In situ labeling of immune cells with iron oxide particles: an approach to detect organ rejection by cellular MRI

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Feb 7;103(6):1852-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0507198103. Epub 2006 Jan 27.

Abstract

In vivo cell tracking by MRI can provide means to observe biological processes and monitor cell therapy directly. Immune cells, e.g., macrophages, play crucial roles in many pathophysiological processes, including organ rejection, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, atherosclerotic plaque formation, numerous neurological disorders, etc. The current gold standard for diagnosing and staging rejection after organ transplantation is biopsy, which is not only invasive, but also prone to sampling errors. Here, we report a noninvasive approach using MRI to detect graft rejection after solid organ transplantation. In addition, we present the feasibility of imaging individual macrophages in vivo by MRI in a rodent heterotopic working-heart transplantation model using a more sensitive contrast agent, the micrometer-sized paramagnetic iron oxide particle, as a methodology to detect acute cardiac rejection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Ferric Compounds*
  • Graft Rejection / diagnosis*
  • Graft Rejection / immunology*
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology
  • Heart Transplantation / pathology
  • Lung Transplantation / immunology
  • Lung Transplantation / pathology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Rats
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology
  • Transplantation, Homologous / pathology

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide