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In Vitro Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents for Labeling Human Liver Cells: Implications for Clinical Translation

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Abstract

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising approach for non-invasive monitoring after liver cell transplantation. We compared in vitro labeling of human liver cells with nano-sized (SPIO) and micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIO).

Procedures

The cellular iron load was quantified and phantom studies were performed using 3.0-T MRI. Transferrin receptor and ferritin gene expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, transaminase leakage, and urea synthesis were investigated over 6 days.

Results

Incubation with MPIO produced stronger signal extinctions in MRI at similar iron loads within shorter labeling time. MPIO had no negative effects on the cellular iron homeostasis or cell performance, whereas SPIO caused temporary ROS formation and non-physiologic activation of the iron metabolic pathway.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that MPIO are suited for clinical translation of strategies for cellular imaging with MRI. Attention should be paid to iron release and oxidative stress caused by biodegradable contrast agents.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Kerstin Nehls and Nora Brunner for the technical assistance, Virginia Ding-Reinelt for the MRI operational assistance, and Dr. Ulrich Gauger for the statistical analysis.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Igor M. Sauer

    Present address: General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Experimental Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, Charité-Campus Virchow, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Experimental Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, Charité-Campus Virchow, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany

    Nathanael Raschzok, David A. Muecke, Michaela K. Adonopoulou, Nils Billecke, Wiebke Werner, Nora N. Kammer, Anja Zielinski, Peter A. Behringer & Peter Neuhaus

  2. Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Hämatologie und Onkologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, 13353, Germany

    Frauke Ringel

  3. Leibnitz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., Berlin, 12489, Germany

    Mao D. Huang

  4. Radiology, Charité-Campus Mitte, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, 10117, Germany

    Ulf Teichgräber

Authors
  1. Nathanael Raschzok
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  2. David A. Muecke
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Correspondence to Nathanael Raschzok.

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Raschzok, N., Muecke, D.A., Adonopoulou, M.K. et al. In Vitro Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents for Labeling Human Liver Cells: Implications for Clinical Translation. Mol Imaging Biol 13, 613–622 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-010-0405-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-010-0405-y

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