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Updated: May 12, 2026
Labeling Stem Cells with Ferumoxytol, an FDA-Approved Iron Oxide Nanoparticle
Published on: November 4, 2011
Ferumoxytol: a new, clinically applicable label for stem-cell tracking in arthritic joints with MRI
Aman Khurana1, Hossein Nejadnik, Fanny Chapelin
1Department of Radiology & Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Aim:
To develop a clinically applicable MRI technique for tracking stem cells in matrix-associated stem-cell implants, using the US FDA-approved iron supplement ferumoxytol.
Materials & Methods:
Ferumoxytol-labeling of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was optimized in vitro. A total of 11 rats with osteochondral defects of both femurs were implanted with ferumoxytol- or ferumoxides-labeled or unlabeled ADSCs, and underwent MRI up to 4 weeks post matrix-associated stem-cell implant. The signal-to-noise ratio of different matrix-associated stem-cell implant was compared with t-tests and correlated with histopathology.
Results:
An incubation concentration of 500 µg iron/ml ferumoxytol and 10 µg/ml protamine sulfate led to significant cellular iron uptake, T2 signal effects and unimpaired ADSC viability. In vivo, ferumoxytol- and ferumoxides-labeled ADSCs demonstrated significantly lower signal-to-noise ratio values compared with unlabeled controls (p < 0.01). Histopathology confirmed engraftment of labeled ADSCs, with slow dilution of the iron label over time.
Conclusion:
Ferumoxytol can be used for in vivo tracking of stem cells with MRI.
