title: Neural progenitor cells labeling with microbubble contrast agent for ultrasound imaging in vivo.
abstract: Tracking neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) that are used to target tumors, infarction or inflammation, is paramount for cell-based therapy. We employed ultrasound imaging that can detect a single microbubble because it can distinguish its unique signal from those of surrounding tissues. NPCs efficiently internalized positively charged microbubbles allowing a clinical ultrasound system to detect a single cell at 7 MHz. When injected intravenously, labeled NPCs traversed the lungs to be imaged in the left ventricle and the liver where they accumulated. Internalized microbubbles were not only less sensitive to destruction by ultrasound, but remained visible in vivo for days as compared to minutes when given free. The extended longevity provides ample time to allow cells to reach their intended target. We were also able to transfect NPCs in vitro when microbubbles were preloaded with GFP plasmid only when cells were insonated. Transfection efficiency and cell viability were both greater than 90%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Wenjin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Sidhartha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavri
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Benchimol
authors.forename: Malak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itani
authors.forename: Emilia S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Decyk
authors.forename: Rosemarie G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Christopher V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Barback
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kono
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mattrey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D003287:Contrast Media; D004247:DNA; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D045423:Microbubbles; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014162:Transfection; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D004247:DNA; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine