Photoacoustic/ultrasonic dual-mode imaging for monitoring angiogenesis and synovial erosion in rheumatoid arthritis
Zhen Wang, Zhen Wang, Zhuangzhuang Tong, Hongjiang Chen, Guangshuai Nie, Jia Hu, Jia Hu, Weiyang Liu, Erqi Wang, Bo Yuan, Zhiyang Wang, Zhiyang Wang, Jun Hu, Jun Hu
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the formation of new vessels, synovial proliferation and destruction of articular cartilage. However, characteristic early diagnostic and therapeutic monitoring methods are still lacking. We report a study using a photoacoustic/ultrasound (PA/US) dual-mode imaging for RA disease. By establishing a collagen-induced (CIA) RA mouse model to classify disease states based on a subjective grading system, PA/US imaging allows real-time assessment of synovial erosion and vascular opacification within the knee joint in different disease states at high spatial resolution. The system also quantitatively monitors subcutaneous vascular physiology and morphology in the hind paw of mice, measuring the area and photoacoustic signal intensity of vascular proliferation and showing a positive correlation with disease grading. Compared to traditional subjective scoring of arthritis severity, the PA/US imaging is more sensitive i.e., vascular signals and synovial erosion can be observed early in the course of arthritis.