Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Ex Vivo Imaging of Resident CD8 T Lymphocytes in Human Lung Tumor Slices Using Confocal Microscopy
Published on: December 27, 2017
In vivo cellular imaging of lymphocyte trafficking by MRI: a tumor model approach to cell-based anticancer therapy
Pierre Smirnov1, Elise Lavergne, Florence Gazeau
1Laboratoire de Recherche en Imagerie, Faculté de Médecine Necker, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. pierre_smirnov@hotmail.com
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo cell tracking to monitor anticancer cell therapy by means of a high-resolution noninvasive MRI method. Ovalbumin-specific splenocytes (OT-1) labeled with anionic gamma-Fe2O3 superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were adoptively transferred into C57BL/6 mice with growing ovalbumin-expressing tumors. OT-1 cells were tracked in vivo by 7 T MRI 24, 48, and 72 hr after they were injected. The results showed significant negative enhancement of the spleen at 24 hr, and of the tumor at 48 and 72 hr, after labeled cell injection. This suggests that the lymphocytes initially homed toward the spleen and were then recruited by the tumor. The presence of labeled cells was confirmed in ex vivo by 9.4 T microimaging of tumors and magnetic sorting of spleen cells. These results confirm that MR tracking of lymphocytes is feasible in vivo. This high-resolution imaging method could be used to improve the monitoring of immune cell therapy.
Insights
This study shows that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can track anticancer immune cells in vivo. This noninvasive method monitors cell therapy efficacy by visualizing lymphocyte migration to tumors.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Immunotherapy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Anticancer cell therapy requires effective monitoring of immune cell distribution and behavior.
- Noninvasive imaging techniques are crucial for assessing the efficacy of adoptive cell transfer therapies.
- Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles offer potential for cell labeling and MRI tracking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo cell tracking using high-resolution MRI.
- To monitor the migration and homing of adoptively transferred lymphocytes in a tumor-bearing mouse model.
- To evaluate the potential of MRI for noninvasive assessment of anticancer immune cell therapy.
Main Methods:
- Ovalbumin-specific splenocytes (OT-1) were labeled with anionic gamma-Fe2O3 SPIO nanoparticles.
- Labeled OT-1 cells were adoptively transferred into C57BL/6 mice with ovalbumin-expressing tumors.
- In vivo tracking was performed using 7 Tesla (T) MRI at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-injection.
- Ex vivo confirmation included 9.4 T microimaging of tumors and magnetic sorting of spleen cells.
Main Results:
- Significant negative MRI enhancement was observed in the spleen at 24 hours and in the tumor at 48 and 72 hours post-injection.
- These findings indicate initial lymphocyte homing to the spleen followed by recruitment to the tumor site.
- Ex vivo analysis confirmed the presence of labeled cells in both spleen and tumor tissues.
Conclusions:
- In vivo MRI tracking of SPIO-labeled lymphocytes is feasible and provides valuable insights into cell migration patterns.
- This high-resolution noninvasive imaging method can potentially improve the monitoring and optimization of immune cell therapies.
- MR tracking offers a promising tool for assessing the biodistribution and therapeutic impact of cellular immunotherapies.
