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Characterization of Nitrogen Mustard‐Induced Lung Injury Using Molecular Imaging Techniques
Author(s) -
Venosa Alessandro,
Schumacher Justin,
Adler Derek,
Laskin Jeffrey,
Yurkow Edward,
Gow Andrew,
Laskin Debra
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.933.2
Subject(s) - lung , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , bronchoalveolar lavage , fibrosis , pathology , radiology , nuclear medicine , lung volumes
Nitrogen mustard (NM) is an alkylating agent known to cause acute lung injury, which progresses to fibrosis. High definition magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were used to follow the progression of NM‐induced injury. Male rats (8–10 wk) were treated i.t. with 0.125 mg/kg NM or control. Gradient (GRE) and fast spin echo (FSE) MRI, and CT scans were performed 1–28 d later. Image processing was used to analyze and quantify MRI scans for areas of lung injury. NM exposure was associated with an increase in lung injury volume which was evident within 1–3 d; this coincided with acute injury in histologic sections. Whereas histology and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis indicated a time related decrease in extravascular lung fluids, MRI imaging showed low‐density shadows, indicative of fluid buildup, up to 28 d. CT scans were used to generate a high definition 3D reconstruction of the lung. Based on pixel intensity, lung images were segmented and the volume of air, dynamic and consolidated lung tissue identified. Within 3 d of NM dynamic lung volume was significantly decreased, when compared to controls, while the volume of consolidated lung tissue increased with time. These data show that MRI and CT imaging effectively track the progression of NM‐induced lung injury and have the potential to be used to identify a signature of acute injury and fibrosis. Support or Funding Information NIH AR055073, HL096426, ES004738, ES005022