title: Gadolinium hexanedione nanoparticles for stem cell labeling and tracking via magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The ability to trace transplanted stem cells and monitor their tissue biodistribution is prerequisite to an understanding of cellular migration after transplantation. Therefore, a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent made of gadolinium hexanedione nanoparticles (GdH-NPs) was developed as a cell tracking agent. The GdH-NPs were fabricated by the microemulsion process. The physical characteristics, biocompatibility, and T1-MRI signal enhancement of these NPs were analyzed and evaluated for stem cell tracking. In this study, the size of the synthesized GdH-NPs was about 140 nm, and it had greater image enhancement ability than commercial gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). From the biocompability test, we found GdH-NPs were nontoxic for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The expression of surface antigens of hMSCs after culture with GdH-NPs was examined, and it showed no difference from the control group. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging for labeled hMSCs showed GdH-NPs were accumulated in the cells by the endocytotic pathway. The accumulation of GdH-NPs in hMSCs was three times higher in comparison to Gd-DTPA. Human MSCs labeled with low concentration of GdH-NPs (10 microg/mL) hold better signals in cellular MR image. We conclude GdH-NPs can be used to label hMSCs in vitro with greater T1 image-enhancing property and without affecting cell quality. Finally, GdH-NPs have great potential as a contrast agent for stem cell tracking by MRI methodology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Engineering Research, National Health Research Institutes, No.35, Keyan Rd, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 350, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ching-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: I-Ling
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stobinski
authors.forename: Feng-Huei
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008422:Materials Testing; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010316:Particle Size; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C473833:gadolinium hexanedione