title: Microencapsulated cell tracking.
abstract: Microencapsulation of therapeutic cells has been widely pursued to achieve cellular immunoprotection following transplantation. Initial clinical studies have shown the potential of microencapsulation using semi-permeable alginate layers, but much needs to be learned about the optimal delivery route, in vivo pattern of engraftment, and microcapsule stability over time. In parallel with noninvasive imaging techniques for 'naked' (i.e. unencapsulated) cell tracking, microcapsules have now been endowed with contrast agents that can be visualized by (1) H MRI, (19) F MRI, X-ray/computed tomography and ultrasound imaging. By placing the contrast agent formulation in the extracellular space of the hydrogel, large amounts of contrast agents can be incorporated with negligible toxicity. This has led to a new generation of imaging biomaterials that can render cells visible with multiple imaging modalities.
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Dian R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Arifin
authors.forename: Dorota A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kedziorek
authors.forename: Yingli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Kannie W Y
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Clifford R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Dara L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kraitchman
authors.forename: Jeff W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bulte
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; C065507:ferumoxides