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High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of iron-labeled myoblasts using a standard 1.5-T clinical scanner

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Abstract

Myoblast transplantation is a promising means of restoring cardiac function in infarcted areas. For optimization of transplant protocols, tracking the location and fate of the injected cells is necessary. An attractive imaging modality for this is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as it is noninvasive and as iron-labeled myoblasts provide a signal attenuation in T2*-weighted protocols. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient iron-labeling protocol for myoblasts and to visualize single-labeled cells using a clinical 1.5-T scanner. Pig myoblasts were labeled with a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) agent using a liposome transfection agent. Labeling efficiency, toxicity, cell viability, and proliferative capacity were measured for 10 days. Magnetic resonance (MR) of myoblast cultures used a T2*-weighted three-dimensional protocol with a maximum in-plane resolution of 19.5 × 26.0 μm2 and 50 μm slices. Use of liposomes improved SPIO labeling efficiency. Labeling did not induce toxicity or affect cell viability or proliferation. The cell distribution as observed with light and fluorescence microscopy matched the signal voids observed in the MRI datasets. Liposomes promote fast, nontoxic and efficient SPIO labeling of myoblasts that can be tracked by MRI microscopy in clinical scanners using susceptibility-weighted protocols.

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Acknowledgments.

The authors wish to thank Dr. Linda Everse, Ph.D. for helping to revise the manuscript and helpful advice regarding experimental methodology, and Herman Flick (Flick Engineering B.V., The Netherlands) for providing the dedicated receiver coil used for the MRI experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Research School Coeur, Erasmus MC – University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Radiology, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Z. Zhang, P. A. Wielopolski & G. P. Krestin

  2. Cardiovascular Research School Coeur, Erasmus MC – University Medical Center Rotterdam, Experimental Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, The Netherlands

    E. J. van den Bos, M. de Jong-Popijus & D. J. Duncker

Authors
  1. Z. Zhang
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  2. E. J. van den Bos
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  3. P. A. Wielopolski
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  4. M. de Jong-Popijus
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  5. D. J. Duncker
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  6. G. P. Krestin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. A. Wielopolski.

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Zhang, Z., van den Bos, E., Wielopolski, P. et al. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of iron-labeled myoblasts using a standard 1.5-T clinical scanner. MAGMA 17, 201–209 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-004-0054-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-004-0054-8

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