Gadolinium hexanedione nanoparticles for stem cell labeling and tracking via magnetic resonance imaging

Ching Li Tseng, I. Ling Shih, Leszek Stobinski, Feng Huei Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The ability to trace transplanted stem cells and monitor their tissue biodistribution is prerequisite to an understanding of cellular migration after transplantation. Therefore, a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent made of gadolinium hexanedione nanoparticles (GdH-NPs) was developed as a cell tracking agent. The GdH-NPs were fabricated by the microemulsion process. The physical characteristics, biocompatibility, and T1-MRI signal enhancement of these NPs were analyzed and evaluated for stem cell tracking. In this study, the size of the synthesized GdH-NPs was about 140. nm, and it had greater image enhancement ability than commercial gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). From the biocompability test, we found GdH-NPs were nontoxic for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The expression of surface antigens of hMSCs after culture with GdH-NPs was examined, and it showed no difference from the control group. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging for labeled hMSCs showed GdH-NPs were accumulated in the cells by the endocytotic pathway. The accumulation of GdH-NPs in hMSCs was three times higher in comparison to Gd-DTPA. Human MSCs labeled with low concentration of GdH-NPs (10μg/mL) hold better signals in cellular MR image. We conclude GdH-NPs can be used to label hMSCs in vitro with greater T1 image-enhancing property and without affecting cell quality. Finally, GdH-NPs have great potential as a contrast agent for stem cell tracking by MRI methodology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5427-5435
Number of pages9
JournalBiomaterials
Volume31
Issue number20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cell tracker
  • Gadolinium
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Nanoparticle
  • Stem cell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Bioengineering
  • Biophysics
  • Biomaterials

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