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Murine Functional Lung Imaging Using X-Ray Velocimetry for Longitudinal Noninvasive Quantitative Spatial Assessment
Kevin A Heist1, Christopher A Bonham1, Youngsoon Jang1
1Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
|October 28, 2025
Summary
Four-dimensional X-ray velocimetry (4DXV) enables longitudinal, noninvasive lung imaging in mice. This new method allows repeated scans over time, crucial for studying disease progression and treatment response in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Preclinical imaging research
- Pulmonary function analysis
- Medical technology development
Background:
- Four-dimensional X-ray velocimetry (4DXV) offers advanced preclinical quantitative functional lung imaging.
- Current 4DXV applications are limited to single-scan, non-survival studies.
- Longitudinal imaging methodologies are needed for assessing disease progression and treatment response in drug screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a longitudinal imaging protocol using 4DXV in mice.
- To enable repeated, noninvasive scans of the same animal over extended periods.
- To assess the repeatability and variability of 4DXV metrics for preclinical lung disease research.
Main Methods:
- Anesthesia and recovery protocols were optimized for repetitive animal scanning.
- Test-retest imaging was conducted on healthy mice over 8 weeks.
- Radiation dosimetry was performed to minimize X-ray exposure during repeat scans.
Main Results:
- Longitudinal 4DXV successfully captured progressive, heterogeneous changes in pulmonary function in a murine lung disease model.
- The method allowed for quantitative measurement of whole-lung and regional functional changes.
- Optimized protocols demonstrated feasibility for repeat imaging with minimized radiation dose.
Conclusions:
- 4DXV technology facilitates repeat, noninvasive measurements for high-resolution mapping of lung airflow dysfunction in mouse models.
- Developed anesthesia and imaging protocols support diverse murine pulmonary disease studies.
- 4DXV represents a significant advancement for longitudinal interrogation of pulmonary disease initiation, progression, and therapeutic response.
