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Positive‐contrast cellular MRI of embryonic stem cells for tissue regeneration using a highly efficient T 1 MRI contrast agent
Author(s) -
Loai Sadi,
Haedicke Inga,
Mirzaei Zahra,
Simmons Craig A.,
Zhang Xiaoan,
Cheng Hai Ling
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.25299
Subject(s) - contrast (vision) , embryonic stem cell , stem cell , mri contrast agent , magnetic resonance imaging , regeneration (biology) , pathology , medicine , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , radiology , computer science , biochemistry , artificial intelligence , gene
Purpose To investigate the feasibility of high‐sensitivity cellular MRI of embryonic stem (ES) cells using a novel cell permeable and cell retentive T 1 contrast agent. Materials and Methods Mouse ES cells were labeled with a novel manganese porphyrin contrast agent, MnAMP, at 0.1 mM over 2 to 24 h and retained in contrast‐free medium for up to 24 h postlabeling. MRI was performed on a 3 Tesla clinical scanner; T 1 and T 2 relaxation times were measured. Quantification of manganese content was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Viability and proliferation assays were done for the longest labeling interval. Differentiation capacity was assessed using the hanging drop method to direct differentiation toward cardiomyocytes. Results MnAMP‐labeled ES cells exhibited over a fourfold decrease in T 1 compared with unlabeled cells, and maintained up to a threefold decrease 24 h postlabeling. Viability and proliferation were not affected. Most importantly, labeled ES cells differentiated into functional cardiomyocytes that exhibited normal contractility patterns. Conclusion MnAMP‐based cellular MRI is a very high sensitivity T 1 approach for cellular imaging. It has the potential for noninvasive in vivo monitoring of stem cell therapy in cardiac regeneration and other tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1456–1463.