Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Single Co-Labeled Mesenchymal Stromal Cells after Intracardial Injection in Mice

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish co-labeling of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) for the detection of single MSC in-vivo by MRI and histological validation.

Materials and Methods: Mouse MSC were co-labeled with fluorescent iron oxide micro-particles and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE). The cellular iron content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cell proliferation and expression of characteristic surface markers were determined by flow cytometry. The chondrogenic differentiation capacity was assessed. Different amounts of cells (n1 = 5000, n2 = 15 000, n3 = 50 000) were injected into the left heart ventricle of 12 mice. The animals underwent sequential MRI on a clinical 3.0 T scanner (Intera, Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands). For histological validation cryosections were examined by fluorescent microscopy.

Results: Magnetic and fluorescent labeling of MSC was established (mean cellular iron content 23.6 ± 3 pg). Flow cytometry showed similar cell proliferation and receptor expression of labeled and unlabeled MSC. Chondrogenic differentiation of labeled MSC was verified. After cell injection MRI revealed multiple signal voids in the brain and fewer signal voids in the kidneys. In the brain, an average of 4.6 ± 1.2 (n1), 9.0 ± 3.6 (n2) and 25.0 ± 1.0 (n3) signal voids were detected per MRI slice. An average of 8.7 ± 3.1 (n1), 22.0 ± 6.1 (n2) and 89.8 ± 6.5 (n3) labeled cells per corresponding stack of adjacent cryosections could be detected in the brain. Statistical correlation of the numbers of MRI signal voids in the brain and single MSC found by histology revealed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.91.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates efficient magnetic and fluorescent co-labeling of MSC and their detection on a single cell level in mice by in-vivo MRI and histology. The described techniques may broaden the methods for in-vivo tracking of MSC.

Key Points:

• Detection of single magnetically labeled MSC in-vivo using a clinical 3.0 T MRI is possible.

• Fluorescent and magnetic co-labeling does not affect cell vitality.

• The number of cells detected by MRI and histology has a high correlation.

Citation Format:

• Salamon J, Wicklein D, Didié M et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Single Co-Labeled Mesenchymal Stromal Cells after Intracardial Injection in Mice. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2014; 186: 367 – 376

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Etablierung einer Doppelmarkierung mesenchymaler Stromazellen (MSZ) zur in-vivo Detektion einzelner MSZ mittels MRT und zur histologischen Validierung.

Material und Methoden: Murine MSZ wurden mit fluoreszierenden Eisenmikropartikeln und Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester (CFSE) markiert. Der zelluläre Eisengehalt wurde mittels Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie bestimmt. Zellprolieferation und Expression charakteristischer Oberflächenmarker wurden mittels Durchflusszytometrie bestimmt. Die chondrogene Differenzierungskapazität wurde überprüft. Verschiedene Zellanzahlen (n1 = 5000, n2 = 15 000, n3 = 50 000) wurden bei 12 Mäusen in den linken Herzventrikel injiziert. Es erfolgte die sequenzielle MRT der Tiere an einem klinischen 3.0 T MRT. Zur histologischen Validierung wurden Kryostatschnitte fluoreszensmikroskopisch untersucht.

Ergebnisse: Die magnetische und fluoreszierende Doppelmarkierung von MSZ wurde etabliert (mittlerer zellulärer Eisengehalt 23,6 ± 4,3 pg). Durchflusszytometrisch zeigten sich ähnliche Zellprolieferationsraten und Rezeptorexpressionsprofile von markierten und unmarkierten MSZ. Die chondrogene Differenzierung der doppelt markierten MSZ wurde verifiziert. Nach Zellinjektion zeigten sich im MRT multiple Signalauslöschungen im Hirn und geringer in der Niere. Im Hirn fanden sich durchschnittlich 4,6 ± 1,2 (n1), 9,0 ± 3,6 (n2) und 25,0 ± 1,0 (n3) Signalauslöschungen pro Schicht. Durchschnittlich fanden sich 8,7 ± 3,1 (n1), 22,0 ± 6,1 (n2) und 89,8 ± 6,5 (n3) Zellen pro korrespondierendem Kryostatschnitt. Die statistische Korrelation der mittels MRT detektierten Signalauslöschungen und der histologisch nachgewiesenen Zellen ergab einen Korrelationskoeffizienten von r = 0,91.

Schlussfolgerung: Die Studie zeigt die erfolgreiche magnetische und fluoreszierende Doppelmarkierung von MSZ und deren Detektion auf Einzelzellniveau mittels in vivo MRT und Histologie. Die beschriebenen Techniken tragen zur Erweiterung der Methoden für das in vivo Monitoring von MSZ bei.

Kernaussagen:

• Die Detektion einzelner magnetisch markierter Zellen in vivo im 3,0 T MRT ist möglich.

• Die magnetische und Fluoreszenzmarkierung haben keinen negativen Einfluss auf die Zellvitalität.

• Die Anzahl mittels MRT und Histologie detektierter Zellen zeigt eine hohe Korrelation.

Key words

magnetic resonance imaging - mesenchymal stromal cells - SPIO - intracardial injection

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