Project Details
Abstract
Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA; e.g., face transplantation, hand
transplantation) is an emerging concept that is groundbreaking and beneficial to patients.
Structural/functional recovery is one of the key issues of VCA.
For both the research of structural/functional recovery and its improving therapies, a
long-term assessment is indispensable. A non-invasive in vivo real time imaging platform
for the long-term assessment of structural/functional recovery is urgently needed. In our two
previous projects, our research team of the center for VCA has initially developed an in vivo
assessment platform with various molecular imaging methods such as optical imaging,
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging for the structural/functional
recovery of the neuronal regeneration and blood vessel/flow in two simple animal models:
denervation/reinnervation rat model and blood vessel-transplantation rat model.
In terms of neuronal regeneration: Our research team has already overcome the
technical difficulties in previous projects, in which the long-term longitudinal assessments
continuing for over one year by fMRI of the denervation and reinnervation rat model had
been successfully conducted. The functional reconstruction through neuronal regeneration
displayed on the contralateral hemicerebrum of the denervation/reinnervation side and the
functional compensation displayed on the other hemicerebrum were assessed with the age
effect ruled out. This is an unprecedented achievement, which has never been achieved
neither with electrophysiology nor in the past animal fMRI literature.
In terms of blood vessel: The Vevo 2100 ultrasound imaging with high resolution and
high penetration is the only method at present that allows the in vivo non-invasive
mensuration for the thickness of blood vessel walls and the diameter of the blood vessel
lumen. It will be an irreplaceable method in clinical VCA. For the large requirement of
fluorescence imaging for blood/lymphatic flow, our research team has also developed a series
of novel imaging agents. With higher contrast, higher resolution, a much more persistent
time window allows to be imaged, and a much more economic price, this series is more
superior than the popular commercial imaging agent, indocyanine green (ICG), possessing a
great market value.
From the initial assessing results, several targets have been identified for further
assessments:
1. Structure creates function. The functional reconstruction and compensation of the
brain are necessarily based on the structural basis. On this account, the diffusion tensor
imaging-MRI (DTI-MRI) with its analysis, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) and
Fractional Anisotropy (FA), will be used to conduct the non-invasive structural imaging and
analysis for the long-term brain plasticity.
2. Behavior recovery depends on both the nerves and muscles. Unsuccessful behavior
recovery could be neurogenic, myogenic, or both. Therefore, the muscle assessment with
ultrasound imaging, DTI-MRI and near-infrared spectroscopy imaging (NIRS imaging) will
be added in this advanced project. The rehabilitation training is also necessary.
3. Until now, there has been no imaging technique that could tell the blood flow apart
from the lymphatic flow. Unlike other blood flow imaging techniques that are based on
“fluid”, laser speckle imaging is an imaging technique based on “blood cell”. With this
characteristic, it can be used as a method to distinguish the blood flow from the lymphatic
flow. Through the comparison of laser speckle imaging with fluorescence imaging, the
blood flow and the lymphatic flow will be distinguished.
Therefore, this advanced further in-depth project has been planned and prepared.
Ensuring an effective assessment, the in vivo non-invasive long-term follow-up imaging
platform will be even more complete and comprehensive.
This advanced platform with its tissomic validation will be formally applied to assess the
VCA rat model, and the efficacy of potential therapies will be also evaluated.
Project IDs
Project ID:PC10308-1891
External Project ID:MOST103-2314-B182-031-MY3
External Project ID:MOST103-2314-B182-031-MY3
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 01/08/14 → 31/07/15 |
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