MRI-based visualization of iron-labeled CD133+ human endothelial progenitor cells.
The objective of this study is to build up a kind of effective approach to multiply CD133+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and visualize cells by labeling with two FDA-approved agents based on MRI technique. CD133+ cells were separated by immunomagnetic microbeads selection and grew with serum-free medium. Seven days later, CD133+ cell production was collected and co-incubated with iron complex for 24 h for labeling. The iron-labeled cells were suspended into agarose gel and scanned by MRI for visualization. Labeled cells were also analyzed for cell viability. Iron can be effectively introduced into CD133+ EPCs plasma in culture and visualized by changing the MRI signal intensity. Iron had no influence on cell viability.


CONCLUSIONS
Iron substance can be applied to label CD133+ cells without cytotoxicity and iron-labeled cells can be visualized by MRI image. Due to the non-invasive property and repeatability of MRI technology and this kind of method could be used for tracing in vivo stem cells in the future.
Liu
Jie
J
Department of Oncology, Guang An Men Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China. dr.liujie@163.com
Chao
Baoting
B
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006023:Glycoproteins; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; D007501:Iron