure liver signal enhancement.
- Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed in relation to MR signal enhancement.
Main Results:
- S. mansoni-infected wild-type mice showed significantly higher liver MR signal enhancement compared to naive animals.
- Il4ra∂/∂ mice had minimal signal enhancement despite inflammation, while Il10-/-Il12b-/-Il13ra2-/- mice with marked fibrosis exhibited increased signal enhancement.
- Both MR probes demonstrated signal enhancement that correlated with the presence and severity of fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- EP-3533 and Gd-Hyd are specific for detecting fibrosis in this chronic liver disease model, irrespective of inflammation.
- These molecular MR probes show potential for the detection and quantification of fibrosis from diverse etiologies.
- The findings support the application of these MR probes in diagnosing and monitoring liver fibrosis.
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