Molecular Ultrasound Imaging of the Spinal Cord for the Detection of Acute Inflammation. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Volz, Kevin R.; Evans, Kevin D.; Kanner, Christopher D.; Buford, John A.; Freimer, Miriam; Sommerich, Carolyn M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of diagnostic medical sonography. Volume 33:Number 6(2017:Dec.)
• Page Start: 454
• Page End: 463
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Molecular ultrasound imaging -- targeted contrast enhanced ultrasound -- spinal cord injury -- neural inflammation; Diagnostic ultrasonic imaging -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic imaging -- Periodicals; Échographie -- Périodiques; Échographie; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.07543
• DOI: 10.1177/8756479317729671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 8756-4793

Abstract

Molecular ultrasound imaging provides the ability to detect physiologic processes non-invasively by targeting a wide variety of biological markers in vivo. The current study investigates the novel application of molecular ultrasound imaging for the detection of neural inflammation. Using a murine model with acutely injured spinal cords (n=31), subjects were divided into four groups, each being administered ultrasound contrast microbubbles bearing antibodies against various known inflammatory molecules (P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion protein 1 [VCAM-1], intercellular adhesion molecule 1 [ICAM-1], and isotype control) during molecular ultrasound imaging. Upon administration of the targeted contrast agent, ultrasound imaging of the injured spinal cord was performed at 40MHz for seven minutes, followed by a bursting pulse. We observed significantly enhanced signals from contrast targeted to P-selectin and VCAM-1, using a variety of outcome measures. These findings provide preclinical evidence that molecular ultrasound imaging could be a useful tool in the detection of neural inflammation.