title: In vivo magnetic resonance imaging tracking of SPIO-labeled human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.
abstract: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) can be efficiently labeled by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, which produces low signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro. This study was to evaluate the feasibility of in vivo tracking for hUC-MSCs labeled by SPIO with noninvasive MRI. SPIO was added to cultures at concentrations equivalent to 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 µg Fe/ml (diluted with DMEM/F12) and incubated for 16 h. Prussian Blue staining was used to determinate the labeling efficiency. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, control group, hUC-MSCs group, and SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs group. All groups were subjected to spinal cord injury (SCI) by weight drop device. Rats were examined for neurological function. In vivo MRI was used to track SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs transplanted in rats spinal cord. Survival and migration of hUC-MSCs were also explored using immunofluorescence. Significant improvements in locomotion were observed in the hUC-MSCs groups. There was statistical significance compared with control group. In vivo MRI 1 and 3 weeks after injection showed a large reduction in signal intensity in the region transplanted with SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs. The images from unlabeled hUC-MSCs showed a smaller reduction in signal intensity. Transplanted hUC-MSCs engrafted within the injured rats spinal cord and survived for at least 8 weeks. In conclusion, hUC-MSCs can survive and migrate in the host spinal cord after transplantation, which promote functional recovery after SCI. Noninvasive imaging of transplanted SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs is feasible.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, No. 29, GaoTanYan Street, Chong-Qing 400038, PR China.
authors: Sheng-Li
authors: SL
authors: Hu
authors: Pei-Gang
authors: PG
authors: Lu
authors: Li-Jun
authors: LJ
authors: Zhang
authors: Fei
authors: F
authors: Li
authors: Zhi
authors: Z
authors: Chen
authors: Nan
authors: N
authors: Wu
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Meng
authors: Jiang-Kai
authors: JK
authors: Lin
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Feng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles