Sudeep Chandra - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sudeep Chandra

Research paper thumbnail of Non-invasive molecular tracking method that measures ocular drug distribution in non-human primates

Communications Biology, 2020

Intravitreal (IVT) injection has become the standard route for drug administration in retinal dis... more Intravitreal (IVT) injection has become the standard route for drug administration in retinal diseases. However, the ability to measure biodistribution of ocular therapeutics in large species remains limited, due to the invasive nature of some techniques or their lack of spatial information. The aim of this study was to develop in cynomolgus monkeys a non-invasive fluorescence imaging technology that enables tracking of IVT-dosed drugs and could be easily translated into humans. Here, we show a proof-of-concept for labeled ranibizumab with observed half-lives of 3.34 and 4.52 days at the retina and in the vitreous, respectively. We further investigate a long acting anti-VEGF antibody, which remains as an agglomerate with some material leaking out until the end of the study at Day 35. Overall, we were able to visualize and measure differences in the in vivo behavior between short and long-acting antibodies, demonstrating the power of the technology for ocular pharmacokinetics.

Research paper thumbnail of Encoding velocity information in NMR images by phase tagging

Research paper thumbnail of Extracellular Signal Regulating Kinase Phosphorylation and Diffusion Weighted Imaging: Dual Markers of Infarct Progression

Stroke, 2000

P74 Background: We have previously demonstrated a rapid and transient activation of p38 MAP Kinas... more P74 Background: We have previously demonstrated a rapid and transient activation of p38 MAP Kinase following occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the temporal progression of infarct development following distal and proximal MCAO using phosphorylation of Extracellular Signal Regulating Kinase (phospho-ERK) and MRI signatures. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (NTR) rats underwent either distal or proximal MCAO (n = 4–9/group). ERK activation was evaluated using western blots and immunohistochemistry in both ischemic and non-ischemic cortices at several time points. Imaging of infarct development was assessed by single slice analyses at several time points between 60–180min and again at 24h using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and gadolinium (Gd) enhanced bolus perfusion. Results: Following distal MCAO in SHR, ERK activation, in the ischemic cortex peaked at 15min (6.5±1.8 fold over sham-operated cortex...

Research paper thumbnail of SB 234551 improves cortical collateral perfusion following permanent MCAO in the rat

Image Analyses: The perfusion delay index (PDI) was calculated from the 4 ipsilateral areas and t... more Image Analyses: The perfusion delay index (PDI) was calculated from the 4 ipsilateral areas and their corresponding contralateral counterparts using the DWI image as a reference. Of these four areas, three were chosen in the cortical region and one in the striatal region. The PDI index was defined as a ratio of the mean signal intensity in the ipsilateral area to that in the contralateral counterpart and expressed as a percentage. This calculation was done only at that instance of time when the contrast uptake was maximal in the contralateral hemisphere. Analysis of variance was used followed by appropriate post-hoc comparisons with p<0.05 considered significant. Results A representative graph showing the perfusion delay index (PDI) at one cortical region is shown in Fig 1. In all the three cortical regions evaluated, we found significant differences between vehicle and 10 ug/kg/min SB-234551 group in the perfusion delay index (PDI). The 3 ug/kg/min group did not show a significa...

Research paper thumbnail of Application of High Resolution Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Monitor a Rodent Model of Cardiac Dysfunction

Spatially Resolved Magnetic Resonance

Research paper thumbnail of MRI in Preclinical Drug Development

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2006

This chapter outlines the challenges that the pharmaceutical industry faces during the course of ... more This chapter outlines the challenges that the pharmaceutical industry faces during the course of drug development and discusses the role of magnetic resonance imaging in preclinical drug discovery.

Research paper thumbnail of Brain MRI and Neurological Deficit Measurements in Focal Stroke: Rapid Throughput Validated with Isradipine

Pharmacology, 2007

Isradipine, a calcium channel blocker, provides consistent protection of the brain from injury an... more Isradipine, a calcium channel blocker, provides consistent protection of the brain from injury and reduces neurological deficits produced by ischemic stroke in hypertensive rats. In these experiments, isradipine was utilized to cross-validate both the serial MRI measurement of brain infarctions with histology measurements and to validate a series of simple neurological deficit tests in order to establish a more rapid, higher throughput approach to screening compounds for utility in stroke. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with vehicle, or 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg isradipine and middle cerebral artery occlusion. T(2)-weighted MRI image analysis was compared to standard triphenyltetrazolium chloride-stained histological image analysis of brain sections to quantify isradipine neuroprotection 1, 3, and 30 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO; stroke). In addition, serial evaluation (i.e. 1, 2, 5, 12, 20 and 30 days after MCAO) of four simple neurobehavioral tests were completed for each animal. Tests included assessment of hindlimb and forelimb function, and balance beam and proprioception performance. At 1, 3 and 30 days there was a significant positive correlation of the percent hemispheric infarct for T(2)-weighted MRI and histology (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Practically identical isradipine dose-response neuroprotection curves were observed for both measurement procedures. Isradipine produced a dose-related reduction in all neurological deficits scored by the four neurological deficit tests (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, a significant time-related recovery from neurological deficits in vehicle-treated rats was observed (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The four different neurological deficit tests did provide unique time-related profiles of neurological recovery. The present study validates the use of serial MRI in experimental stroke and establishes several simple neurological tests that can be used to measure neurological/behavioral deficits associated with brain injury and brain recovery of function over time. Under these conditions, T(2)-weighted MRI and neurological testing required only about 10 min each per animal, thus providing rapid data collection and analysis and requiring reduced scientific personnel.

Research paper thumbnail of Stroke-prone rats exhibit prolonged behavioral deficits without increased brain injury: an indication of disrupted post-stroke brain recovery of function

Neuroscience Letters, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Strain-dependent response to cerebral ischemic preconditioning: differences between spontaneously hypertensive and stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Neuroscience Letters, 2003

Research paper thumbnail of Application of reduced-encoding imaging with generalized-series reconstruction (RIGR) in dynamic MR imaging

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 1996

Dynamic MRI has proven to be an important tool in studies of transient physiologic changes in ani... more Dynamic MRI has proven to be an important tool in studies of transient physiologic changes in animals and humans. High sensitivity and temporal resolution in such measurements are critical for accurate estimation of dynamic information. Fast imaging, often involving expensive hardware, has evolved for use in such cases. We demonstrate herein the possibility of accelerated data acquisition schemes on conventional machines using standard pulse sequences for dynamic studies. This is achieved by combining reduced-encoded dynamic data (typically 30 to 40 phase encodings) with a priori high-resolution data via a novel constrained image reconstruction algorithm. Such an approach reduces image acquisition time significantly b y a factor of 3 to 4 in the examples described here) without loss in the accuracy of information. Index terms: Dynamic MR imaging * Fast imaging Image reconstrur tion * Reduced enroding imaging JMEl19B6: 6:783-797 Abbreviations: BOLD = hlood oxygen level dependent, FLASH = fast lowangle shot, FFT = fast Fourier transform, FOV = field of view. $T = Fourier transform. GS = generalized serics. LL = Look-Locker, R J = radiorrequency, RIGR = reduced-encoding imaging with generalized-serirs reconstruction, SEM = standard error of the mean, SNR = signal-to-noise ratlo.

Research paper thumbnail of PKC- -Deficient Mice Are Protected from Th1-Dependent Antigen-Induced Arthritis

The Journal of Immunology, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Evaluation of the Efficacy of SB 217242 in Neointimal Formation

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 1998

Con t en ts : I.Analytical Description of Free Economic Zones.-II. The Political Economy of the F... more Con t en ts : I.Analytical Description of Free Economic Zones.-II. The Political Economy of the Free Economic Zones.-III. Welfare Effects of Free Economic Zones.-IV. Free Economic Zones for Other Industries ? V. Summary and Conclusions.

Research paper thumbnail of SB 234551 selective ETA receptor antagonism: Perfusion/Diffusion MRI used to define treatable stroke model, time to treatment and mechanism of protection

Experimental Neurology, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Eprosartan reduces cardiac hypertrophy, protects heart and kidney, and prevents early mortality in severely hypertensive stroke-prone rats

Cardiovascular Research, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of SB 239063, a novel p38 inhibitor, attenuates early neuronal injury following ischemia

Brain Research, 2001

The aim of the present study was to evaluate p38 MAPK activation following focal stroke and deter... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate p38 MAPK activation following focal stroke and determine whether SB 239063, a novel second generation p38 inhibitor, would directly attenuate early neuronal injury. Following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), brains were dissected into ischemic and non-ischemic cortices and Western blots were employed to measure p38 MAPK activation. Neurologic deficit and MR imaging were utilized at various time points following MCAO to monitor the development and resolution of brain injury. Following MCAO, there was an early (15 min) activation of p38 MAPK (2.3-fold) which remained elevated up to 1 h (1.8-fold) post injury compared to non-ischemic and sham operated tissue. Oral SB 239063 (5, 15, 30, 60 mg/kg) administered to each animal 1 h pre- and 6 h post MCAO provided significant (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) dose-related neuroprotection reducing infarct size by 42, 48, 29 and 14%, respectively. The most effective dose (15 mg/kg) was further evaluated in detail and SB 239063 significantly (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) reduced neurologic deficit and infarct size by at least 30% from 24 h through at least 1 week. Early (i.e. observed within 2 h) reductions in diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) intensity following treatment with SB 239063 correlated (r=0.74, P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01) to neuroprotection seen up to 7 days post stroke. Since increased protein levels for various pro-inflammatory cytokines cannot be detected prior to 2 h in this stroke model, the early improvements due to p38 inhibition, observed using DWI, demonstrate that p38 inhibition can be neuroprotective through direct effects on ischemic brain cells, in addition to effects on inflammation.

Research paper thumbnail of Perspectives on molecular and anatomical imaging in drug discovery

Research paper thumbnail of Application of Surface Roughness Analysis on Micro–Computed Tomographic Images of Bone Erosion: Examples Using a Rodent Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Research paper thumbnail of Imaging B cells in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis using 64 Cu-Rituximab-PET

Journal of Nuclear Medicine

B lymphocytes are a key pathologic feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and are becoming an importa... more B lymphocytes are a key pathologic feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and are becoming an important therapeutic target for this condition. Currently, there is no approved technique to noninvasively visualize B cells in the central nervous system (CNS) to monitor MS disease progression and response to therapies. Here, we evaluated 64 Curituximab, a radiolabeled antibody specifically targeting the human B cell marker CD20, for its ability to image B cells in a mouse model of MS using PET. Methods: To model CNS infiltration by B cells, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in transgenic mice that express human CD20 on B cells. EAE mice were given subcutaneous injections of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein fragment 1-125 emulsified in complete Freund adjuvant. Control mice received complete Freund adjuvant alone. PET imaging of EAE and control mice was performed 1, 4, and 19 h after 64 Cu-rituximab administration. Mice were perfused and sacrificed after the final PET scan, and radioactivity in dissected tissues was measured with a g-counter. CNS tissues from these mice were immunostained to quantify B cells or were further analyzed via digital autoradiography. Results: Lumbar spinal cord PET signal was significantly higher in EAE mice than in controls at all evaluated time points (e.g., 1 h after injection: 5.44 6 0.37 vs. 3.33 6 0.20 percentage injected dose [%ID]/g, P , 0.05). 64 Cu-rituximab PET signal in brain regions ranged between 1.74 6 0.11 and 2.93 6 0.15 %ID/g for EAE mice, compared with 1.25 6 0.08 and 2.24 6 0.11 %ID/g for controls (P , 0.05 for all regions except striatum and thalamus at 1 h after injection). Similarly, ex vivo biodistribution results revealed notably higher 64 Cu-rituximab uptake in the brain and spinal cord of huCD20tg EAE, and B220 immunostaining verified that increased 64 Cu-rituximab uptake in CNS tissues corresponded with elevated B cells. Conclusion: B cells can be detected in the CNS of EAE mice using 64 Cu-rituximab PET. Results from these studies warrant further investigation of 64 Cu-rituximab in EAE models and consideration of use in MS patients to evaluate its potential for detecting and monitoring B cells in the progression and treatment of this disease. These results represent an initial step toward generating a platform to evaluate B cell-targeted therapeutics en route to the clinic.

Research paper thumbnail of Use of diffusion-weighted MRI and neurological deficit scores to demonstrate beneficial effects of isradipine in a rat model of focal ischemia

…, 1999

The neuroprotective effects of isradipine, a 2,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, has bee... more The neuroprotective effects of isradipine, a 2,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, has been well studied in the rat model of focal ischemia (induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAO). The present study was designed to evaluate whether isradipine pretreatment caused early (0-3 h after stroke) ischemic changes in diffusion- weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and if such changes were predictive of previously documented protection in brain infarction. An initial dose-response study using neurological deficit scores and estimates of protection from brain infarction (by histology) showed that isradipine reduced cortical infarctions compared to vehicle-treated animals at most doses (between 1.25 and 5 mg/kg/day s.c. for 6 days) with the best results obtained at 5 mg/kg/day, where a 78.5% reduction was observed. This dose was utilized to perform the DWI study. Early quantitative estimates of infarct size, as measured by DWI at 1, 2 and 3 h after MCAO, were similar to those obtained with late histology at 24 h. These data indicate that in pretreatment protocols, DWI can be used to quantitatively predict areas at risk of permanent damage. This work also demonstrates that neurological deficits, developing from the damaged forebrain following focal stroke, may provide an index of isradipine&amp;amp;#39;s neuroprotective activity.

Research paper thumbnail of Application of in vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of tranilast on neointima formation following balloon angioplasty of the rat carotid artery

Cardiovascular Research, 2000

Recent studies suggest that tranilast inhibits a variety of agents implicated in neointimal growt... more Recent studies suggest that tranilast inhibits a variety of agents implicated in neointimal growth and restenosis in experimental animal models and humans. We report here a study evaluating the efficacy of tranilast in the rat carotid artery balloon angioplasty model, a model that mimics many aspects of the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedure in humans. Efficacy was determined based on in vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as by histomorphometry. The utility of this study, using a reverse paradigm, is to investigate if agents successful in the clinic can demonstrate efficacy in this animal model primary screen as measured by MRI and histomorphometry. Tranilast (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats 3 days prior to balloon injury and continued for 14 days after injury. Three methods of measuring the vascular injury that occurs in this model were employed: (1) in vivo MRI, used to measure in vivo lumen volumes for the carotid artery once at baseline (pre-surgery) and again at 14 days post angioplasty; (2) ex vivo MRI (and histomorphometry), used to evaluate the total arterial wall thickness and the intima-to-media ratio; and (3) analysis of collagen density, used to evaluate the efficacy of tranilast to abrogate collagen synthesis and deposition following vascular injury. Tranilast provided 33% protection (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) from angioplasty-induced lumen narrowing as measured by MRI in vivo. The results of the ex vivo MR analysis of total wall thickness showed a 14% protection of angioplasty-induced narrowing (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), and the mean intima-to-media ratio showed a 39% (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.006) protection for the tranilast-treated rats. Histological analysis of the mean intima-to-media ratio demonstrated that tranilast provided 36% (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0. 01) protection in the intima-to-media ratio. Further, treatment with tranilast showed a 52% reduction in collagen density of the intimal layer and a 70% reduction in collagen density of the medial layer of the injured arteries. The data obtained by in vivo MRI, ex vivo MRI, histology and collagen analysis demonstrate that tranilast provided significant beneficial effects in inhibiting neointimal formation in the rat carotid artery model. Also this study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to harness complimentary information from various technologies, including lumen patency by in vivo MRI, neointimal formation by ex vivo MRI and conventional histomorphometry, and histological analysis for collagen density, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathology in this disease model.

Research paper thumbnail of Non-invasive molecular tracking method that measures ocular drug distribution in non-human primates

Communications Biology, 2020

Intravitreal (IVT) injection has become the standard route for drug administration in retinal dis... more Intravitreal (IVT) injection has become the standard route for drug administration in retinal diseases. However, the ability to measure biodistribution of ocular therapeutics in large species remains limited, due to the invasive nature of some techniques or their lack of spatial information. The aim of this study was to develop in cynomolgus monkeys a non-invasive fluorescence imaging technology that enables tracking of IVT-dosed drugs and could be easily translated into humans. Here, we show a proof-of-concept for labeled ranibizumab with observed half-lives of 3.34 and 4.52 days at the retina and in the vitreous, respectively. We further investigate a long acting anti-VEGF antibody, which remains as an agglomerate with some material leaking out until the end of the study at Day 35. Overall, we were able to visualize and measure differences in the in vivo behavior between short and long-acting antibodies, demonstrating the power of the technology for ocular pharmacokinetics.

Research paper thumbnail of Encoding velocity information in NMR images by phase tagging

Research paper thumbnail of Extracellular Signal Regulating Kinase Phosphorylation and Diffusion Weighted Imaging: Dual Markers of Infarct Progression

Stroke, 2000

P74 Background: We have previously demonstrated a rapid and transient activation of p38 MAP Kinas... more P74 Background: We have previously demonstrated a rapid and transient activation of p38 MAP Kinase following occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the temporal progression of infarct development following distal and proximal MCAO using phosphorylation of Extracellular Signal Regulating Kinase (phospho-ERK) and MRI signatures. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (NTR) rats underwent either distal or proximal MCAO (n = 4–9/group). ERK activation was evaluated using western blots and immunohistochemistry in both ischemic and non-ischemic cortices at several time points. Imaging of infarct development was assessed by single slice analyses at several time points between 60–180min and again at 24h using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and gadolinium (Gd) enhanced bolus perfusion. Results: Following distal MCAO in SHR, ERK activation, in the ischemic cortex peaked at 15min (6.5±1.8 fold over sham-operated cortex...

Research paper thumbnail of SB 234551 improves cortical collateral perfusion following permanent MCAO in the rat

Image Analyses: The perfusion delay index (PDI) was calculated from the 4 ipsilateral areas and t... more Image Analyses: The perfusion delay index (PDI) was calculated from the 4 ipsilateral areas and their corresponding contralateral counterparts using the DWI image as a reference. Of these four areas, three were chosen in the cortical region and one in the striatal region. The PDI index was defined as a ratio of the mean signal intensity in the ipsilateral area to that in the contralateral counterpart and expressed as a percentage. This calculation was done only at that instance of time when the contrast uptake was maximal in the contralateral hemisphere. Analysis of variance was used followed by appropriate post-hoc comparisons with p<0.05 considered significant. Results A representative graph showing the perfusion delay index (PDI) at one cortical region is shown in Fig 1. In all the three cortical regions evaluated, we found significant differences between vehicle and 10 ug/kg/min SB-234551 group in the perfusion delay index (PDI). The 3 ug/kg/min group did not show a significa...

Research paper thumbnail of Application of High Resolution Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Monitor a Rodent Model of Cardiac Dysfunction

Spatially Resolved Magnetic Resonance

Research paper thumbnail of MRI in Preclinical Drug Development

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2006

This chapter outlines the challenges that the pharmaceutical industry faces during the course of ... more This chapter outlines the challenges that the pharmaceutical industry faces during the course of drug development and discusses the role of magnetic resonance imaging in preclinical drug discovery.

Research paper thumbnail of Brain MRI and Neurological Deficit Measurements in Focal Stroke: Rapid Throughput Validated with Isradipine

Pharmacology, 2007

Isradipine, a calcium channel blocker, provides consistent protection of the brain from injury an... more Isradipine, a calcium channel blocker, provides consistent protection of the brain from injury and reduces neurological deficits produced by ischemic stroke in hypertensive rats. In these experiments, isradipine was utilized to cross-validate both the serial MRI measurement of brain infarctions with histology measurements and to validate a series of simple neurological deficit tests in order to establish a more rapid, higher throughput approach to screening compounds for utility in stroke. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with vehicle, or 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg isradipine and middle cerebral artery occlusion. T(2)-weighted MRI image analysis was compared to standard triphenyltetrazolium chloride-stained histological image analysis of brain sections to quantify isradipine neuroprotection 1, 3, and 30 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO; stroke). In addition, serial evaluation (i.e. 1, 2, 5, 12, 20 and 30 days after MCAO) of four simple neurobehavioral tests were completed for each animal. Tests included assessment of hindlimb and forelimb function, and balance beam and proprioception performance. At 1, 3 and 30 days there was a significant positive correlation of the percent hemispheric infarct for T(2)-weighted MRI and histology (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Practically identical isradipine dose-response neuroprotection curves were observed for both measurement procedures. Isradipine produced a dose-related reduction in all neurological deficits scored by the four neurological deficit tests (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, a significant time-related recovery from neurological deficits in vehicle-treated rats was observed (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). The four different neurological deficit tests did provide unique time-related profiles of neurological recovery. The present study validates the use of serial MRI in experimental stroke and establishes several simple neurological tests that can be used to measure neurological/behavioral deficits associated with brain injury and brain recovery of function over time. Under these conditions, T(2)-weighted MRI and neurological testing required only about 10 min each per animal, thus providing rapid data collection and analysis and requiring reduced scientific personnel.

Research paper thumbnail of Stroke-prone rats exhibit prolonged behavioral deficits without increased brain injury: an indication of disrupted post-stroke brain recovery of function

Neuroscience Letters, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Strain-dependent response to cerebral ischemic preconditioning: differences between spontaneously hypertensive and stroke prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Neuroscience Letters, 2003

Research paper thumbnail of Application of reduced-encoding imaging with generalized-series reconstruction (RIGR) in dynamic MR imaging

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 1996

Dynamic MRI has proven to be an important tool in studies of transient physiologic changes in ani... more Dynamic MRI has proven to be an important tool in studies of transient physiologic changes in animals and humans. High sensitivity and temporal resolution in such measurements are critical for accurate estimation of dynamic information. Fast imaging, often involving expensive hardware, has evolved for use in such cases. We demonstrate herein the possibility of accelerated data acquisition schemes on conventional machines using standard pulse sequences for dynamic studies. This is achieved by combining reduced-encoded dynamic data (typically 30 to 40 phase encodings) with a priori high-resolution data via a novel constrained image reconstruction algorithm. Such an approach reduces image acquisition time significantly b y a factor of 3 to 4 in the examples described here) without loss in the accuracy of information. Index terms: Dynamic MR imaging * Fast imaging Image reconstrur tion * Reduced enroding imaging JMEl19B6: 6:783-797 Abbreviations: BOLD = hlood oxygen level dependent, FLASH = fast lowangle shot, FFT = fast Fourier transform, FOV = field of view. $T = Fourier transform. GS = generalized serics. LL = Look-Locker, R J = radiorrequency, RIGR = reduced-encoding imaging with generalized-serirs reconstruction, SEM = standard error of the mean, SNR = signal-to-noise ratlo.

Research paper thumbnail of PKC- -Deficient Mice Are Protected from Th1-Dependent Antigen-Induced Arthritis

The Journal of Immunology, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Evaluation of the Efficacy of SB 217242 in Neointimal Formation

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 1998

Con t en ts : I.Analytical Description of Free Economic Zones.-II. The Political Economy of the F... more Con t en ts : I.Analytical Description of Free Economic Zones.-II. The Political Economy of the Free Economic Zones.-III. Welfare Effects of Free Economic Zones.-IV. Free Economic Zones for Other Industries ? V. Summary and Conclusions.

Research paper thumbnail of SB 234551 selective ETA receptor antagonism: Perfusion/Diffusion MRI used to define treatable stroke model, time to treatment and mechanism of protection

Experimental Neurology, 2008

Research paper thumbnail of Eprosartan reduces cardiac hypertrophy, protects heart and kidney, and prevents early mortality in severely hypertensive stroke-prone rats

Cardiovascular Research, 2001

Research paper thumbnail of SB 239063, a novel p38 inhibitor, attenuates early neuronal injury following ischemia

Brain Research, 2001

The aim of the present study was to evaluate p38 MAPK activation following focal stroke and deter... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate p38 MAPK activation following focal stroke and determine whether SB 239063, a novel second generation p38 inhibitor, would directly attenuate early neuronal injury. Following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), brains were dissected into ischemic and non-ischemic cortices and Western blots were employed to measure p38 MAPK activation. Neurologic deficit and MR imaging were utilized at various time points following MCAO to monitor the development and resolution of brain injury. Following MCAO, there was an early (15 min) activation of p38 MAPK (2.3-fold) which remained elevated up to 1 h (1.8-fold) post injury compared to non-ischemic and sham operated tissue. Oral SB 239063 (5, 15, 30, 60 mg/kg) administered to each animal 1 h pre- and 6 h post MCAO provided significant (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) dose-related neuroprotection reducing infarct size by 42, 48, 29 and 14%, respectively. The most effective dose (15 mg/kg) was further evaluated in detail and SB 239063 significantly (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) reduced neurologic deficit and infarct size by at least 30% from 24 h through at least 1 week. Early (i.e. observed within 2 h) reductions in diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) intensity following treatment with SB 239063 correlated (r=0.74, P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01) to neuroprotection seen up to 7 days post stroke. Since increased protein levels for various pro-inflammatory cytokines cannot be detected prior to 2 h in this stroke model, the early improvements due to p38 inhibition, observed using DWI, demonstrate that p38 inhibition can be neuroprotective through direct effects on ischemic brain cells, in addition to effects on inflammation.

Research paper thumbnail of Perspectives on molecular and anatomical imaging in drug discovery

Research paper thumbnail of Application of Surface Roughness Analysis on Micro–Computed Tomographic Images of Bone Erosion: Examples Using a Rodent Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Research paper thumbnail of Imaging B cells in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis using 64 Cu-Rituximab-PET

Journal of Nuclear Medicine

B lymphocytes are a key pathologic feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and are becoming an importa... more B lymphocytes are a key pathologic feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) and are becoming an important therapeutic target for this condition. Currently, there is no approved technique to noninvasively visualize B cells in the central nervous system (CNS) to monitor MS disease progression and response to therapies. Here, we evaluated 64 Curituximab, a radiolabeled antibody specifically targeting the human B cell marker CD20, for its ability to image B cells in a mouse model of MS using PET. Methods: To model CNS infiltration by B cells, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in transgenic mice that express human CD20 on B cells. EAE mice were given subcutaneous injections of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein fragment 1-125 emulsified in complete Freund adjuvant. Control mice received complete Freund adjuvant alone. PET imaging of EAE and control mice was performed 1, 4, and 19 h after 64 Cu-rituximab administration. Mice were perfused and sacrificed after the final PET scan, and radioactivity in dissected tissues was measured with a g-counter. CNS tissues from these mice were immunostained to quantify B cells or were further analyzed via digital autoradiography. Results: Lumbar spinal cord PET signal was significantly higher in EAE mice than in controls at all evaluated time points (e.g., 1 h after injection: 5.44 6 0.37 vs. 3.33 6 0.20 percentage injected dose [%ID]/g, P , 0.05). 64 Cu-rituximab PET signal in brain regions ranged between 1.74 6 0.11 and 2.93 6 0.15 %ID/g for EAE mice, compared with 1.25 6 0.08 and 2.24 6 0.11 %ID/g for controls (P , 0.05 for all regions except striatum and thalamus at 1 h after injection). Similarly, ex vivo biodistribution results revealed notably higher 64 Cu-rituximab uptake in the brain and spinal cord of huCD20tg EAE, and B220 immunostaining verified that increased 64 Cu-rituximab uptake in CNS tissues corresponded with elevated B cells. Conclusion: B cells can be detected in the CNS of EAE mice using 64 Cu-rituximab PET. Results from these studies warrant further investigation of 64 Cu-rituximab in EAE models and consideration of use in MS patients to evaluate its potential for detecting and monitoring B cells in the progression and treatment of this disease. These results represent an initial step toward generating a platform to evaluate B cell-targeted therapeutics en route to the clinic.

Research paper thumbnail of Use of diffusion-weighted MRI and neurological deficit scores to demonstrate beneficial effects of isradipine in a rat model of focal ischemia

…, 1999

The neuroprotective effects of isradipine, a 2,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, has bee... more The neuroprotective effects of isradipine, a 2,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, has been well studied in the rat model of focal ischemia (induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAO). The present study was designed to evaluate whether isradipine pretreatment caused early (0-3 h after stroke) ischemic changes in diffusion- weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and if such changes were predictive of previously documented protection in brain infarction. An initial dose-response study using neurological deficit scores and estimates of protection from brain infarction (by histology) showed that isradipine reduced cortical infarctions compared to vehicle-treated animals at most doses (between 1.25 and 5 mg/kg/day s.c. for 6 days) with the best results obtained at 5 mg/kg/day, where a 78.5% reduction was observed. This dose was utilized to perform the DWI study. Early quantitative estimates of infarct size, as measured by DWI at 1, 2 and 3 h after MCAO, were similar to those obtained with late histology at 24 h. These data indicate that in pretreatment protocols, DWI can be used to quantitatively predict areas at risk of permanent damage. This work also demonstrates that neurological deficits, developing from the damaged forebrain following focal stroke, may provide an index of isradipine&amp;amp;#39;s neuroprotective activity.

Research paper thumbnail of Application of in vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of tranilast on neointima formation following balloon angioplasty of the rat carotid artery

Cardiovascular Research, 2000

Recent studies suggest that tranilast inhibits a variety of agents implicated in neointimal growt... more Recent studies suggest that tranilast inhibits a variety of agents implicated in neointimal growth and restenosis in experimental animal models and humans. We report here a study evaluating the efficacy of tranilast in the rat carotid artery balloon angioplasty model, a model that mimics many aspects of the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedure in humans. Efficacy was determined based on in vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as by histomorphometry. The utility of this study, using a reverse paradigm, is to investigate if agents successful in the clinic can demonstrate efficacy in this animal model primary screen as measured by MRI and histomorphometry. Tranilast (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats 3 days prior to balloon injury and continued for 14 days after injury. Three methods of measuring the vascular injury that occurs in this model were employed: (1) in vivo MRI, used to measure in vivo lumen volumes for the carotid artery once at baseline (pre-surgery) and again at 14 days post angioplasty; (2) ex vivo MRI (and histomorphometry), used to evaluate the total arterial wall thickness and the intima-to-media ratio; and (3) analysis of collagen density, used to evaluate the efficacy of tranilast to abrogate collagen synthesis and deposition following vascular injury. Tranilast provided 33% protection (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) from angioplasty-induced lumen narrowing as measured by MRI in vivo. The results of the ex vivo MR analysis of total wall thickness showed a 14% protection of angioplasty-induced narrowing (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), and the mean intima-to-media ratio showed a 39% (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.006) protection for the tranilast-treated rats. Histological analysis of the mean intima-to-media ratio demonstrated that tranilast provided 36% (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0. 01) protection in the intima-to-media ratio. Further, treatment with tranilast showed a 52% reduction in collagen density of the intimal layer and a 70% reduction in collagen density of the medial layer of the injured arteries. The data obtained by in vivo MRI, ex vivo MRI, histology and collagen analysis demonstrate that tranilast provided significant beneficial effects in inhibiting neointimal formation in the rat carotid artery model. Also this study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to harness complimentary information from various technologies, including lumen patency by in vivo MRI, neointimal formation by ex vivo MRI and conventional histomorphometry, and histological analysis for collagen density, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathology in this disease model.