Imaging Inflammation – From Whole Body Imaging to Cellular Resolution

Abstract

Imaging techniques have evolved impressively lately, allowing whole new concepts like multimodal imaging, personal medicine, theranostic therapies, and molecular imaging to increase general awareness of possiblities of imaging to medicine field. Here, we have collected the selected (3D) imaging modalities and evaluated the recent findings on preclinical and clinical inflammation imaging. The focus has been on the feasibility of imaging to aid in inflammation precision medicine, and the key challenges and opportunities of the imaging modalities are presented. Some examples of the current usage in clinics/close to clinics have been brought out as an example. This review evaluates the future prospects of the imaging technologies for clinical applications in precision medicine from the pre-clinical development point of view.

Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation in Sarcopenia: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Update

“…US, DXA, and MRI have their own perks; nevertheless, US could become a gold standard for diagnosis and follow-up in sarcopenia due to its low cost and almost universal use in clinical practice. Tool Advantages Disadvantages Biopsy [ 131 , 155 , 156 ] Morphological, cellular, and biochemical features in muscle Biobanking practices, tissue manipulation, and individual patient characterization Invasive technique Contraindicated in high-risk complication patients Patient discomfort Possible poor sample size DXA [ 134 , 135 ] Relatively cheap, compared with CT or MRI Rapid technique, noninvasive Allows the visualization of different body compartments (bone or soft tissue) Lower radiation exposure compared to other tools such as CT Hydration and tissue thickness can alter muscle measurement Even low-radiation exposure needs to be considered No portability Variations in muscle mass due to mathematical equations and algorithms MRI [ 157 , 158 , 159 ] Gold standard for imaging sarcopenia No ionizing irradiation Capable of analyzing images after scanning DNP variation can detect the REDOX state in muscle High cost Zero portability and not always available in hospitals and clinics Restricted accessibility for some people, such as frail individuals or individuals with metal/electronic devices implanted Image interpretation by a health professional Ultrasound [ 128 , 129 , 142 , 145 , 146 , 148 , 160 ] Non invasive A set of US parameters can be used as biomarkers for sarcopenia No ionizing irradiation Low cost ...…”

Large area robotically assisted optical coherence tomography (LARA-OCT) for skin imaging with MHz-OCT surface tracking

“…Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful imaging technique to visualize and localize depth-dependent tissue structures to differentiate between healthy skin and pathological conditions, such as inflammatory skin diseases [1]. Here, it is particularly valuable as, in contrast to skin biopsy, it is non-invasive and can provide instant diagnostic results [2].…”

Exploring the Usability of α-MSH-SM-Liposome as an Imaging Agent to Study Biodegradable Bone Implants In Vivo

“…Some in vivo markers monitor disease-related inflammatory activity such as collagen-induced arthritis or biomaterial-associated infection in murine models [ 33 , 34 ]. These commercial fluorescent markers, which are available for analyzing early immune reactions, still unfortunately target general or sterile inflammation instead of much-required localized inflammation [ 35 , 36 ]. Non-invasive optical in vivo imaging offers the potential to detect macrophages at the local inflammation site.…”