Abstract #1565

Counting Glomeruli in a Human Transplant Kidney Using MRI

Scott Charles Beeman¹, John F. Bertram², Jennifer R. Charlton³, Teresa Wu¹, Min Zhang¹, Kevin M. Bennett¹

¹Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States; ²Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; ³University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States

The goal of this work was to measure the number (Nglom) and the volume (Vglom) of every glomerulus in human transplant kidneys using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the glomerulus-specific contrast agent cationized ferritin (CF). Changes in the number and size of glomeruli have been linked to ~90% of all chronic renal diseases and many systemic diseases though these measurements are clinically impossible. As a proof of concept, we will show that all perfused glomeruli in human transplant kidneys may be visualized, counted, and their sizes measured using CF and MRI.