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Multimodal Imaging of Stem Cell Implantation in the Central Nervous System of Mice
Published on: June 13, 2012
Magnetic resonance imaging detects differences in migration between primary and immortalized neural stem cells
Sergey Magnitsky1, Raquel M Walton, John H Wolfe
1Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, B6 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Academic Radiology
|September 16, 2008
Summary
Super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agents enable noninvasive in vivo MRI detection of neural stem cells (NSCs). SPIO particles at 100 microg/mL or higher do not affect NSC viability or differentiation, facilitating cell tracking.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Imaging
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Neural stem cells (NSCs) hold therapeutic potential but require effective tracking methods.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers noninvasive visualization, but requires contrast agents for sensitive detection.
- Super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles are potential MRI contrast agents for cell tracking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of SPIO contrast agents on primary murine NSC and C17.2 neural stem cell line differentiation and migration.
- To determine the optimal SPIO concentration for in vivo MRI detection of small clusters of transplanted cells.
Main Methods:
- Murine primary NSCs and C17.2 cells were labeled with varying SPIO concentrations (0-250 microg Fe/mL).
- In vitro assays assessed cell differentiation.
- In vivo MRI was performed after neonatal transplantation to compare migration capabilities.
Main Results:
- Both cell types differentiated into neurons similarly; SPIO presence did not affect viability or differentiation.
- In vivo MRI detected grafted cells only at SPIO concentrations of 100 microg/mL or higher.
- C17.2 cells showed extensive brain migration, while primary NSCs exhibited more restricted migration.
Conclusions:
- SPIO-labeled primary NSCs can be detected noninvasively using in vivo MRI.
- SPIO particles do not impede NSC viability, differentiation, or engraftment patterns.
- SPIO labeling facilitates tracking of neural stem cell transplantation and migration.
