Iron particle-enhanced visualization of inflammatory central nervous system lesions by high resolution: preliminary data in an animal model. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2006;27(6):1225-9
Date
06/16/2006Pubmed ID
16775269Pubmed Central ID
PMC8133929Scopus ID
2-s2.0-33747392177 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 25 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The detection of cell infiltration is critical for the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory disorders, especially in the central nervous system (CNS). Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles have recently been introduced as a contrast agent to detect macrophage migration in vivo by MR imaging. We tested the hypothesis that focal hyperechogenicity due to SPIO-laden macrophages can also be visualized on high-resolution sonography.
METHODS: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced by myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) in congenic Lewis rats, an animal model mimicking many aspects of human multiple sclerosis. At the height of disease, rats underwent MR imaging with a 1.5T unit. Animals were injected with SPIO particles 24 hours before imaging. Control rats either received no contrast agent or were injected with SPIO particles without prior induction of EAE. Immediately after MR imaging, the rats were sacrificed, and the brains were removed and placed in saline. Sonography was performed directly after brain removal. Brains were embedded in paraffin, and sections were stained for iron with Perls stain and for macrophages with ED1 immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: SPIO-enhanced sonography of rat brains during a relapse of EAE specifically showed marked focal echogenicity in EAE-typical areas of the brain, including the periventricular region, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. The sonographic results corresponded to in vivo MR imaging findings of the respective animals as well to the clinical symptoms of EAE and to histology showing iron-laden macrophages in demyelinated lesions.
CONCLUSION: SPIO particles allow the detection and demarcation of inflammatory CNS lesions on sonograms by specific macrophage imaging.
Author List
Linker RA, Kroner A, Horn T, Gold R, Mäurer M, Bendszus MAuthor
Antje Kroner-Milsch MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsBrain
Cell Movement
Contrast Media
Dextrans
Echoencephalography
Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental
Ferrosoferric Oxide
Iron
Macrophages
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetite Nanoparticles
Myelin Proteins
Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
Oxides
Rats
Rats, Inbred Lew
