In vivo MR imaging of intraportal vein transplantation nanometer magnetically labeled bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rat liver

Abstract

Objective To evaluate in vivo magnetic resonance imaging with aconventional 1.5-T system for tracking of intra-portal vein trans-plantation nanometer magnetically labeled bone marrow mesenchy-mal stem cells (BMSC) in rat liver.Materials and Methods Rat BMSC were labeled with nanome-ter superpara-magnetic iron oxide and transfection agent. Cell label-ing efficiency was assessed with determination of the percentage ofPerls Prussian blue stain. Then BMSC intra-portal vein transplantedinto normal rats’ livers. Follow-up serial T2*-weighted gradient-echoMR imaging were performed at 1.5-T MRI system. MR imaging findings were compared histologically.Results Cell labeling efficiency was more than 95% by Perls Pruss-ian blue stain-positive cells. After labeled BMSC intra-portal veintransplantation, liver had diffuse granular signal intensity appearance.Cell were detected for up to 2 w in liver. At histologic analysis, signalintensity loss correlated with iron-loaded cells.Conclusion MR imaging could aid in monitoring of intra-portalvein administered magnetically labeled BMSC in vivo.