title: In situ labeling and magnetic resonance imaging of transplanted human hepatic stem cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose is to address the problem in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of contrast agent dilution.
  
  
  METHODS
  In situ magnetic labeling of cells and MRI were used to assess distribution and growth of human hepatic stem cells (hHpSCs) transplanted into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)/non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. It was done with commercially available magnetic microbeads coupled to an antibody to a surface antigen, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), uniquely expressed in the liver by hepatic progenitors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We validated the microbead connection to cells and related MRI data to optical microscopy observations in order to develop a means to quantitatively estimate cell numbers in the aggregates detected. Cell counts of hHpSCs at different times post-transplantation revealed quantifiable evidence of cell engraftment and expansion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This magnetic labeling methodology can be used with any antibody coupled to a magnetic particle to target any surface antigen that distinguishes transplanted cells from host cells, thus facilitating studies that define methods and strategies for clinical cell therapy programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McClelland
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wauthier
authors.forename: Tommi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tallheden
authors.forename: Lola M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D016513:Mice, SCID; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation