In vivo MRI of intraspinally injected SPIO-labelled human CD34+ cells in a transgenic mouse model of ALS.
OBJECTIVE
Administration of stem cells is a promising novel approach for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. For in vivo monitoring of transplanted cells, non-invasive imaging modalities are needed. In this study we determined the tracking efficiency of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labelled canine cell line (MTH53A) in vitro as well as the human CD34(+) umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBCs) in vitro and in vivo efficiency by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
SPIO-labelled MTH53A cells and hUCBCs were scanned in agar gel phantoms at 1.0 T or 7.0 T. For in vivo detection, 100,000 labelled hUCBCs were injected into the spinal cord of a transgenic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mouse and scanned at 7.0 T.


RESULTS
In vitro, 100,000 MTH53A cells and 250,000 hUCBCs were visible at 1.0 T. Scanning with 7.0 T revealed 25,000 detectable MTH53A cells. In vivo, 7.0 T MRI showed clear signals of 100,000 implanted cells.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI combined with SPIO nanoparticles provides valuable potential for non-invasive, non-toxic in vivo tracking of cells implanted into the spinal cord.
Small Animal Clinic, Research Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, University for Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 9, D-30559 Hannover, Germany.
S
S
Willenbrock
S
S
Knippenberg
M
M
Meier
R
R
Hass
P
P
Wefstaedt
I
I
Nolte
H
H
Murua Escobar
S
S
Petri
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D003287:Contrast Media; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009154:Mutation; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C000499:ferric oxide; C109415:SOD1 G93A protein; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase