Sensitive in vivo cell detection using size-optimized superparamagnetic nanoparticles.
Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) enabled cell visualization with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently an intensively studied area of research. In the present study, we have synthesized polyethylene glycolated (PEG) MNPs and validated their suitability as MR cell labeling agents in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The labeling of therapeutic potent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with small core and large core MNPs was evaluated. Both MNPs were, in combination with a transfection agent, stably internalized into the MSCs and didn't show an effect on cell metabolism. The labeled cells showed high contrast in MRI phantom studies. For quantification purposes, the MRI contrast generating properties of cells labeled with small core MNPs were compared with large core MNPs and with the commercial contrast agent Endorem. MSCs labeled with the large core MNPs showed the highest contrast generating properties in in vitro phantom studies and in in vivo intracranial stereotactic injection experiments, confirming the size-relaxivity relationship in biological systems. Finally, the distribution of MSCs pre-labeled with large core PEGylated MNPs was visualized non-invasively with MRI in a glioma model.
IMEC, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/Mosaic, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: trekker@imec.be.
Jesse
J
Trekker
Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/Mosaic, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Cindy
C
Leten
Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/Mosaic, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Lab of Histology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Tom
T
Struys
Department of Physics, Solid State Physics and Magnetism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Vera V
VV
Lazenka
Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Research Lab, Hospital Clinico Universitario, University of Santiago de Compostela, IDIS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Barbara
B
Argibay
IMEC, Leuven, Belgium.
Liesbeth
L
Micholt
Lab of Histology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Ivo
I
Lambrichts
IMEC, Leuven, Belgium.
Willem
W
Van Roy
IMEC, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Physics, Solid State Physics and Magnetism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Liesbet
L
Lagae
Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/Mosaic, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Uwe
U
Himmelreich
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D064593:Heterografts; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008280:Magnetics; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size
Cell labeling; Cell tracking; MRI; Magnetic nanoparticle; Mesenchymal stem cells