In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Tracking of Magnetically Labeled Cells after Transplantation

• Published in: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism Vol. 22; no. 8; pp. 899 - 907
• Main Authors: Bulte, Jeff W. M., Duncan, Ian D., Frank, Joseph A.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.08.2002; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - cytology; Contrast Media; Ferric Compounds; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Oligodendroglia - cytology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Staining and Labeling; Stem Cells - physiology; Transplantation; Magnetic resonance imaging; MR contrast agent; Oligodendrocyte progenitor; Superparamagnetic iron oxide; Stem cell; Exploration; Review; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; In vivo; Oligodendrocyte; Surgery; Animal; Medical imagery; Technique; Superparamagnetic contrast agent; Progenitor cell
• ISSN: 0271-678X; 1559-7016
• DOI: 10.1097/00004647-200208000-00001

During the last few years, the therapeutic use of stem and progenitor cells as a substitute for malfunctioning endogenous cell populations has received considerable attention. Unlike their current use in animal models, the introduction of therapeutic cells in patients will require techniques that can monitor their tissue biodistribution noninvasively. Among the different imaging modalities, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers both near-cellular (i.e., 25- to 50-μ) resolution and whole-body imaging capability. In order to be visualized, cells must be labeled with an intracellular tracer molecule that can be detected by MR imaging. Methods have now been developed that make it possible to incorporate sufficient amounts of superparamagnetic iron oxide into cells, enabling their detection in vivo using MR imaging. This is illustrated for (neural stem cell—derived) magnetically labeled oligodendroglial progenitors, transplanted in the central nervous system of dysmyelinated rats. Cells can be followed in vivo for at least 6 weeks after transplantation, with a good histopathologic correlation including the formation of myelin. Now that MR tracking of magnetically labeled cells appears feasible, it is anticipated that this technique may ultimately become an important tool for monitoring the efficacy of clinical (stem) cell transplantation protocols.