Contrast-enhanced ultrasound measurement of pancreatic blood flow dynamics predicts type 1 diabetes progression in preclinical models

Nat Commun. 2018 May 1;9(1):1742. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03953-y.

Abstract

In type 1 diabetes (T1D), immune-cell infiltration into the islets of Langerhans (insulitis) and β-cell decline occurs many years before diabetes clinically presents. Non-invasively detecting insulitis and β-cell decline would allow the diagnosis of eventual diabetes, and provide a means to monitor therapeutic intervention. However, there is a lack of validated clinical approaches for specifically and non-invasively imaging disease progression leading to T1D. Islets have a denser microvasculature that reorganizes during diabetes. Here we apply contrast-enhanced ultrasound measurements of pancreatic blood-flow dynamics to non-invasively and predictively assess disease progression in T1D pre-clinical models. STZ-treated mice, NOD mice, and adoptive-transfer mice demonstrate altered islet blood-flow dynamics prior to diabetes onset, consistent with islet microvasculature reorganization. These assessments predict both time to diabetes onset and future responders to antiCD4-mediated disease prevention. Thus contrast-enhanced ultrasound measurements of pancreas blood-flow dynamics may provide a clinically deployable predictive marker for disease progression in pre-symptomatic T1D and therapeutic reversal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / physiopathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / physiopathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Immunotherapy
  • Islets of Langerhans / blood supply
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • Pancreas / blood supply*
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Contrast Media