Ferumoxytol: a new, clinically applicable label for stem-cell tracking in arthritic joints with MRI. (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khurana, Aman; Nejadnik, Hossein; Chapelin, Fanny; Lenkov, Olga; Gawande, Rakhee; Lee, Sungmin; Gupta, Sandeep N; Aflakian, Nooshin; Derugin, Nikita; Messing, Solomon; Lin, Guiting; Lue, Tom F; Pisani, Laura; Daldrup-Link, Heike E
• Is Part Of: Nanomedicine. Volume 8:Number 12(2013)
• Page Start: 1969
• Page End: 1983
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: iron oxide nanoparticle -- matrix-associated stem-cell implant -- MRI -- osteoarthritis -- stem-cell tracking; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Medical technology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-5889

Abstract

Aim: To develop a clinically applicable MRI technique for tracking stem cells in matrix-associated stem-cell implants, using the US FDA-approved iron supplement ferumoxytol.Materials & methods: Ferumoxytol-labeling of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) was optimized in vitro . A total of 11 rats with osteochondral defects of both femurs were implanted with ferumoxytol- or ferumoxides-labeled or unlabeled ADSCs, and underwent MRI up to 4 weeks post matrix-associated stem-cell implant. The signal-to-noise ratio of different matrix-associated stem-cell implant was compared with t -tests and correlated with histopathology.Results: An incubation concentration of 500 µg iron/ml ferumoxytol and 10 µg/ml protamine sulfate led to significant cellular iron uptake, T2 signal effects and unimpaired ADSC viability. In vivo, ferumoxytol- and ferumoxides-labeled ADSCs demonstrated significantly lower signal-to-noise ratio values compared with unlabeled controls (p < 0.01). Histopathology confirmed engraftment of labeled ADSCs, with slow dilution of the iron label over time.Conclusion: Ferumoxytol can be used for in vivo tracking of stem cells with MRI. Original submitted 28 February 2012; Revised submitted 8 November 2012