title: Magnetic resonance evaluation of human mesenchymal stem cells in corpus cavernosa of rats and rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether the biological process of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) may be monitored non-invasively by using in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with conventional 1.5-T system examinations in corpus cavernosa of rats and rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  The labeling efficiency and viability of SPIO-labeled hMSCs were examined with Prussian blue and Tripan blue, respectively. After SPIO-labeled hMSCs were transplanted to the corpus cavernosa of rats and rabbits, serial T2-weighted MR images were taken and histological examinations were carried out over a 4-week period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  hMSCs loaded with SPIO compared to unlabeled cells had a similar viability. For SPIO-labeled hMSCs more than 1 X 10 (5) concentration in vitro, MR images showed a decrease in signal intensity. MR signal intensity at the areas of SPIO-labeled hMSCs in the rat and rabbit corpus cavernosa decreased and was confined locally. After injection of SPIO-labeled hMSCs into the corpus cavernosum, MR imaging demonstrated that hMSCs could be seen for at least 12 weeks after injection. The presence of iron was confirmed with Prussian blue staining in histological sections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPIO-labeled hMSCs in corpus cavernosa of rats and rabbits can be evaluated non-invasively by molecular MR imaging. Our findings suggest that MR imaging has the ability to test the long-term therapeutic potential of hMSCs in animals in the setting of erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Stem Cell therapy Center, Soonchunhyang School of Medicine, Seoul 140-743, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Seob
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ja-Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.forename: Eun-Seop
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jung-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin-Suck
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Kong-Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sook-Ja
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hee-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: Ik-Sung
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Dongho
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Won
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003911:Dextrans; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D010087:Oxides; D010413:Penis / Q000473:pathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; C097921:ferumoxtran-10; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide