Superparamagnetic iron oxide is suitable to label tendon stem cells and track them in vivo with MR imaging

Ann Biomed Eng. 2013 Oct;41(10):2109-19. doi: 10.1007/s10439-013-0802-x. Epub 2013 Apr 3.

Abstract

Tendon stem cells (TSCs) may be used to effectively repair or regenerate injured tendons. However, the fates of TSCs once implanted in vivo remain unclear. This study was aimed to determine the feasibility of labeling TSCs with super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nano-particles to track TSCs in vivo using MRI. Rabbit TSCs were labeled by incubation with 50 μg/mL SPIO. Labeling efficiency, cell viability, and proliferation were then measured, and the stemness of TSCs was tested by quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry. We found that the labeling efficiency of TSCs reached as high as 98%, and that labeling at 50 μg/mL SPIO concentrations did not alter cell viability and cell proliferation compared to non-labeled control cells. Moreover, the expression levels of stem cell markers (Nucleostemin, Nanog, and Oct-4) did not change in SPIO-labeled TSCs compared to non-labeled cells. Both labeled and non-labeled cells also exhibited similar differentiation potential. Finally, labeled TSCs could be detected by MRI both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the findings of this study show that labeling TSCs with SPIO particles is a feasible approach to track TSCs in vivo by MRI, which offers a non-invasive method to monitor repair of injured tendons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Allografts
  • Animals
  • Cell Survival
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles*
  • Male
  • Rabbits
  • Radiography
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Stem Cells* / diagnostic imaging
  • Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Tendon Injuries / metabolism
  • Tendon Injuries / therapy
  • Tendons* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tendons* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • ferric oxide