Self-assembled dual-modality contrast agents for non-invasive stem cell tracking via near-infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging.
Stem cells hold great promise for treating various diseases. However, one of the main drawbacks of stem cell therapy is the lack of non-invasive image-tracking technologies. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging have been employed to analyse cellular and subcellular events via the assistance of contrast agents, the sensitivity and temporal resolution of MRI and the spatial resolution of NIRF are still shortcomings. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals and IR-780 dyes were co-encapsulated in stearic acid-modified polyethylenimine to form a dual-modality contrast agent with nano-size and positive charge. These resulting agents efficiently labelled stem cells and did not influence the cellular viability and differentiation. Moreover, the labelled cells showed the advantages of dual-modality imaging in vivo.
Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, PR China.
Hong
H
Liu
Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Yan
Y
Tan
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, PR China.
Lisi
L
Xie
Laboratory for Gene and Cell Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Lei
L
Yang
Laboratory for Gene and Cell Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Jing
J
Zhao
Laboratory for Gene and Cell Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Jingxuan
J
Bai
Laboratory for Gene and Cell Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Ping
P
Huang
Laboratory for Gene and Cell Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Wugen
W
Zhan
Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Qian
Q
Wan
Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
Chao
C
Zou
School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, PR China. Electronic address: ylhan57@126.com.
Yali
Y
Han
Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for MRI, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, PR China. Electronic address: zy.wang@siat.ac.cn.
Zhiyong
Z
Wang
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D058948:Cell Tracking; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010316:Particle Size; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000737:chemistry; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013499:Surface Properties
D003287:Contrast Media; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D013229:Stearic Acids; C031183:stearic acid; D011094:Polyethyleneimine
Dual-modality contrast agent; Magnetic resonance imaging; Nanotechnology; Near-infrared fluorescence imaging; Stem cell