Magnetic resonance imaging of Fe3O4@SiO2-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells in mice at 11.7 T

Biomaterials. 2013 Apr;34(12):3010-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.01.022. Epub 2013 Jan 26.

Abstract

Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized and used to label human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for in vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging study. The diameter of the nanoparticles is 24-30 nm with a Fe(3)O(4) core of ∼8 nm and a SiO(2) shell of ~8 nm. Transverse relaxivity of the nanoparticles dispersed in water is measured to be ~106 mM(-1) s(-1). After incubation with hMSCs for 12 h at a concentration of 100 μg Fe/mL, cellular uptake of Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) is 20-100 pg Fe/cell, which are located predominantly in the cytoplasm of cells. This level of uptake exhibits no significant influence on hMSCs' viability and differentiation. In vitro imaging of Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)-labeled hMSCs evenly distributed in agarose gel yields single cell sensitivity at 11.7 T. In vivo imaging of Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)-labeled hMSCs injected into the left brain hemisphere of nude mice yields imaging sensitivity of ~130 hMSCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide
  • Silicon Dioxide