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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Monitoring Dendritic Cell Migration using 19F / 1H Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 20, 2013
PLGA-encapsulated perfluorocarbon nanoparticles for simultaneous visualization of distinct cell populations by 19F
Mangala Srinivas1, Jurjen Tel1, Gerty Schreibelt1
1Department of Tumor Immunology, & Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Aim:
In vivo imaging using (19)F MRI is advantageous, due to its ability to quantify cell numbers, but is limited for a lack of suitable labels. Here, we formulate two stable and clinically applicable labels for tracking two populations of primary human dendritic cells (DCs) simultaneously.
Materials & Methods:
Plasmacytoid and myeloid DCs are able to take up sufficient nanoparticles (200 nm) for imaging (10(12 19)F's per cell), despite being relatively nonphagocytic.
Results:
Clinically relevant numbers of labeled DCs could be imaged in about 10 min, even on a clinical scanner.
Conclusion:
We demonstrate the use of perfluorocarbon nanoparticles for simultaneous (19)F MRI of distinct cell populations in a clinical setting, without spectroscopic imaging.
Insights
Researchers developed novel perfluorocarbon nanoparticles for simultaneous fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) of two distinct dendritic cell (DC) populations. This breakthrough enables precise cell tracking in a clinical setting.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) offers quantitative cell tracking capabilities.
- A significant limitation of 19F MRI is the lack of suitable, clinically applicable labels for specific cell populations.
- Simultaneous tracking of multiple cell types is crucial for understanding complex biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate stable, clinically applicable labels for simultaneous in vivo tracking of distinct dendritic cell (DC) populations using 19F MRI.
- To assess the feasibility of using perfluorocarbon nanoparticles for labeling and imaging primary human DCs.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of two distinct perfluorocarbon nanoparticle-based labels.
- Incubation of primary human plasmacytoid and myeloid DCs with nanoparticles (200 nm).
- Assessment of nanoparticle uptake and subsequent imaging using 19F MRI on a clinical scanner.
Main Results:
- Both plasmacytoid and myeloid DCs effectively internalized sufficient nanoparticles for imaging (10^12 19F atoms per cell), despite their limited phagocytic capacity.
- Clinically relevant numbers of labeled DCs were successfully imaged within approximately 10 minutes.
- Imaging was achievable even on a standard clinical MRI scanner without the need for specialized spectroscopic imaging techniques.
Conclusions:
- Perfluorocarbon nanoparticles are effective and stable labels for simultaneous 19F MRI of distinct dendritic cell populations.
- This method allows for quantitative cell tracking in a clinical setting, overcoming previous limitations in label availability.
- The developed approach facilitates advanced in vivo cell imaging for immunological and clinical applications.
