Magnetic resonance imaging of pancreatic islets using tissue–adhesive particles containing iron oxide nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of controlled release Vol. 364; pp. 37 - 45
• Main Authors: Le Tran, Phuong, Pham, Tung Thanh, Lee, Han Sin, Hahn, Soojung, Choi, Jeong Uk, Kim, Jae Hyeon, Jiang, Hu-Lin, Yook, Simmyung, Jeong, Jee-Heon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Animals; Contrast agent; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - diagnostic imaging; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - therapy; iron oxide nanoparticles; Islet transplantation; Islets of Langerhans - diagnostic imaging; Islets of Langerhans - metabolism; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation - methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetite Nanoparticles; Mice; MRI tracking; Polymeric microspheres; Tissue Adhesives; Type 1 diabetes; Islet transplantation; MRI tracking; Polymeric microspheres; iron oxide nanoparticles; Type 1 diabetes; Contrast agent
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.008

Post–transplantation tracking of pancreatic islets is a prerequisite for advancing cell therapy to treat type 1 diabetes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a safe and non–invasive technique for visualizing cells in clinical applications. In this study, we proposed a novel MRI contrast agent formulation by encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) in poly(lactic–co–glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles functionalized with a tissue adhesive polydopamine (PD) layer (IONP–PLGA–PD MS). Intriguingly, our particles facilitated efficient and robust labeling through a one–step process, allowing for the incorporation of a substantial amount of IONPs without detrimental impacts on the viability and functionality of pancreatic islets. The MRI signals emanating from islets labeled using our particles were found to be stable over 30 days in vitro and 60 days when transplanted under kidney capsules of diabetic mice. These results suggest that our approach provides a potential platform for monitoring the fate of pancreatic islets after transplantation. [Display omitted]