In vivo MRI tracking of exogenous monocytes/macrophages targeting brain tumors in a rat model of glioma

• Published in: NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 37; pp. S47 - S58
• Main Authors: Valable, Samuel, Barbier, Emmanuel L., Bernaudin, Myriam, Roussel, Simon, Segebarth, Christoph, Petit, Edwige, Rémy, Chantal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 2007; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Brain cancer; Brain Neoplasms - pathology; Cell culture; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cellular Biology; Coloring Agents; Contrast agents; Cytokines; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Ferric Compounds - metabolism; Ferrocyanides; Genetic engineering; Glioma - pathology; Green Fluorescent Proteins - genetics; Histology; Immunohistochemistry; Iron - metabolism; Labeling; Lectins; Leukemia P388 - drug therapy; Leukemia P388 - pathology; Life Sciences; Macrophages - physiology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Monocytes - physiology; Neurons and Cognition; Particle Size; Rats; Rodents; Stem cells; Stereotaxic Techniques; Tumors; Fluorescence; Rats; Brain; Glioma
• ISSN: 1053-8119; 1095-9572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.05.041

This study has shown that murine monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) can be labeled simply and efficiently with large, green-fluorescent, micrometer-sized particles of iron-oxide (MPIO). Neither size nor proliferation rate of the Mo/Ma is significantly affected by this labeling. The labeled Mo/Ma have been administered intravenously to rats that had developed a glioma following stereotactic injection of C6 cells. The labeled Mo/Ma were shown to target the brain tumors, a process that could be monitored non-invasively using T 2⁎-weighted MRI. MRI observations were confirmed by Prussian blue staining, lectin staining and fluorescence histology. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the use of Mo/Ma may be envisaged in the clinic for vectorizing therapeutic agents towards gliomas.