Quantitative Lymphatic Imaging Using Deuterated Particle Imaging

Motivation: Imaging the lymphatic system remains challenging due to its complex structure and limited accessibility. Achieving non-invasive, quantitative imaging at sufficient depth is demanding with current techniques. Goal(s): To assess whether deuterated nano-polymers could serve as minimally invasive tracers for quantitative mapping of inflammatory activity via high-field 2H MRI. Approach: Deuterated PAMAM dendrimers were synthesized and mapped by 2H MRI at 15.2 T with a CSI-SSFP sequence on a rodent inflammation model. Results: Deuterated Particle Imaging (DPI) targeting nano-polymers with 2H MRI can identify inflammation sites post systemic administration, through hotspot MRI mapping of lymphatic uptake. Impact: This innovative technique enhances research in inflammation and immune response by providing quantitative insights into physiological processes. It could advance our understanding of lymph node activity in vivo through deuterium MRI combined with deuterated nano-polymers in an inflammatory rodent model.