In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of immune cells in the central nervous system with superparamagnetic antibodies

• Published in: The FASEB journal 2004-01, Vol.18 (1), p.179-182
• Main Authors: Pirko, Istvan, Johnson, Aaron, Ciric, Bogoljub, Gamez, Jeff, Macura, Slobodan I., Pease, Larry R., Rodriguez, Moses
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies - chemistry; Antibodies - immunology; Cardiovirus Infections - immunology; Cardiovirus Infections - pathology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Cell Movement; cell‐specific MRI; Central Nervous System - cytology; Central Nervous System - immunology; Central Nervous System - pathology; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS - immunology; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS - pathology; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - immunology; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental - pathology; experimental MRI imaging; Kinetics; Macrophages - cytology; Macrophages - immunology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Multiple Sclerosis - pathology; Multiple Sclerosis - virology; targeted contrast materials; Theiler's encephalomyelitis virus
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fj.02-1124fje

ABSTRACT We developed a novel MRI technique to image immune cell location and homing in vivo to the central nervous system (CNS). Superparamagnetic antibodies specific for cell surface markers allowed imaging of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and Mac1+ cells in the CNS of mice infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) and in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Superparamagnetic antibodies have excellent T2, T2∗, and good T1 relaxation properties, which makes them ideal MRI contrast materials. Immunohistochemistry of corresponding sections confirmed the specificity of the technique to detect immune cell types in the CNS. This powerful technique has potential to image any cell with unique surface antigens. Because superparamagnetic antibodies similar to those used in the study are approved for human use, the in vivo MRI technique we have described could be developed for human use.