Jack A. Wells

Targeted magnetic delivery and tracking of cells using a magnetic resonance imaging system

The success of cell therapies depends on the ability to deliver the cells to the site of injury. Targeted magnetic cell delivery is an emergent technique for localised cell transplantation therapy. The use of permanent magnets limits such a treatment to organs close to the body surface or an implanted magnetic source. A possible alternative method for magnetic cell delivery is magnetic resonance targeting (MRT), which uses magnetic field gradients inherent to all magnetic resonance imaging system, to steer ferromagnetic particles to their target region. In this study we have assessed the feasibility of such an approach for cell targeting, using a range of flow rates and different super paramagnetic iron oxide particles in a vascular bifurcation phantom. Using MRT we have demonstrated that 75% of labelled cells could be guided within the vascular bifurcation. Furthermore we have demonstrated the ability to image the labelled cells before and after magnetic targeting, which may enable interactive manipulation and assessment of the distribution of cellular therapy. This is the first demonstration of cellular MRT and these initial findings support the potential value of MRT for improved targeting of intravascular cell therapies.

Amniotic fluid stem cells improve survival and enhance repair of damaged intestine in necrotising enterocolitis via a COX-2 dependent mechanism

Objective Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) remains one of the primary causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates and alternative strategies are needed. Stem cells have become a therapeutic option for other intestinal diseases, which share some features with NEC. We tested the hypothesis that amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells exerted a beneficial effect in a neonatal rat model of NEC. Design Rats intraperitoneally injected with AFS cells and their controls (bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, myoblast) were analysed for survival, behaviour, bowel imaging (MRI scan), histology, bowel absorption and motility, immunofluorescence for AFS cell detection, degree of gut inflammation (myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde), and enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation. Results AFS cells integrated in the bowel wall and improved rat survival and clinical conditions, decreased NEC incidence and macroscopic gut damage, improved intestinal function, decreased bowel inflammation, increased enterocyte proliferation and reduced apoptosis. The beneficial effect was achieved via modulation of stromal cells expressing cyclooxygenase 2 in the lamina propria, as shown by survival studies using selective and non-selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors. Interestingly, AFS cells differentially expressed genes of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which regulate intestinal epithelial stem cell function and cell migration and growth factors known to maintain gut epithelial integrity and reduce mucosal injury. Conclusions We demonstrated here for the first time that AFS cells injected in an established model of NEC improve survival, clinical status, gut structure and function. Understanding the mechanism of this effect may help us to develop new cellular or pharmacological therapies for infants with NEC.

fMRI response to blue light delivery in the naïve brain: Implications for combined optogenetic fMRI studies

The combination of optogenetics and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is referred to as opto-fMRI. Optogenetics utilises genetic engineering to introduce light sensitive actuator proteins into cells. Functional MRI (fMRI) is a specialist form of magnetic resonance imaging concerned with imaging changes in blood flow and oxygenation, linked to regional variation in metabolic activity, in the brain. This study describes a methodological concern regarding the effects of light delivery into the brain for the purposes of opto-fMRI. We show that blue light delivery to the naïve rat brain causes profound fMRI responses, despite the absence of optogenetic activation. We demonstrate that these fMRI responses are dependent upon laser power and show that the laser causes significant heating. We identify how heating impacts upon the MR signal causing NMR frequency shifts, and T1 and T2* changes. This study brings attention to a possible confounder which must be taken into account when opto-fMRI experiments are designed.

In vivo Hadamard encoded continuous arterial spin labeling (H-CASL).

Continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) measurements over a range of post‐labeling delay (PLD) times can be interpreted to estimate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (δa) with good spatial and temporal resolution. In this work, we present an in vivo demonstration of Hadamard‐encoded continuous arterial spin labeling (H‐CASL); an efficient method of imaging the inflow of short boli of labeled blood water in the brain at multiple PLD times. We present evidence that H‐CASL is viable for in vivo application in the rat brain and can improve the precision of δa estimation in 2/3 of the imaging time required for standard multi‐PLD CASL. Based on these findings, we propose that H‐CASL may have application as an efficient prescan for optimization of ASL imaging parameters to improve the precision of CBF estimation. Magn Reson Med 63:1111–1118, 2010.

Cardiac Arterial Spin Labeling Using Segmented ECG-Gated Look-Locker FAIR: Variability and Repeatability in Preclinical Studies

MRI is important for the assessment of cardiac structure and function in preclinical studies of cardiac disease. Arterial spin labeling techniques can be used to measure perfusion noninvasively. In this study, an electrocardiogram‐gated Look‐Locker sequence with segmented k‐space acquisition has been implemented to acquire single slice arterial spin labeling data sets in 15 min in the mouse heart. A data logger was introduced to improve data quality by: (1) allowing automated rejection of respiration‐corrupted images, (2) providing additional prospective gating to improve consistency of acquisition timing, and (3) allowing the recombination of uncorrupted k‐space lines from consecutive data sets to reduce respiration corruption. Finally, variability and repeatability of perfusion estimation within‐session, between‐session, between‐animal, and between image rejection criteria were assessed in mice. The criterion used to reject images from the T1 fit was shown to affect the perfusion estimation. These data showed that the between‐animal coefficient of variability (24%) was greater than the between‐session variability (17%) and within‐session variability (11%). Furthermore, the magnitude of change in perfusion required to detect differences was 30% (within‐session) and 55% (between‐session) according to Bland‐Altman repeatability analysis. These technique developments and repeatability statistics will provide a platform for future preclinical studies applying cardiac arterial spin labeling. Magn Reson Med, 2013.

Application of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to a tau pathology model of Alzheimer's disease.

Increased hyperphosphorylated tau and the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are associated with the loss of neurons and cognitive decline in Alzheimers disease, and related neurodegenerative conditions. We applied two diffusion models, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), to in vivo diffusion magnetic resonance images (dMRI) of a mouse model of human tauopathy (rTg4510) at 8.5 months of age. In grey matter regions with the highest degree of tau burden, microstructural indices provided by both NODDI and DTI discriminated the rTg4510 (TG) animals from wild type (WT) controls; however only the neurite density index (NDI) (the volume fraction that comprises axons or dendrites) from the NODDI model correlated with the histological measurements of the levels of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Reductions in diffusion directionality were observed when implementing both models in the white matter region of the corpus callosum, with lower fractional anisotropy (DTI) and higher orientation dispersion (NODDI) observed in the TG animals. In comparison to DTI, histological measures of tau pathology were more closely correlated with NODDI parameters in this region. This in vivo dMRI study demonstrates that NODDI identifies potential tissue sources contributing to DTI indices and NODDI may provide greater specificity to pathology in Alzheimers disease.

Imaging seizure-induced inflammation using an antibody targeted iron oxide contrast agent.

Early inflammation following status epilepticus has been implicated in the development of epilepsy and the evolution of brain injury, yet its precise role remains unclear. The development of non-invasive imaging markers of inflammation would enable researchers to test this hypothesis in vivo and study its temporal progression in relation to epileptogenic insults. In this study we have investigated the potential of a targeted magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent--vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 antibody labelled iron oxide--to image the inflammatory process following status epilepticus in the rat lithium-pilocarpine model. Intravascular administration of the targeted contrast agent was performed at approximately 1 day following status epilepticus. The control group received diazepam prior to pilocarpine to prevent status epilepticus. Magnetic resonance imaging of rats was performed before and after contrast administration. Comparison with quantitative T₂ measurements was also performed. At the end of the study, brains were removed for ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging and histology. Marked focal hypointensities caused by contrast agent binding were observed on in vivo magnetic resonance images in the post status epilepticus group. In particular these occurred in the periventricular organs, the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. Relatively little contrast agent binding was observed in the control group. T₂ relaxation times were not significantly increased for the hippocampus or the cerebral cortex in post status epilepticus animals. These results demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo imaging of seizure-induced inflammation in an animal model of epilepsy. The antibody targeted MRI contrast agent identified regions of acute inflammation following status epilepticus and may provide an early marker of brain injury. This technique could be used to determine the role of inflammation in models of epileptogenesis and to study the potential for anti-inflammatory therapeutic interventions.

In vivo imaging of tau pathology using multi-parametric quantitative MRI

As the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimers disease (AD) reaches epidemic proportions, there is an urgent need to develop effective treatment strategies to tackle the social and economic costs of this fatal condition. Dozens of candidate therapeutics are currently being tested in clinical trials, and compounds targeting the aberrant accumulation of tau proteins into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the focus of substantial current interest. Reliable, translatable biomarkers sensitive to both tau pathology and its modulation by treatment along with animal models that faithfully reflect aspects of the human disease are urgently required. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well established as a valuable tool for monitoring the structural brain changes that accompany AD progression. However the descent into dementia is not defined by macroscopic brain matter loss alone: non-invasive imaging measurements sensitive to protein accumulation, white matter integrity and cerebral haemodynamics probe distinct aspects of AD pathophysiology and may serve as superior biomarkers for assessing drug efficacy. Here we employ a multi-parametric array of five translatable MRI techniques to characterise the in vivo pathophysiological phenotype of the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy (structural imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labelling (ASL), chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and glucose CEST). Tau-induced pathological changes included grey matter atrophy, increased radial diffusivity in the white matter, decreased amide proton transfer and hyperperfusion. We demonstrate that the above markers unambiguously discriminate between the transgenic group and age-matched controls and provide a comprehensive profile of the multifaceted neuropathological processes underlying the rTg4510 model. Furthermore, we show that ASL and DTI techniques offer heightened sensitivity to processes believed to precede detectable structural changes and, as such, provides a platform for the study of disease mechanisms and therapeutic intervention.

Cerebral blood flow changes during pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus activity in the rat hippocampus

INTRODUCTION There is a known relationship between convulsive status epilepticus (SE) and hippocampal injury. Although the precise causes of this hippocampal vulnerability remains uncertain, potential mechanisms include excitotoxicity and ischaemia. It has been hypothesised that during the early phase of seizures, cerebral blood flow (CBF) increases in the cortex to meet energy demand, but it is unclear whether these compensatory mechanisms occur in the hippocampus. In this study we investigated CBF changes using perfusion MRI during SE in the pilocarpine rat. METHODS First, we determined whether SE could be induced under anaesthesia. Two anaesthetic protocols were investigated: isoflurane (n=6) and fentanyl/medetomidine (n=7). Intrahippocampal EEG electrodes were used to determine seizure activity and reflex behaviours were used to assess anaesthesia. Pilocarpine was administered to induce status epilepticus. For CBF measurements, MRI arterial spin labelling was performed continuously for up to 3h. Either pilocarpine (375 mg/kg) (n=7) for induction of SE or saline (n=6) was administered. Diazepam (10mg/kg) was administered i.p. 90 min after the onset of SE. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We demonstrated time-dependent significant (p<0.05) differences between the CBF responses in the parietal cortex and the hippocampus during SE. This regional response indicates a preferential distribution of flow to certain regions of the brain and may contribute to the selective vulnerability observed in the hippocampus in humans.

A Critical Role for Purinergic Signalling in the Mechanisms Underlying Generation of BOLD fMRI Responses

The mechanisms of neurovascular coupling underlying generation of BOLD fMRI signals remain incompletely understood. It has been proposed that release of vasoactive substances by astrocytes couples neuronal activity to changes in cerebrovascular blood flow. However, the role of astrocytes in fMRI responses remains controversial. Astrocytes communicate via release of ATP, and here we tested the hypothesis that purinergic signaling plays a role in the mechanisms underlying fMRI. An established fMRI paradigm was used to trigger BOLD responses in the forepaw region of the somatosensory cortex (SSFP) of an anesthetized rat. Forepaw stimulation induced release of ATP in the SSFP region. To interfere with purinergic signaling by promoting rapid breakdown of the vesicular and/or released ATP, a lentiviral vector was used to express a potent ectonucleotidase, transmembrane prostatic acid phosphatase (TMPAP), in the SSFP region. TMPAP expression had no effect on resting cerebral blood flow, cerebrovascular reactivity, and neuronal responses to sensory stimulation. However, TMPAP catalytic activity markedly reduced the magnitude of BOLD fMRI responses triggered in the SSFP region by forepaw stimulation. Facilitated ATP breakdown could result in accumulation of adenosine. However, blockade of A1 receptors had no effect on BOLD responses and did not reverse the effect of TMPAP. These results suggest that purinergic signaling plays a significant role in generation of BOLD fMRI signals. We hypothesize that astrocytes activated during periods of enhanced neuronal activity release ATP, which propagates astrocytic activation, stimulates release of vasoactive substances and dilation of cerebral vasculature.