On-Chip Sonoporation-Based Flow Cytometric Magnetic Labeling.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Magnetic labeling of cells is crucial for tracking cell therapies in vivo using MRI.
• Current cell labeling methods are inefficient and time-consuming, hindering research progress.
• A need exists for rapid, safe, and continuous cell labeling techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel sonoporation-based microfluidic chip (MCU) for efficient magnetic cell labeling.
• To optimize operating conditions for loading superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles into cells.
• To evaluate the viability, labeling efficiency, and in vivo imaging capability of MCU-labeled cells.

Main Methods:

• Utilized flow cytometry and sonoporation integrated into a microfluidic chip (MCU).
• Experimentally determined optimal conditions for SPIO nanoparticle loading into DC2.4 cells.
• Assessed cell viability, SPIO quantity per cell, and cell proliferation post-labeling.
• Performed in vivo MRI tracking of labeled DC2.4 cells in mouse muscle tissue.

Main Results:

• Achieved safe and instant magnetic labeling of DC2.4 cells in approximately 2 minutes using the MCU.
• Maintained high cell viability (94%) and efficient SPIO loading (19 pg iron/cell).
• Demonstrated sustained in vivo MRI detectability of labeled cells for up to 7 days.
• Confirmed that cell proliferative functions were preserved after magnetic labeling.

Conclusions:

• The developed MCU provides a safe, instant, and continuous method for magnetic cell labeling.
• This technology significantly improves upon existing cumbersome labeling techniques.
• The MCU facilitates advanced MRI-based cell tracking for cell therapy research and applications.