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Updated: Oct 19, 2025
Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
Published on: February 10, 2015
Characterizing Fibrosis and Inflammation in a Partial Bile Duct Ligation Mouse Model by Multiparametric Magnetic
Jia-Yi Liu1, Ye-Yu Cai1, Zhu-Yuan Ding1
1Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
Background:
Partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) model is a reliable cholestatic fibrosis experimental model that showed complex histopathological changes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of PBDL have not been well characterized.
Purpose:
To investigate the potential of MRI parameters in assessing fibrosis in PBDL and explore the relationships between MRI and pathological features.
Animal Model:
Established PBDL models.
Population:
Fifty-four mice were randomly divided into four timepoints PBDL groups and one sham group.
Field Strength/Sequence:
3.0 T; MRI sequences included T1-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE), T2-weighted single shot FSE, variable flip angle T1 mapping, multi-echo SE T2 mapping, multi-echo gradient-echo T2* mapping, and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging.
Assessment:
MRI examination was performed at the corresponding timepoints after surgery. Native T1, ΔT1 (T1native-T1post), T2, T2*, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, histogram parameters (skewness and kurtosis), intravoxel incoherent motion parameters (f, D, and D* ) within the entire ligated (PBDL), non-ligated liver (PBDL), and whole liver (sham) were obtained. Fibrosis and inflammation were assessed in Masson and H&E staining slices using the Metavir and activity scoring system.
Statistical Tests:
One-way ANOVA, Spearman's rank correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Fibrosis and inflammation were finally staged as F3 and A3 in ligated livers but were not observed in non-ligated or sham livers. Ligated livers displayed significantly elevated native T1, ΔT1, T2, and reduced ADC and T2* than other livers. Spearman's correlation showed better correlation with inflammation (r = 0.809) than fibrosis (r = 0.635) in T2 and both ΔT1 and ADC showed stronger correlation with fibrosis (r = 0.704 and r = -0.718) than inflammation (r = 0.564 and r = -0.550). Area under the curve (AUC) for ΔT1 performed the highest (0.896). When combined with all relative parameters, AUC increased to 0.956.
Data Conclusion:
Multiparametric MRI can evaluate and differentiate pathological changes in PBDL. ΔT1 and ADC better correlated with fibrosis while T2 stronger with inflammation.
Level Of Evidence:
1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
Insights
Multiparametric MRI effectively assesses liver fibrosis and inflammation in partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) models. Key parameters like T1 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) show strong correlations with fibrosis, aiding in disease evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Liver Disease Research
Background:
- Partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) is a validated model for studying cholestatic liver fibrosis.
- Histopathological changes in PBDL are complex and not fully characterized by current imaging techniques.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features in PBDL require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of various MRI parameters in assessing liver fibrosis within the PBDL model.
- To explore the correlation between quantitative MRI metrics and established pathological features of liver fibrosis and inflammation.
- To determine the diagnostic performance of MRI in differentiating PBDL-induced liver changes.
Main Methods:
- Established partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) in 54 mice, divided into four timepoint groups and one sham group.
- Utilized a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner with advanced sequences including T1 mapping, T2 mapping, T2* mapping, and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging.
- Quantified MRI parameters (Native T1, ΔT1, T2, T2*, ADC) and histogram metrics; correlated findings with Masson and H&E staining using Metavir and activity scoring.
Main Results:
- Ligated livers showed significant increases in Native T1, ΔT1, T2, and decreases in ADC and T2* compared to sham livers.
- T2 demonstrated a stronger correlation with inflammation (r=0.809) than fibrosis (r=0.635).
- ΔT1 and ADC exhibited stronger correlations with fibrosis (r=0.704, r=-0.718) than inflammation (r=0.564, r=-0.550).
- ΔT1 achieved the highest Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.896 for differentiating fibrosis, increasing to 0.956 when combined with other parameters.
Conclusions:
- Multiparametric MRI is capable of evaluating and differentiating pathological changes in the PBDL model.
- The MRI parameters ΔT1 and ADC are more closely associated with liver fibrosis, while T2 is more strongly associated with inflammation.
- Quantitative MRI holds significant potential for non-invasively assessing liver fibrosis and inflammation in cholestatic liver disease.
