MRI quantification of USPIO-labeled cell density and number

Abstract

MRI is capable of tracking cells after transplantation in cell-based therapies, assessing anatomical and functional recovery in vivo with high spatial resolution. Quantitative analysis of labeled cells after transplantation may allow more accurate assessment of cell delivery and subsequent distribution and migration, which can lead to more effective monitoring and optimization of therapeutic paradigms. In this study, we present a MRI technique to quantify magnetically labeled cells that were injected in agarose gel phantoms, mimicking the in vivo transplantation. The technique demonstrated here is potentially applicable for accurate assessment of local retention of donor cells in specific tissue or organ after systemic and local injection in cell-based therapies.