Project Summary/Abstract Fibrotic activity, the accumulation of macromolecules, alters the composition and microstructural organization musculoskeletal connective tissue. The ability to non-invasively quantify and characterize the significant extracellular matrix components such as proteoglycan content and collagen fibrils organization is important clinically since fibrosis is a common inflammatory response that plays a role in many pathologies. Recent advances in instrumentation for low field magnetic resonance (MR) has enabled its adoption in the field of macromolecular characterization, porous media, and recently biological tissues. LF MR is advantageous as an affordable non-cryogen alternative to high-field MR imaging with a greater detectable dynamic range of quantitative MR parameters. This adaptation for this imaging modality is limited by the lack of appropriate phantoms of connective tissue and the identification of biomarkers for healthy and diseased tissue. Composite gels that replicate the salient structural and compositional features of connective tissue will be developed and used to optimize low field MR methods and identify LF biomarkers. These methods will be applied to articular cartilage and lumbodorsal fascia connective tissues. The project is anticipated to have a significant positive impact on the clinical capability and utility of LF MR as an affordable point of care diagnostic application.

Project Narrative Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide, between one and three, and one and five people live with a musculoskeletal pain condition. Regular assessment of the state of MSK connective tissue is needed to better identify the pathophysiological origin of the inflammatory and fibrotic response. This research will advance the adaptation of low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a novel, noninvasive, and affordable point of care diagnostic imaging method capable of assessing the state of MSK connective tissue and effective of regenerative medicine.