In-vivo Characterization of White Adipose Tissue with Quantitative Ultrasound
Project Number1R21EB035809-01A1
Former Number1R21EB035809-01
Contact PI/Project LeaderHOERIG, CAMERON
Awardee OrganizationWEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
Description
Abstract Text
PROJECT SUMMARY
White adipose tissue (WAT) is a complex organ with functional roles beyond storing energy and insulating organs.
Recent studies have demonstrated the critical role of WAT in supporting systemic health through secretion of
biologically active substances (adipokines). WAT dysfunction can arise from tissue expansion through increased
adipocyte size or number density. While the systemic expansion of WAT is typically caused by increased energy intake,
localized diseases like cancerous tumors or coronary artery disease can affect the microstructure of nearby
adipocytes. Systemic WAT dysfunction correlates with levels of certain adipokines measurable in blood serum, but
local microstructural changes of adipocytes associated with local disease do not necessarily correlate with blood serum
adipokine levels, requiring direct evaluation of WAT microstructure to quantify changes through biopsy or tissue
resection. No methods exist to directly characterize the microstructural properties of adipocytes in WAT non-
invasively and in vivo. Given the importance of WAT to human health and the relationship between WAT
microstructural changes and dysfunction, there is clearly a need for methods to rapidly and non-invasively quantify
adipocyte size, number density, and spatial organization in vivo for detecting and monitoring both systemic and local
disease. We propose to develop quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging methods for this purpose. We hypothesize
that 1) QUS parameters correlate with adipocyte size, number density, and spatial organization in WAT and 2) QUS can
non-invasively detect local microstructural changes in adipocytes not measurable through blood serum biomarkers
which are typically associated with systemic WAT dysfunction. Aim 1 will test the first hypothesis by comparing QUS
parameters computed from WAT regions in breast tissues with adipocyte size and number density measurements
computed from digital image analysis of H&E-stained tissue sections of the same regions. The second hypothesis will
be tested in aim 2 by comparing QUS parameters from WAT regions near cancerous breast lesions – where
microstructural properties of adipocytes are known to change locally – and several millimeters away from lesions (not
affected by cancerous tumors) to measurements of adipokine levels in blood serum. Aim 1 validates QUS as a method
to characterize adipocyte microstructure in vivo whereas Aim 2 demonstrates the efficacy of QUS parameters to
detect local, not systemic, microstructural changes. The expected outcome of this work is the validation of QUS as a
non-invasive method to characterize the microstructural properties of adipocytes in WAT. If successful, QUS could
become a meaningful tool for routine clinical care and for supporting other research efforts attempting to uncover the
relationship between alterations in WAT microstructure and disease.
Public Health Relevance Statement
PROJECT NARRATIVE
Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of white adipose tissue, the most common type of body fat, in
human health. Changes in the cellular structure of white adipose tissue can be indicative of disease, but there are
currently no methods to quickly and non-invasively evaluate these changes in vivo. This project aims to develop rapid
and inexpensive ultrasonic imaging methods to directly assess fat tissue non-invasively.
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
CFDA Code
286
DUNS Number
060217502
UEI
YNT8TCJH8FQ8
Project Start Date
01-January-2025
Project End Date
31-December-2026
Budget Start Date
01-January-2025
Budget End Date
31-December-2025
Project Funding Information for 2025
Total Funding
$202,076
Direct Costs
$119,219
Indirect Costs
$82,857
Year
Funding IC
FY Total Cost by IC
2025
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
$202,076
Year
Funding IC
FY Total Cost by IC
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