Noninvasive in vivo tracking of mesenchymal stem cells and evaluation of cell therapeutic effects in a murine model using a clinical 3.0 T MRI.
Cardiac cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents a promising treatment approach for end-stage heart failure. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms and the fate of the transplanted cells. The objective of the presented work is to determine the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in vivo monitoring after transplantation into infarcted mouse hearts using a clinical 3.0 T MRI device. The labeling procedure of bone marrow-derived MSCs with micron-sized paramagnetic iron oxide particles (MPIOs) did not affect the viability of the cells and their cell type-defining properties when compared to unlabeled cells. Using a clinical 3.0 T MRI scanner equipped with a dedicated small animal solenoid coil, 10(5) labeled MSCs could be detected and localized in the mouse hearts for up to 4 weeks after intramyocardial transplantation. Weekly ECG-gated scans using T1-weighted sequences were performed, and left ventricular function was assessed. Histological analysis of hearts confirmed the survival of labeled MSCs in the target area up to 4 weeks after transplantation. In conclusion, in vivo tracking of labeled MSCs using a clinical 3.0 T MRI scanner is feasible. In combination with assessment of heart function, this technology allows the monitoring of the therapeutic efficacy of regenerative therapies in a small animal model.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Florian
F
Drey
Yeong-Hoon
YH
Choi
Klaus
K
Neef
Birgit
B
Ewert
Arne
A
Tenbrock
Philipp
P
Treskes
Henning
H
Bovenschulte
Oliver J
OJ
Liakopoulos
Meike
M
Brenkmann
Christof
C
Stamm
Thorsten
T
Wittwer
Thorsten
T
Wahlers
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D058948:Cell Tracking; D020219:Chondrogenesis; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000601:surgery; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C000499:ferric oxide