Journal
JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Volume 32, Issue 5, Pages 1076-1085Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.22353
Keywords
mesenchymal stem cells; stem cell transplantation; magnetic resonance imaging; peripheral nerve injury; animals
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [30400115]
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province [04300241]
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Purpose: To investigate in vivo MRI tracking mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in peripheral nerve injures using a clinically available paramagnetic contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) and commercially available rhodamine-incorporated transfection reagents (PEI-FluoR). Materials and Methods: After bone marrow MSCs were labeled with Gd-DTPA and PEI-FluoR complex, the labeling efficacy and longevity of Gd-DTPA maintenance were measured and cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were assessed. Thirty-six rabbits with acute sciatic nerve traction injury randomly received 1 x 10(6) labeled (n = 12) or unlabeled MSCs (n = 12) or vehicle alone injection. The distribution and migration of implanted cells was followed by MRI and correlated with histology. The relative signal intensity (RSL) of the grafts was measured. Results: The labeling efficiency was 76 +/- 4.7% and the labeling procedure did not influence cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. A persistent higher RSL in grafts was found in the labeled group compared with the unlabeled and vehicle groups until 10 days after transplantation (P < 0.05). The distribution and migration of labeled cells could be tracked by MRI until 10 days after transplantation. Transplanted MSCs were not found to transdifferentiate into Schwann-like cells within 14-day follow-up. Conclusion: Labeling MSCs with the dual agents may enable cellular MRI of the engraftment in the experimental peripheral nerve injury.
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