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

• Published in: Biomaterials 2010-07, Vol.31 (20), p.5427-5435
• Main Authors: Tseng, Ching-Li, Shih, I.-Ling, Stobinski, Leszek, Lin, Feng-Huei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Biomarkers - metabolism; Cell tracker; Coculture Techniques; Contrast Media - chemistry; Contrast Media - pharmacology; Dentistry; Endocytosis - drug effects; Gadolinium; Humans; Intracellular Space - drug effects; Intracellular Space - metabolism; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Mass Spectrometry; Materials Testing; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - drug effects; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - metabolism; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - ultrastructure; Nanoparticle; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Organometallic Compounds - chemistry; Organometallic Compounds - pharmacology; Particle Size; Staining and Labeling - methods; Stem cell
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.03.049

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 (10 μg/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.