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Multiparametric MRI for In Vivo Visualization of Renal Inflammation in Acute Kidney Injury

Chuang Liu1,2, Shuai Wu1, Mingyu Zhang1

  • 1College of Materials Science and Engineering, and College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a novel MRI nanoprobe for visualizing kidney inflammation in acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). This targeted approach aids in early diagnosis and monitoring of AKI progression.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical imaging
  • Nanotechnology
  • Renal pathophysiology

Background:

  • Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a primary cause of acute kidney injury (AKI).
  • Current diagnostic methods lack sensitivity and specificity for in vivo inflammation visualization, hindering early detection and intervention.
  • Targeting inflammatory responses is crucial for understanding and managing AKI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate an inflammation-targeting multiparametric MRI strategy for real-time visualization of AKI-associated inflammation.
  • To assess the efficacy of a novel nanoprobe (NPs@PEG-PEP) in detecting inflammatory cell infiltration in IRI-induced AKI.
  • To establish a platform for spatiotemporal mapping of AKI progression.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a nanoprobe (NPs@PEG-PEP) functionalized with peptides targeting CD137, an immune activation receptor.
  • Utilizing NaGdF4 nanoparticles for simultaneous dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI).
  • In vivo evaluation of the nanoprobe's targeting ability, imaging signal persistence, and correlation with histopathological findings (H&E, CD11b).
  • Assessment of the nanoprobe's biological safety through cytotoxicity assays, hemolysis tests, and histopathology.

Main Results:

  • The NPs@PEG-PEP nanoprobe selectively targeted and accumulated in inflammatory cells within AKI-affected kidneys.
  • Multiparametric MRI effectively captured differences in vascular perfusion and inflammatory cell infiltration.
  • The inflammatory imaging signal demonstrated persistence for up to 18 hours and correlated well with histological evidence of inflammation.
  • Biological safety evaluations confirmed the nanoprobe's biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

  • An inflammation-targeting, multiparametric MRI platform using a CD137-targeting nanoprobe enables effective visualization of IRI-induced AKI.
  • This approach facilitates spatiotemporal mapping of AKI progression, offering a promising strategy for early diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.
  • The developed nanoprobe demonstrates significant potential for improving the management of AKI.
Keywords:
NaGdF4acute kidney injuryinflammationmagnetic resonance imagingmulti‐parameter

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