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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Labeling Stem Cells with Fluorescent Dyes for non-invasive Detection with Optical Imaging
Published on: April 2, 2008
Improved route for the visualization of stem cells labeled with a Gd-/Eu-chelate as dual (MRI and fluorescence) agent
Simonetta Geninatti Crich1, Luigi Biancone, Vincenzo Cantaluppi
1Department of Chemistry IFM, University of Torino, and Center for Molecular Imaging (CIM), University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
Abstract:
A simple labeling procedure of stem/progenitor cells based on the use of Gd-HPDO3A and Eu-HPDO3A, respectively, is described. The Gd-chelate acts as T(1)-agent for MRI visualization, whereas the corresponding Eu-chelate acts as reporter in fluorescence microscopy. Owing to their substantial chemical equivalence, the two chelates are equally internalized in EPCs (endothelial progenitor cells), thus allowing their visualization by both techniques. The lanthanide chelates are entrapped in endosomic vesicles and the labeled cells retain biological activity with preservation of viability and pro-angiogenesis capacity. Hyperintense spots in MR have been observed for Gd-labeled EPCs injected under mice kidney capsule or grafted on a subcutaneous Matrigel plug up to 14 days after transplantation.
