In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of mesenchymal stem cells in myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells (MR-MSCs) in a swine myocardial infarction (MI) model.


RESULTS
Adult farm pigs (n=5) were subjected to closed-chest experimental MI. MR-MSCs (2.8 to 16x107 cells) were injected intramyocardially under x-ray fluoroscopy. MRIs were obtained on a 1.5T MR scanner to demonstrate the location of the MR-MSCs and were correlated with histology. Contrast-enhanced MRI demonstrated successful injection in the infarct and serial MSC tracking was demonstrated in two animals.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI tracking of MSCs is feasible and represents a preferred method for studying the engraftment of MSCs in MI.
Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, 601 N Caroline St, Suite 4231, Baltimore, Md 21287-0845, USA. dara@mri.jhu.edu
Dara L
DL
Kraitchman
Alan W
AW
Heldman
Ergin
E
Atalar
Luciano C
LC
Amado
Bradley J
BJ
Martin
Mark F
MF
Pittenger
Joshua M
JM
Hare
Jeff W M
JW
Bulte
D000818:Animals; D007267:Injections; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D013552:Swine
D007501:Iron