Science to practice: can stem cells be labeled inside the body instead of outside?
Instead of conventional labeling ex vivo in cell culture, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were labeled in vivo with intravenous injection of ferumoxytol (Feraheme; AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, Mass), a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved intravenous iron supplement. After their isolation and processing from bone marrow, the same MSCs were injected in rats with an osteochondral defect, allowing MR monitoring of their engraftment for at least 4 weeks. This straightforward labeling approach, avoiding several regulatory issues, may accelerate clinical translation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for stem cell tracking.
Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science and the Institute for Cell Engineering Division of MR Research Cellular Imaging Section The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 217 Traylor 720 Rutland Ave Baltimore, MD 21205.
Jeff W M
JW
Bulte
D000818:Animals; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide