Visualization of haemophilic arthropathy in F8 super(-/-) rats by ultrasonography and micro-computed tomography

• Published in: Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia 2017-01, Vol.23 (1), p.152-162
• Main Authors: Christensen, K R, Roepstorff, K, Petersen, M, Wiinberg, B, Hansen, A K, Kjelgaard-Hansen, M, Nielsen, L N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1351-8216; 1365-2516
• DOI: 10.1111/hae.13080

Introduction A major complication of haemophilia is haemophilic arthropathy (HA), a debilitating disorder with an incompletely defined pathobiology. High-resolution imaging may provide new knowledge about onset and progression of HA, and thereby support identification of new treatment opportunities. Recently, a F8 super(-/-) rat model of HA was developed. The size of the rat allows for convenient and high resolution imaging of the joints, which could enable in vivo studies of HA development. Aim To determine whether HA in the F8 super(-/-) rat can be visualized using ultrasonography (US) and micro-computed tomography ( mu CT). Methods Sixty F8 super(-/-) and 20 wild-type rats were subjected to a single or two induced knee bleeds. F8 super(-/-) rats were treated with either recombinant human FVIII (rhFVIII) or vehicle before the induction of knee bleeds. Haemophilic arthropathy was visualized using in vivo US and ex vivo mu CT, and the observations correlated with histological evaluation. Results US and mu CT detected pathologies in the knee related to HA. There was a strong correlation between disease severity determined by mu CT and histopathology. rhFVIII treatment reduced the pathology identified with both imaging techniques. Conclusion US and mu CT are suitable imaging techniques for detection of blood-induced joint disease in F8 super(-/-) rats and may be used for longitudinal studies of disease progression.