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Labeling hESCs and hMSCs with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Non-Invasive in vivo Tracking with MR Imaging
Published on: March 31, 2008
Multiwall carbon nanotubes as MRI contrast agents for tracking stem cells
Orazio Vittorio1, Suzanne L Duce, Andrea Pietrabissa
1Medical Science Laboratory, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy. o.vittorio@sssup.it
Nanotechnology
|January 29, 2011
Summary
Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with low iron impurities show promise as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. These MWCNTs effectively image stem cells without harming them, suggesting potential for in vivo tracking and cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) requires contrast agents to enhance image quality.
- Developing novel, effective, and safe contrast agents is crucial for advanced medical imaging.
- Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) offer unique structural and magnetic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of low-impurity multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as MRI contrast agents.
- To assess the impact of MWCNTs on stem cell viability and proliferation.
- To explore the potential applications of MWCNTs in cellular MRI and targeted cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of MWCNTs with low iron impurities (2.57%).
- Measurement of r(2) relaxivity of MWCNTs in agarose gels.
- Labeling of stem cells with MWCNTs and assessment of cell viability and proliferation.
- In vitro evaluation of MWCNTs as MRI contrast agents for cellular imaging.
Main Results:
- MWCNTs exhibited high r(2) relaxivity (564 ± 41 s(-1) mM(-1)), attributed to iron impurities and the carbon structure.
- Stem cell labeling with MWCNTs did not compromise cell viability or proliferation.
- Demonstrated effectiveness of MWCNTs for cellular MRI.
Conclusions:
- Low-impurity MWCNTs are effective MRI contrast agents with potential for stem cell tracking and imaging.
- MWCNTs show promise for in vivo applications, including stem cell tracking and MWCNT-mediated electro-chemotherapy.
- The findings support the use of MWCNTs in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
