Xenon-129 MR imaging and spectroscopy of rat brain using arterial delivery of hyperpolarized xenon in a lipid emulsion

Enhanced 129 Xe T1 relaxation in whole blood and in the presence of SPIONs at low magnetic field strengths

PURPOSE

To compare the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on the T1 of 129 Xe and 1 H and to measure the relaxation of 129 Xe in blood at low and high magnetic field strengths.

METHODS

129 Xe and 1 H T1 relaxometry was performed at low- and high-field strengths in samples containing different SPION concentrations, while imaging was used to compare the contrast obtainable in these two field regimes. In vivo experiments at variable field strengths were performed to determine the depolarization of 129 Xe in blood and the feasibility of in vivo dissolved-phase spectroscopy and imaging at low field.

RESULTS

The SPION relaxivity was substantially greater at low field for 1 H, increasing from 0.92 ± 0.06 mM s-1 at 11.7T to 31.5 ± 1.8 mM s-1 at 0.6 mT, and for 129 Xe, which increased from 0.13 ± 0.03 mM s-1 at 11.7T to 7.32 ± 0.71 mM s-1 at 2.1 mT. The additional MR signal loss increased from 0.7% at 9.4T to 20.6 ± 4.2% at 0.6 mT for 1 H and from -0.7 ± 3.4% at 9.4T to 12.7 ± 3.5% at 2.1 mT for 129 Xe. Blood was found to depolarize 129 Xe below 3T in a manner inversely proportional to the field strength. In vitro studies at 2.1 mT suggest 129 Xe relaxation times below 5 s in blood dilutions as low as 0.4% volume.

CONCLUSION

SPIONs longitudinal relaxivity increases at low field both for 1 H and 129 Xe. The depolarization of xenon in blood, which is found to increase below 3T, effectively prevents in vivo dissolved-phase spectroscopy and imaging at low-field strengths.

Longitudinal nuclear spin relaxation of 129 Xe in solution and in hollow fiber membranes at low and high magnetic field strengths

PURPOSE

To measure dissolved-phase 129 Xe T1 values at high and low magnetic fields and the field dependence of 129 Xe depolarization by hollow fiber membranes used to infuse hyperpolarized xenon in solution.

METHODS

Dissolved-phase T1 measurements were made at 11.7T and 2.1 mT by bubbling xenon in solution and by using a variable delay to allow spins to partially relax back to thermal equilibrium before probing their magnetization. At high field, relaxation values were compared to those obtained by using the small flip angle method. For depolarization studies, we probed the magnetization of the polarized gas diffusing through an exchange membrane module placed at different field strengths.

RESULTS

Total loss of polarization was observed for xenon diffusing through hollow fiber membranes at low field, while significant polarization loss (>20%) was observed at magnetic fields up to 2T. Dissolved-phase 129 Xe T1 values were found consistently shorter at 2.1 mT compared to 11.7T. In addition, both O2 and Xe gas concentrations in solution were found to significantly affect dissolved-phase 129 Xe T1 values.

CONCLUSION

Dissolved-phase 129 Xe measurements are feasible at low field, but to assess the feasibility of in vivo dissolved-phase imaging and spectroscopy the T1 of xenon in blood will need to be measured. Both O2 and Xe concentrations in solution are found to greatly affect  dissolved-phase 129 Xe T1 values and may explain, along with RF miscalibration, the large discrepancy in previously reported results.

How to improve the efficiency of a traditional dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) apparatus: Design and performance of a fluid path compatible dDNP/LOD-ESR probe

Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (dDNP) was invented almost twenty years ago. Ever since, hardware advancement has observed 2 trends: the quest for DNP at higher field and, more recently, the development of cryogen free polarizers. Despite the DNP community is slowly migrating towards "dry" systems, many "wet" polarizers are still in use. Traditional DNP polarizers can use up to 100 L of liquid helium per week, but are less sensitive to air contamination and have higher cooling power. These two characteristics make them very versatile when it comes to new methods development. In this study we retrofitted a 5 T/1.15 K "wet" DNP polarizer with the aim of improving cryogenic and DNP performance. We designed, built, and tested a new DNP insert that is compatible with the fluid path (FP) technology and a LOgitudinal Detected Electron Spin Resonance (LOD-ESR) probe to investigate radical properties at real DNP conditions. The new hardware increased the maximum achievable polarization and the polarization rate constant of a [1-¹³C]pyruvic acid-trityl sample by a factor 1.5. Moreover, the increased liquid He holding time together with the possibility to constantly keep the sample space at low pressure upon sample loading and dissolution allowed us to save about 20 L of liquid He per week.

Hyperpolarized 129 Xe multi-slice imaging of the human brain using a 3D gradient echo pulse sequence

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the possibility of performing multi-slice in-vivo human brain MRI using hyperpolarized (HP) xenon-129 (¹²⁹ Xe) in two different orientations and to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

METHODS

Two healthy female participants were imaged during a single breath-hold of HP ¹²⁹ Xe using a Philips Achieva 3.0T MRI scanner (Philips, Andover, MA). Each HP ¹²⁹ Xe multi-slice brain image was acquired during separate HP ¹²⁹ Xe breath-holds using 3D gradient echo (GRE) imaging. The acquisition started 10 s after the inhalation of 1 L of HP ¹²⁹ Xe. Overall, four sagittal and three axial images were acquired (seven imaging sessions per participant). The SNR was calculated for each slice in both orientations.

RESULTS

The first ever HP ¹²⁹ Xe multi-slice images of the brain were acquired in axial and sagittal orientations. The HP ¹²⁹ Xe signal distribution correlated well with the gray matter distribution. The highest SNR values were close in the axial and sagittal orientations (19.46 ± 3.25 and 18.76 ± 4.94, respectively). Additionally, anatomical features, such as the ventricles, were observed in both orientations.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of using multi-slice HP ¹²⁹ Xe human brain magnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated for the first time. HP ¹²⁹ Xe multi-slice MRI can be implemented for brain imaging to improve current diagnostic methods.

Automated Low-Cost In Situ IR and NMR Spectroscopy Characterization of Clinical-Scale 129Xe Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping

We present on the utility of in situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic techniques for automated advanced analysis of the ¹²⁹Xe hyperpolarization process during spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP). The developed software protocol, written in the MATLAB programming language, facilitates detailed characterization of hyperpolarized contrast agent production efficiency based on determination of key performance indicators, including the maximum achievable ¹²⁹Xe polarization, steady-state Rb-¹²⁹Xe spin-exchange and ¹²⁹Xe polarization build-up rates, ¹²⁹Xe spin-relaxation rates, and estimates of steady-state Rb electron polarization. Mapping the dynamics of ¹²⁹Xe polarization and relaxation as a function of SEOP temperature enables systematic optimization of the batch-mode SEOP process. The automated analysis of a typical experimental data set, encompassing ∼300 raw NMR and NIR spectra combined across six different SEOP temperatures, can be performed in under 5 min on a laptop computer. The protocol is designed to be robust in operation on any batch-mode SEOP hyperpolarizer device. In particular, we demonstrate the implementation of a combination of low-cost NIR and low-frequency NMR spectrometers (∼$1,100 and ∼$300 respectively, ca. 2020) for use in the described protocols. The demonstrated methodology will aid in the characterization of NMR hyperpolarization hardware in the context of SEOP and other hyperpolarization techniques for more robust and less expensive clinical production of HP ¹²⁹Xe and other contrast agents.

Simple and robust referencing system enables identification of dissolved-phase xenon spectral frequencies

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of macroscopic susceptibility gradients on the gas-phase referenced dissolved-phase 129 Xe (DPXe) chemical shift (CS) and to establish the robustness of a water-based referencing system for in vivo DPXe spectra.

METHODS

Frequency shifts induced by spatially varying magnetic susceptibility are calculated by finite-element analysis for the human head and chest. Their effect on traditional gas-phase referenced DPXe CS is then assessed theoretically and experimentally. A water-based referencing system for the DPXe resonances that uses the local water protons as reference is proposed and demonstrated in vivo in rats.

RESULTS

Across the human brain, macroscopic susceptibility gradients can induce an apparent variation in the DPXe CS of up to 2.5 ppm. An additional frequency shift as large as 6.5 ppm can exist between DPXe and gas-phase resonances. By using nearby water protons as reference for the DPXe CS, the effect of macroscopic susceptibility gradients is eliminated and consistent CS values are obtained in vivo, regardless of shimming conditions, region of interest analyzed, animal orientation, or lung inflation. Combining in vitro and in vivo spectroscopic measurements finally enables confident assignment of some of the DPXe peaks observed in vivo.

CONCLUSION

To use hyperpolarized xenon as a biological probe in tissues, the DPXe CS in specific organs/tissues must be reliably measured. When the gas-phase is used as reference, variable CS values are obtained for DPXe resonances. Reliable peak assignments in DPXe spectra can be obtained by using local water protons as reference. Magn Reson Med 80:431-441, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

A cCPE-based xenon biosensor for magnetic resonance imaging of claudin-expressing cells

The majority of malignant tumors originate from epithelial cells, and many of them are characterized by an overexpression of claudins (Cldns) and their mislocalization out of tight junctions. We utilized the C-terminal claudin-binding domain of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (cCPE), with its high affinity to specific members of the claudin family, as the targeting unit for a claudin-sensitive cancer biosensor. To overcome the poor sensitivity of conventional relaxivity-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, we utilized the superior sensitivity of xenon Hyper-CEST biosensors. We labeled cCPE for both xenon MRI and fluorescence detection. As one readout module, we employed a cryptophane (CrA) monoacid and, as the second, a fluorescein molecule. Both were conjugated separately to a biotin molecule via a polyethyleneglycol chemical spacer and later via avidin linked to GST-cCPE. Nontransfected HEK293 cells and HEK293 cells stably expressing Cldn4-FLAG were incubated with the cCPE-based biosensor. Fluorescence-based flow cytometry and xenon MRI demonstrated binding of the biosensor specifically to Cldn4-expressing cells. This study provides proof of concept for the use of cCPE as a carrier for diagnostic contrast agents, a novel approach for potential detection of Cldn3/-4-overexpressing tumors for noninvasive early cancer detection.

Oxygen-dependent hyperpolarized (129) Xe brain MR

Hyperpolarized (HP) (129) Xe MR offers unique advantages for brain functional imaging (fMRI) because of its extremely high sensitivity to different chemical environments and the total absence of background noise in biological tissues. However, its advancement and applications are currently plagued by issues of signal strength. Generally, xenon atoms found in the brain after inhalation are transferred from the lung via the bloodstream. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1 ) of HP (129) Xe is inversely proportional to the pulmonary oxygen concentration in the lung because oxygen molecules are paramagnetic. However, the T1 of (129) Xe is proportional to the pulmonary oxygen concentration in the blood, because the higher pulmonary oxygen concentration will result in a higher concentration of diamagnetic oxyhemoglobin. Accordingly, there should be an optimal pulmonary oxygen concentration for a given quantity of HP (129) Xe in the brain. In this study, the relationship between pulmonary oxygen concentration and HP (129) Xe signal in the brain was analyzed using a theoretical model and measured through in vivo experiments. The results from the theoretical model and experiments in rats are found to be in good agreement with each other. The optimal pulmonary oxygen concentration predicted by the theoretical model was 21%, and the in vivo experiments confirmed the presence of such an optimal ratio by reporting measurements between 25% and 35%. These findings are helpful for improving the (129) Xe signal in the brain and make the most of the limited spin polarization available for brain experiments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Xe affinities of water-soluble cryptophanes and the role of confined water

Simulations provide molecular insight on the aqueous binding of Xe to cryptophanes.

Given their relevance to drug design and chemical sensing, host–guest interactions are of broad interest in molecular science. Natural and synthetic host molecules provide vehicles for understanding selective molecular recognition in aqueous solution. Here, cryptophane–Xe host–guest systems are considered in aqueous media as a model molecular system that also has important applications. ¹²⁹Xe–cryptophane systems can be used in the creation of biosensors and powerful contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging applications. Detailed molecular information on the determinants of Xe affinity is difficult to obtain experimentally. Thus, molecular simulation and free energy perturbation methods were applied to estimate the affinities of Xe for six water-soluble cryptophanes. The calculated affinities correlated well with the previously measured experimental values. The simulations provided molecular insight on the differences in affinities and the roles of conformational fluctuations, solvent, and counter ions on Xe binding to these host molecules. Displacement of confined water from the host interior cavity is a key component of the binding equilibrium, and the average number of water molecules within the host cavity is correlated with the free energy of Xe binding to the different cryptophanes. The findings highlight roles for molecular simulation and design in modulating the relative strengths of host–guest and host–solvent interactions.

Live-cell MRI with xenon hyper-CEST biosensors targeted to metabolically labeled cell-surface glycans

The targeting of metabolically labeled glycans with conventional MRI contrast agents has proved elusive. In this work, which further expands the utility of xenon Hyper-CEST biosensors in cell experiments, we present the first successful molecular imaging of such glycans using MRI. Xenon Hyper-CEST biosensors are a novel class of MRI contrast agents with very high sensitivity. We designed a multimodal biosensor for both fluorescent and xenon MRI detection that is targeted to metabolically labeled sialic acid through bioorthogonal chemistry. Through the use of a state of the art live-cell bioreactor, it was demonstrated that xenon MRI biosensors can be used to image cell-surface glycans at nanomolar concentrations.

Cryptophane-folate biosensor for (129)xe NMR

Folate-conjugated cryptophane was developed for targeting cryptophane to membrane-bound folate receptors that are overexpressed in many human cancers. The cryptophane biosensor was synthesized in 20 nonlinear steps, which included functionalization with folate recognition moiety, solubilizing peptide, and Cy3 fluorophore. Hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR studies confirmed xenon binding to the folate-conjugated cryptophane. Cellular internalization of biosensor was monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy and quantified by flow cytometry. Competitive blocking studies confirmed cryptophane endocytosis through a folate receptor-mediated pathway. Flow cytometry revealed 10-fold higher cellular internalization in KB cancer cells overexpressing folate receptors compared to HT-1080 cells with normal folate receptor expression. The biosensor was determined to be nontoxic in HT-1080 and KB cells by MTT assay at low micromolar concentrations typically used for hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR experiments.

Biomedical imaging with hyperpolarized noble gases

Hyperpolarized noble gases (HNGs), polarized to approximately 50% or higher, have led to major advances in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of porous structures and air-filled cavities in human subjects, particularly the lung. By boosting the available signal to a level about 100 000 times higher than that at thermal equilibrium, air spaces that would otherwise appear as signal voids in an MR image can be revealed for structural and functional assessments. This review discusses how HNG MR imaging differs from conventional proton MR imaging, how MR pulse sequence design is affected and how the properties of gas imaging can be exploited to obtain hitherto inaccessible information in humans and animals. Current and possible future imaging techniques, and their application in the assessment of normal lung function as well as certain lung diseases, are described.

Multichannel MRI labeling of mammalian cells by switchable nanocarriers for hyperpolarized xenon

We demonstrate a concept for multichannel MRI cell-labeling using encapsulated laser-polarized xenon. Conceptually different Xe trapping properties of two nanocarriers, namely macrocyclic cages as individual hosts or compartmentalization into nanodroplets, ensure a large chemical shift separation for Xe bound in either of the carriers even after cellular internalization. Two differently labeled mammalian cell populations were imaged by frequency selective saturation transfer resulting in a switchable "two-color" xenon-MRI contrast at micro- to nanomolar Xe carrier concentrations.

Genetically encoded reporters for hyperpolarized xenon magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables high-resolution non-invasive observation of the anatomy and function of intact organisms. However, previous MRI reporters of key biological processes tied to gene expression have been limited by the inherently low molecular sensitivity of conventional (1)H MRI. This limitation could be overcome through the use of hyperpolarized nuclei, such as in the noble gas xenon, but previous reporters acting on such nuclei have been synthetic. Here, we introduce the first genetically encoded reporters for hyperpolarized (129)Xe MRI. These expressible reporters are based on gas vesicles (GVs), gas-binding protein nanostructures expressed by certain buoyant microorganisms. We show that GVs are capable of chemical exchange saturation transfer interactions with xenon, which enables chemically amplified GV detection at picomolar concentrations (a 100- to 10,000-fold improvement over comparable constructs for (1)H MRI). We demonstrate the use of GVs as heterologously expressed indicators of gene expression and chemically targeted exogenous labels in MRI experiments performed on living cells.

Cell tracking with caged xenon: using cryptophanes as MRI reporters upon cellular internalization

Caged xenon has great potential in overcoming sensitivity limitations for solution-state NMR detection of dilute molecules. However, no application of such a system as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent has yet been performed with live cells. We demonstrate MRI localization of cells labeled with caged xenon in a packed-bed bioreactor working under perfusion with hyperpolarized-xenon-saturated medium. Xenon hosts enable NMR/MRI experiments with switchable contrast and selectivity for cell-associated versus unbound cages. We present MR images with 10(3) -fold sensitivity enhancement for cell-internalized, dual-mode (fluorescence/MRI) xenon hosts at low micromolar concentrations. Our results illustrate the capability of functionalized xenon to act as a highly sensitive cell tracer for MRI detection even without signal averaging. The method will bridge the challenging gap for translation to in vivo studies for the optimization of targeted biosensors and their multiplexing applications.

Inert gas transport in blood and tissues

This article establishes the basic mathematical models and the principles and assumptions used for inert gas transfer within body tissues-first, for a single compartment model and then for a multicompartment model. From these, and other more complex mathematical models, the transport of inert gases between lungs, blood, and other tissues is derived and compared to known experimental studies in both animals and humans. Some aspects of airway and lung transfer are particularly important to the uptake and elimination of inert gases, and these aspects of gas transport in tissues are briefly described. The most frequently used inert gases are those that are administered in anesthesia, and the specific issues relating to the uptake, transport, and elimination of these gases and vapors are dealt with in some detail showing how their transfer depends on various physical and chemical attributes, particularly their solubilities in blood and different tissues. Absorption characteristics of inert gases from within gas cavities or tissue bubbles are described, and the effects other inhaled gas mixtures have on the composition of these gas cavities are discussed. Very brief consideration is given to the effects of hyper- and hypobaric conditions on inert gas transport.

Development of a fast method for quantitative measurement of hyperpolarized 129Xe dynamics in mouse brain

A fast method has been established for the precise measurement and quantification of the dynamics of hyperpolarized (HP) xenon-129 ((129)Xe) in the mouse brain. The key technique is based on repeatedly applying radio frequency (RF) pulses and measuring the decrease of HP (129)Xe magnetization after the brain Xe concentration has reached a steady state due to continuous HP (129)Xe ventilation. The signal decrease of the (129)Xe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal was well described by a simple theoretical model. The technique made it possible to rapidly evaluate the rate constant α, which is composed of cerebral blood flow (CBF), the partition coefficient of Xe between the tissue and blood (λ(i)), and the longitudinal relaxation time (T(1i)) of HP (129)Xe in the brain tissue, without any effect of depolarization by RF pulses and the dynamics in the lung. The technique enabled the precise determination of α as 0.103 ± 0.018  s(-1) (± SD, n = 5) on healthy mice. To investigate the potential of this method for detecting physiological changes in the brain of a kainic acid (KA) -induced mouse model of epilepsy, an attempt was made to follow the time course of α after KA injection. It was found that the α value changes characteristically with time, reflecting the change in the physiological state of the brain induced by KA injection. By measuring CBF using (1)H MRI and (129)Xe dynamics simultaneously and comparing these results, it was suggested that the reduction of T(1i), in addition to the increase of CBF due to KA-induced epilepsy, are possible causes of the change in (129)Xe dynamics. Thus, the present method would be useful to detect a pathophysiological state in the brain and provide a novel tool for future brain study.

Distribution of hyperpolarized xenon in the brain following sensory stimulation: preliminary MRI findings

In hyperpolarized xenon magnetic resonance imaging (HP (129)Xe MRI), the inhaled spin-1/2 isotope of xenon gas is used to generate the MR signal. Because hyperpolarized xenon is an MR signal source with properties very different from those generated from water-protons, HP (129)Xe MRI may yield structural and functional information not detectable by conventional proton-based MRI methods. Here we demonstrate the differential distribution of HP (129)Xe in the cerebral cortex of the rat following a pain stimulus evoked in the animal's forepaw. Areas of higher HP (129)Xe signal corresponded to those areas previously demonstrated by conventional functional MRI (fMRI) methods as being activated by a forepaw pain stimulus. The percent increase in HP (129)Xe signal over baseline was 13-28%, and was detectable with a single set of pre and post stimulus images. Recent innovations in the production of highly polarized (129)Xe should make feasible the emergence of HP (129)Xe MRI as a viable adjunct method to conventional MRI for the study of brain function and disease.

Xenon-based molecular sensors in lipid suspensions

There have been many proposals to use xenon-based molecular sensors in biological settings. Fundamental to understanding the properties of these sensors in vivo is characterizing their behavior in lipid environments. We report the investigation of xenon-based molecular sensors in suspensions of lipid vesicles with a size comparable to cells. We detail spectroscopic properties of sensors associated with lipid vesicles as well as those in equilibrium in the surrounding solution. We characterize the dependence of the spectral parameters on temperature, relevant for studies at physiological temperatures. We also demonstrate the ability to perform selective saturation transfer (Hyper-CEST) between sensor, both lipid bound and unbound, and the bulk solution. Lastly, we demonstrate the applicability of saturation transfer in the heterogeneous medium as an imaging modality.

Functionalized 129Xe contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

The concept of 'xenon biosensor' for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was first proposed by a Berkeley team in 2001, with evidence that hyperpolarized 129Xe bound to a biotin-labeled cryptophane can detect streptavidin at much lower concentrations (nM-microM) than is typical for contrast-enhanced MRI experiments. 129Xe biosensors have undergone many recent developments to address challenges in molecular imaging. For example, cryptophanes that exhibit 10-fold higher xenon affinity with distinct 129Xe magnetic resonance spectra have been synthesized. Also relevant are dendrimeric cryptophane assemblies and inorganic zeolites that localize many 129Xe atoms to rare targets. Finally, this article considers biosensors that produce measurable changes in 129Xe chemical shift based upon the activity of oligonucleotides, proteins, or enzymes, and includes the first cell studies.

Magnetic resonance imaging of dissolved hyperpolarized 129Xe using a membrane-based continuous flow system

A technique for continuous production of solutions containing hyperpolarized (129)Xe is explored for MRI applications. The method is based on hollow fiber membranes which inhibit the formation of foams and bubbles. A systematic analysis of various carrier agents for hyperpolarized (129)Xe has been carried out, which are applicable as contrast agents for in vivo MRI. The image quality of different hyperpolarized Xe solutions is compared and MRI results obtained in a clinical as well as in a nonclinical MRI setting are provided. Moreover, we demonstrate the application of (129)Xe contrast agents produced with our dissolution method for lung MRI by imaging hyperpolarized (129)Xe that has been both dissolved in and outgassed from a carrier liquid in a lung phantom, illustrating its potential for the measurement of lung perfusion and ventilation.

3D Hyperpolarized (129)Xe MRI of mouse lung at low xenon concentration using a continuous flow-type hyperpolarizing system: feasibility for quantitative measurement of regional ventilation

PURPOSE

We investigated the feasibility of 3D hyperpolarized (HP) (129)Xe magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at an extremely low concentration of HP (129)Xe supplied from a continuous flow-type hyperpolarizing (CF-HP) system and established a standard procedure for measuring regional lung ventilation of small animals, such as the mouse, as a baseline for further studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed 3D HP (129)Xe MR imaging of the lungs of 2 healthy and 2 emphysematous mice that were spontaneously breathing diluted HP (129)Xe (<1%). From the three 3D MR images acquired by varying the flip angle of the radiofrequency (RF) pulse, we calculated the time constant of regional recovery, tau'(rep), which represents the time required for HP (129)Xe magnetization to be replenished approximately 63% after destruction of hyperpolarization by RF saturation pulse. After calculating the tau'(rep) maps, we examined the validity of our method.

RESULTS

We used diluted xenon from the CF-HP system to acquire 3D HP (129)Xe MR images of the mouse lung that were undiminished under spontaneous respiration. The averaged tau'(rep) values were longer for the emphysematous lungs than for the healthy lungs, which reflected ventilation defects in the emphysematous lung.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure permitted us to estimate the regional lung ventilation for any arbitrarily set slice, and it will provide a standard for measuring regional lung ventilation as a baseline for further studies.

A simple method for quantitative measurement and analysis of hyperpolarized (129)Xe uptake dynamics in mouse brain under controlled flow

We established a simple method for measuring and quantifying uptake dynamics of hyperpolarized (HP) (129)Xe in mouse brain, which includes application of a saturation recovery pulse sequence under controlled flow of HP (129)Xe. The technique allows pursuit of the time-dependent change in (129)Xe nuclear magnetic resonance signal in the uptake process without effect from radiofrequency destruction of the polarization and the dynamics in mouse lung. The uptake behavior is well described by a simple model that depends only on a decay rate constant comprising cerebral blood flow and the longitudinal relaxation rate of HP (129)Xe in the brain tissue. The improved analysis enabled precise determination of the decay rate constant as 0.107+/-0.013 s(-1) (+/-standard deviation, n=5), leading to estimation of longitudinal relaxation time, T(1i), as 15.3+/-3.5 s.

Hyperpolarized 129Xe phase-selective imaging of mouse lung at 9.4T using a continuous-flow hyperpolarizing system

The use of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to regionally evaluate gas diffusion and perfusion processes as well as ventilation in the lung has been expected. In this study, we used a continuous-flow hyperpolarizing (CF-HP) system to acquire gas- and dissolved-phase 129Xe images from mouse lung, employing standard gradient echo sequence equipped with chemical shift selective excitation and 90 degrees flip angle. The character of non-recoverable HP magnetization enabled the use of a phase (frequency)-selective 90 degrees pulse for direct visualization of only a given-phase 129Xe magnetization replenished into the slice during repetition time (TR). We combined gas- and dissolved-phase 129Xe images to map the ratio of dissolved- to gas-phase 129Xe replenished into the slice during TR (Mdissolved/Mgas) and found it to be approximately 0.05 to 0.08 in the peripheral regions of mouse lungs. This result suggested that replenishment of dissolved-phase 129Xe magnetization by gas diffusion and pulmonary perfusion would be faster than that of gas-phase by ventilation. The use of a CF-HP system that allows the application of relatively long TR to HP 129Xe imaging using a phase-selective 90 degrees pulse would be useful in evaluating gas transport mechanisms in the lung.

Agents for polarization enhancement in MRI

The intrinsic low sensitivity of the NMR phenomenon can be overcome thanks to hyperpolarization procedures that break the limits of the Boltzmann equilibrium and may increase the NMR signal by a factor of 10(5). Hyperpolarization procedures have been applied to enhance the signal from noble gases, such as 3He and 129Xe, and small 13C-containing molecules. For the latter class, attention has been focused on the use of methods based on dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and para-hydrogen induced polarization (PHIP). After discussion of the basics of the methods, an overview of the main applications with 13C-containing molecules is presented. This includes pre-clinical MR investigations of vascular imaging, perfusion and catheter tracking as well as molecular imaging protocols that allow the development of highly innovative studies in the field of metabolic imaging.

Functional lung imaging using hyperpolarized gas MRI

The noninvasive assessment of lung function using imaging is increasingly of interest for the study of lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Hyperpolarized gas MRI (HP MRI) has demonstrated the ability to detect changes in ventilation, perfusion, and lung microstructure that appear to be associated with both normal lung development and disease progression. The physical characteristics of HP gases and their application to MRI are presented with an emphasis on current applications. Clinical investigations using HP MRI to study asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pediatric chronic lung disease, and lung transplant are reviewed. Recent advances in polarization, pulse sequence development for imaging with Xe-129, and prototype low magnetic field systems dedicated to lung imaging are highlighted as areas of future development for this rapidly evolving technology.

Diastereomeric Xe chemical shifts in tethered cryptophane cages

Cryptophane cages serve as host molecules to a Xe atom. Functionalization of cryptophane-A has permitted the development of Xe as a biosensor. Synthetic routes used to prepare cryptophanes result in racemic mixtures of the chiral cages. In the preparation of a tethered cryptophane-A cage for biosensor applications, some achiral and chiral substituents such as left-handed amino acids have been used. When the substituent is achiral, the NMR signal of the Xe atom in the functionalized cage in solution is a single isotropic peak, since the Xe shielding tensor components in the R and L cages differ by no more than the signs of the off-diagonal elements. Chiral substituents can split the cage-encapsulated Xe NMR signal into one or more sets of doublets, depending on the number of asymmetric centers in the substituent. We carry out quantum mechanical calculations of Xe nuclear magnetic shielding for the Xe atom at the same strategic position within an L cryptophane-A cage, under the influence of chiral potentials that represent r or l substituents outside the cage. Calculations of the Xe shielding response in the Lr and Ll diastereomeric pairs permit the prediction of the relative order of the Xe chemical shifts in solutions containing the Rl and Ll diastereomers. Where the substituent itself possesses two chiral centers, comparison of the calculated isotropic shielding responses in the Llr, Lrl, Rll, and Lrr systems, respectively, permits the prediction of the Xe spectrum of diastereomeric systems in solutions containing Llr, Rlr, Lll, and Rll systems. Assignment of the peaks observed in the experimental Xe NMR spectra is therefore possible, without having to undertake the difficult synthetic route that produces a single optically pure enantiomer.

Confirming the existence of five peaks in129Xe rat head spectra

A series of experiments were performed to investigate why two peaks (D and E) of the five dissolved phase peaks in hyperpolarized (129)Xe rat head spectra appeared inconsistently in previous work. Specifically, spectra were acquired under conditions of various shim states, anaesthetics, and arterial ligation. The shimming experiments showed that slice-shimming can be used to improve resolution of the dissolved phase peaks, but even so, subtle changes in the shim state that may dramatically alter the shape of peak E remain poorly understood. Also, the inability to shim gas spaces and tissue simultaneously may explain why inconsistent chemical shift values have been reported in the literature. A possible solution for this problem is suggested. The results of pre- and postligation spectra from the same animal indicated that two peaks (A and E) originate from brain. Changing the anaesthetic was found to have no effect on the number of dissolved peaks in xenon spectra.

Potential applications of laser polarised xenon for CBF measurements by NMR

Laser polarised (hyperpolarised) 129Xe offers a new potential way for assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We present the basic physical principles underlying noble gases'laser polarisation. Distinguishing characteristics of 129Xe NMR properties as well as theoretical basis for CBF measurement using laser polarised 129Xe are emphasized. Recent results are briefly presented and potential applications as well as current limitations of 129Xe in CBF studies are discussed.

129Xe spectra from the heads of rats with and without ligation of the external carotid and pterygopalatine arteries

After rats inhaled hyperpolarized (129)Xe gas, in vivo spectra from their heads revealed a dominant peak around 195 ppm, another easily resolvable peak near 189 ppm, a broad peak around 210 ppm, and two minor peaks around 198 ppm and 192 ppm. However, the source of each peak remains controversial. To further study the origin of each peak, we compared spectra obtained from the heads of normal rats with spectra taken from the heads of rats that had undergone ligation of the external carotid (ECA) and pterygopalatine (PPA) arteries, the major feeding vessels of nonbrain tissue in the rat head. The amplitude of the peak at around 189 ppm was greatly reduced in the ECA/PPA-ligated rats, while the peak around 195 ppm persisted. We conclude that the signal that originates from the rat brain after inhalation of (129)Xe gas is overwhelmingly dominated by the single resonance at 195 ppm.

A Method for Measuring the Decay Time of Hyperpolarized 129Xe Magnetization in Rat Brain without Estimation of RF Flip Angles

PURPOSE

The decay time of hyperpolarized 129Xe in brain tissue depends on the cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as the longitudinal relaxation time in the tissue (T(1,tissue)). Therefore, the decay time is an important parameter for investigating the potential of Xe for cerebral studies. Previous attempts to measure the decay time have been performed after correction of the MR signal for the costheta decay induced by multiple radiofrequency (RF) excitation pulses. However, since this method requires accurate knowledge of the RF pulse flip angle, the use of a surface coil is restricted because of its nonuniform RF power, distribution. We present a two-pulse protocol for estimating the decay time without the need for flip-angle estimation and demonstrate it in the rat brain.

METHOD

After rat inhalation of hyperpolarized Xe, two MR spectra of the rat head were obtained at various delay times (4-16 s) and the logarithmic ratio of the two amplitudes was calculated. The decay time was obtained from the slope of the logarithmic ratio against the delay time. The MR measurements were performed with a 4.7T imaging spectrometer with a surface coil located over the head of the anesthetized rat. The gas (25 cc) was smoothly introduced to the lung for 40 s before each measurement began.

RESULT

From 18 experiments on 11 rats, the decay time was estimated to be 17.7+/-1.9 s.

DISCUSSION

Assuming a normal rat CBF value, T(1,tissue) can be estimated from the decay time to be 26+/-4 s.

Xe NMR lineshapes in channels of peptide molecular crystals

To further an understanding of the nature of information available from Xe chemical shifts in cavities in biological systems, it would be advantageous to start with Xe in regular nanochannels that have well known ordered structures built from amino acid units. In this paper, we report the experimental observation of Xe NMR lineshapes in peptide channels, specifically the self-assembled nanochannels of the dipeptide L-Val-L-Ala and its retroanalog L-Ala-L-Val in the crystalline state. We carry out grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of Xe in these channels to provide a physical understanding of the observed Xe lineshapes in these two systems.

Perfusion assessment with bolus differentiation: A technique applicable to hyperpolarized tracers

A new technique for assessing tissue blood flow using hyperpolarized tracers, based on the fact that the magnetization of a hyperpolarized substance can be destroyed permanently, is described. Assessments of blood flow with this technique are inherently insensitive to arterial delay and dispersion, and allow for quantification of the transit time and dispersion in the arteries that supply the investigated tissue. Renal cortical blood flow was studied in six rabbits using a 13C-labeled compound (2-hydroxyethylacrylate) that was polarized by the parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) technique. The renal cortical blood flow was estimated to be 5.7/5.4 +/- 1.6/1.3 ml/min per milliliter of tissue (mean +/- SD, right/left kidney), and the mean transit time and dispersion in the renal arteries were determined to be 1.47/1.42 +/- 0.07/0.07 s and 1.78/1.93 +/- 0.40/0.42 s2, respectively.

Hyperpolarized xenon in NMR and MRI

Hyperpolarized gases have found a steadily increasing range of applications in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and NMR imaging (MRI). They can be regarded as a new class of MR contrast agent or as a way of greatly enhancing the temporal resolution of the measurement of processes relevant to areas as diverse as materials science and biomedicine. We concentrate on the properties and applications of hyperpolarized xenon. This review discusses the physics of producing hyperpolarization, the NMR-relevant properties of 129Xe, specific MRI methods for hyperpolarized gases, applications of xenon to biology and medicine, polarization transfer to other nuclear species and low-field imaging.

Dynamic NMR spectroscopy of hyperpolarized (129)Xe in human brain analyzed by an uptake model

Hyperpolarized (129)Xe (HpXe) NMR not only holds promise for functional lung imaging, but for measurements of tissue perfusion as well. To investigate human brain perfusion, several time-series of (129)Xe MR spectra were recorded from one healthy volunteer after HpXe inhalation. The time-dependent amplitudes of the MR spectra were analyzed by using a compartment model for xenon uptake modified to account for the loss of (129)Xe polarization due to RF-excitation and for the breathhold technique used in the experiments. This analysis suggests that the resonances detected at 196.5 +/- 1 ppm and 193 +/- 1 ppm originate from HpXe dissolved in gray and white matter, respectively, and that T(1) relaxation times of HpXe are different in gray and white matter (T(1g) > T(1w)).

Recent advances in imaging the lungs of intact small animals

A new generation of imaging devices now make it possible to generate both structural and functional images for the study of lung biology in small animals, including common laboratory mouse and rat models. "Micro" X-ray computed tomography and positron emission tomography scanners, highly sensitive cooled charge coupled device cameras for bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging, high magnetic field magnetic resonance imaging scanners, and recent advances in ultrasound system technology can be used to study such diverse processes as ventilation, perfusion, pulmonary hypertension, lung inflammation, and gene transfer, among others. Images from more than one modality can also be fused, allowing structure-function and function-function relationships to be studied on a regional basis. These new instruments, part of an emerging suite of techniques collectively known as "molecular imaging," provide an enormous potential for elucidating lung biology in intact animal models and systems.

Development of a hyperpolarized 129Xe system on 3T for the rat lungs

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with 129Xe has gained much attention as a diagnostic methodology because of its affinity for lipids and possible polarization. The quantitative estimation of net detectability and stability of hyperpolarized 129Xe in the dissolved phase in vivo is valuable to the development of clinical applications. The goal of this study was to develop a stable hyperpolarized 129Xe experimental 3T system to statistically analyze the dissolved-phase 129Xe signal in the rat lungs. The polarization of 129Xe with buffer gases at the optical pumping cell was measured under adiabatic fast passage against the temperature of an oven and laser absorption at the cell. The gases were insufflated into the lungs of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 15, 400-550 g) through an endotracheal tube under spontaneous respiration. Frequency-selective spectroscopy was performed for the gas phase and dissolved phase. We analyzed the 129Xe signal in the dissolved phase to measure the chemical shift, T2*, delay and its ratio in a rat lungs on 3T. The polarizer was able to produce polarized gas (1.1+/-0.47%, 120 cm3) hundreds of times with the laser absorption ratio (25%) kept constant at the cell. The optimal buffer gas ratio of 25-50% rendered the maximum signal in the dissolved phase. Two dominant peaks of 211.8+/-0.9 and 201.1+/-0.6 ppm were observed with a delay of 0.4+/-0.9 and 0.9+/-1.0 s from the gas phase spectra. The ratios of their average signal to that of the gas phase were 5.6+/-5.2% and 4.4+/-4.7%, respectively. The T2* of the air space in the lungs was 2.5+/-0.5 ms, which was 3.8 times shorter than that in a syringe. We developed a hyperpolarized 129Xe experimental system using a 3T MRI scanner that yields sufficient volume and polarization and quantitatively analyzed the dissolved-phase 129Xe signal in the rat lungs.

Cerebral perfusion assessment by bolus tracking using hyperpolarized13C

Cerebral perfusion was assessed with 13C MRI in a rat model after intravenous injections of the 13C-labeled compound bis-1,1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-13C-cyclopropane-D8 in aqueous solutions hyperpolarized by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). Since the tracer acted as a direct signal source, several of the problems associated with techniques based on traditional dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI contrast agents were avoided. Maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT) were calculated. The MTT was determined to be 2.8 +/- 0.8 sec. However, arterial partial-volume effects in the animal model prevented accurate absolute quantification of CBF and CBV. It was demonstrated that depolarization of the hyperpolarized 13C tracer via relaxation and the imaging sequence had little influence on CBF assessment when the time resolution of the imaging sequence was short compared to the MTT. However, CBV and MTT were increasingly underestimated as MTT or the depolarization rate increased if depolarization was not taken into account. With a modified bolus-tracking theory depolarization could be compensated for, assuming that the depolarization rate was known. Three separate compensation methods were investigated experimentally and by numerical simulations.

Exploring lung function with hyperpolarized129Xe nuclear magnetic resonance

With the use of polarization-transfer pulse sequences and hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR, gas exchange in the lung can be measured quantitatively. However, harnessing the inherently high sensitivity of this technique as a tool for exploring lung function requires a fundamental understanding of the xenon gas-exchange and diffusion processes in the lung, and how these may differ between healthy and pathological conditions. Toward this goal, we employed NMR spectroscopy and imaging techniques in animal models to investigate the dependence of the relative xenon gas exchange rate on the inflation level of the lung and the tissue density. The spectroscopic results indicate that gas exchange occurs on a time scale of milliseconds, with an average effective diffusion constant of about 3.3 x 10(-6)cm(2)/s in the lung parenchyma. Polarization-transfer imaging pulse sequences, which were optimized based on the spectroscopic results, detected regionally increased gas-exchange rates in the lung, indicative of increased tissue density secondary to gravitational compression. By exploiting the gas-exchange process in the lung to encode physiologic parameters, these methods may be extended to noninvasive regional assessments of lung-tissue density and the alveolar surface-to-volume ratio, and allow lung pathology to be detected at an earlier stage than is currently possible.

Hyperpolarized 13C MR angiography using trueFISP

A (13)C-enriched water-soluble compound (bis-1,1-(hydroxymethyl)-1-(13)C-cyclopropane-D(8)), with a (13)C-concentration of approximately 200 mM, was hyperpolarized to approximately 15% using dynamic nuclear polarization, and then used as a contrast medium (CM) for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA). The long relaxation times (in vitro: T(1) approximately 82 s, T(2) approximately 18 s; in vivo: T(1) approximately 38 s, T(2) approximately 1.3 s) are ideal for steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging with a true fast imaging and steady precession (trueFISP) pulse sequence. It was shown both theoretically and experimentally that the optimal flip angle was 180 degrees. CE-MRA was performed in four anesthetized live rats after intravenous injection of 3 ml CM. The angiograms covered the thoracic/abdominal region in two of the animals, and the head-neck region in the other two. Fifteen consecutive images were acquired in each experiment, with a flip-back pulse at the end of each image acquisition. In the angiograms, the vena cava (SNR approximately 240), aorta, renal arteries, carotid arteries (SNR approximately 75), jugular veins, and several other vessels were visible. The SNR in the cardiac region was 500. Magnetization was preserved from one image acquisition to the next using the flip-back technique (SNR(cardiac) approximately 10 in the 15th image).

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography: development and optimization of techniques for paramagnetic and hyperpolarized contrast media

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is a diagnostic method for imaging of vascular structures based on nuclear magnetic resonance. Vascular enhancement is achieved by injection of a contrast medium (CM). Studies were performed using two different types of CM: conventional paramagnetic CM, and a new type of CM based on hyperpolarized (HP) nuclei. The effects of varying CM concentration with time during image acquisition were studied by means of computer simulations using two different models. It was shown that a rapid concentration variation during encoding of the central parts of k-space could result in signal loss and severe image artifacts. The results were confirmed qualitatively with phantom experiments. A postprocessing method was developed to address problems with simultaneous enhancement of arteries and veins in CE-MRA of the lower extremities. The method was based on the difference in flow-induced phase in the two vessel types. Evaluation of the method was performed with flow phantom measurements and with CE-MRA in two volunteers using standard pulse sequences. The flow-induced phase in the vessels of interest was sufficient to distinguish arteries from veins in the superior-inferior direction. Using this method, the venous enhancement could be extinguished. The possibility of using HP nuclei as CM for CE-MRA was evaluated. Signal expressions for a flow of HP CM imaged with a gradient echo sequence were derived. These signal expressions were confirmed in phantom experiments using HP 129Xe dissolved in ethanol. Studies were also performed with a new CM based on HP 13C. The CM had very long relaxation times (T1, in vivo/T2, in vivo approximately 38/1.3 s). The long relaxation times were utilized in imaging with a fully balanced steady-state free precession pulse sequence (trueFISP), where the optimal flip angle was found to be 180 degrees. CE-MRA with the 13C-based CM in rats resulted in images with high vascular SNR (approximately 500). CE-MRA is a useful clinical tool for diagnosing vascular disease. With the development of new contrast media, based on hyperpolarized nuclei for example, there is a potential for further improvement in the signal levels that can be achieved, enabling a standard of imaging of vessels that is not possible today.

Fast measurement of relaxation times by steady-state free precession of 129Xe in carrier agents for hyperpolarized noble gases

Hyperpolarized gases ((129)Xe and (3)He) are being used increasingly in both MRI and NMR spectroscopy studies. However, it has been shown that carrier agents are required to preserve the long relaxation times of gases in biological fluids. Optimized gas transport can be achieved through controlled T(1) and T(2) measurements of (129)Xe gas at equilibrium, using the steady-state free precession method (SSFP). The accuracy of the method was proven with the use of CuSO(4)-doped water samples and xenon dissolved in chloroform. The following T(1) and T(2) values were measured for xenon dissolved in a 30% intralipid emulsion: T(1) = 29 +/- 3 s; T(2) = 1.0 +/- 0.1 s. The values obtained in the intralipid emulsion contrast significantly with those obtained in conventional gas NMR experiments, in which it is commonly assumed that T(1) = T(2). This highlights the importance of obtaining accurate relaxation time measurements for medical applications of hyperpolarized gases.

Method to determine in vivo the relaxation time T1 of hyperpolarized xenon in rat brain

The magnetic polarization of the stable (129)Xe isotope may be enhanced dramatically by means of optical techniques and, in principle, hyperpolarized (129)Xe MRI should allow quantitative mapping of cerebral blood flow with better spatial resolution than scintigraphic techniques. A parameter necessary for this quantitation, and not previously known, is the longitudinal relaxation time (T(1) (tissue)) of (129)Xe in brain tissue in vivo: a method for determining this is reported. The time course of the MR signal in the brain during arterial injection of hyperpolarized (129)Xe in a lipid emulsion was analyzed using an extended two-compartment model. The model uses experimentally determined values of the RF flip angle and the T(1) of (129)Xe in the lipid emulsion. Measurements on rats, in vivo, at 2.35 T gave T(1) (tissue) = 3.6 +/- 2.1 sec (+/-SD, n = 6). This method enables quantitative mapping of cerebral blood flow.

Gradient echo imaging of flowing hyperpolarized nuclei: theory and phantom studies on 129Xe dissolved in ethanol

The influence of flip angle and flow velocity on the signal intensity achieved when imaging a hyperpolarized substance with a spoiled gradient echo sequence was investigated. The study was performed both theoretically and experimentally using hyperpolarized xenon dissolved in ethanol. Analytical expressions regarding the optimal flip angle with respect to signal and the corresponding signal level are presented and comparisons with thermally polarized substances are made. Both experimentally and theoretically, the optimal flip angle was found to increase with increasing flow velocity. Numerical calculations showed that the velocity dependence of the signal differs between the cases of hyperpolarized and thermally polarized substances.