Preclinical detection of liver fibrosis using dual-modality photoacoustic/ultrasound system

PJ van den Berg, R Bansal, K Daoudi… - Biomedical optics …, 2016 - opg.optica.org
PJ van den Berg, R Bansal, K Daoudi, W Steenbergen, J Prakash
Biomedical optics express, 2016opg.optica.org
Liver fibrosis is a major cause for increasing mortality worldwide. Preclinical research using
animal models is required for the discovery of new anti-fibrotic therapies, but currently relies
on endpoint liver histology. In this study, we investigated a cost-effective and portable
photoacoustic/ultrasound (PA/US) imaging system as a potential non-invasive alternative.
Fibrosis was induced in mice using CCl_4 followed by liver imaging and histological
analysis. Imaging showed significantly increased PA features with higher frequency signals …
Liver fibrosis is a major cause for increasing mortality worldwide. Preclinical research using animal models is required for the discovery of new anti-fibrotic therapies, but currently relies on endpoint liver histology. In this study, we investigated a cost-effective and portable photoacoustic/ultrasound (PA/US) imaging system as a potential non-invasive alternative. Fibrosis was induced in mice using CCl_4 followed by liver imaging and histological analysis. Imaging showed significantly increased PA features with higher frequency signals in fibrotic livers versus healthy livers. This corresponds to more heterogeneous liver structure resulting from collagen deposition and angiogenesis. Importantly, PA response and its frequency were highly correlated with histological parameters. These results demonstrate the preclinical feasibility of the PA imaging approach and applicability of dual PA/US system.
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