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In vivo MRI of intraspinally injected SPIO-labelled human CD34+ cells in a transgenic mouse model of ALS
S Willenbrock1, S Knippenberg, M Meier
1Small Animal Clinic, Research Cluster of Excellence REBIRTH, University for Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 9, D-30559 Hannover, Germany.
Background/Aim:
Administration of stem cells is a promising novel approach for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. For in vivo monitoring of transplanted cells, non-invasive imaging modalities are needed. In this study we determined the tracking efficiency of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labelled canine cell line (MTH53A) in vitro as well as the human CD34(+) umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBCs) in vitro and in vivo efficiency by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Materials And Methods:
SPIO-labelled MTH53A cells and hUCBCs were scanned in agar gel phantoms at 1.0 T or 7.0 T. For in vivo detection, 100,000 labelled hUCBCs were injected into the spinal cord of a transgenic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mouse and scanned at 7.0 T.
Results:
In vitro, 100,000 MTH53A cells and 250,000 hUCBCs were visible at 1.0 T. Scanning with 7.0 T revealed 25,000 detectable MTH53A cells. In vivo, 7.0 T MRI showed clear signals of 100,000 implanted cells.
Conclusion:
MRI combined with SPIO nanoparticles provides valuable potential for non-invasive, non-toxic in vivo tracking of cells implanted into the spinal cord.
