Background: Magnetic resonance imaging provides a noninvasive method to study the fate of transplanted cells in vivo. Objective: We studied the fate of embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles (Endorem®) and human CD34+ cells labeled with magnetic MicroBeads (Miltenyi) in rats with a cortical or spinal cord lesion. Methods: Cells were grafted intracerebrally, contralaterally to a cortical photochemical lesion, or injected intravenously. Results: During the 1st week after transplantation, transplanted cells migrated to the lesion and were visible in the lesion on MR images as a hypointensive signal, persisting for more than 30 days. In rats with a balloon-induced spinal cord compression lesion, we observed an increase in functional recovery and hind limb sensitivity after implantation of Endorem-labeled mesenchymal stem cells or a freshly prepared mononuclear fraction of bone marrow cells or after injection of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Morphometric measurements in the center of the lesions showed an increase in white matter volume in cell-treated animals. Prussian blue staining confirmed a large number of Prussian blue-positive cells, and the lesions were considerably smaller than in control animals. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging of grafted adult as well as embryonic stem cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles is a useful method for evaluating their migration and fate in CNS.

Keywords:
Cell transplantation, Nanoparticles, Photochemical lesion, Spinal cord injury, Stroke
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel
2006
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.