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Cell tracking with optical imaging

  • Molecular Imaging
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Abstract

Adaptability, sensitivity, resolution and non-invasiveness are the attributes that have contributed to the longstanding use of light as an investigational tool and form the basis of optical imaging (OI). OI, which encompasses numerous techniques and methods, is rapid (<5 min), inexpensive, noninvasive, nontoxic (no radiation) and has molecular (single-cell) sensitivity, which is equal to that of conventional nuclear imaging and several orders of magnitude greater than MRI. This article provides a comprehensive overview of emerging applications of OI-based techniques for in vivo monitoring of new stem cell-based therapies. Different fluorochromes for cell labeling, labeling methods and OI-based cell-tracking techniques will be reviewed with respect to their technical principles, current applications and aims for clinical translation. Advantages and limitations of these new OI-based cell-tracking techniques will be discussed. Non-invasive mapping of cells labeled with fluorochromes or OI marker genes has the potential to evolve further within the clinical realm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143–0628, USA

    Elizabeth J. Sutton, Tobias D. Henning & Heike E. Daldrup-Link

  2. Laboratory for Preclinical Imaging and Imaging Technology of the Werner Siemens-Foundation, Department of Radiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany

    Bernd J. Pichler

  3. Department of Radiology & Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (FG3), University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany

    Christoph Bremer

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  1. Elizabeth J. Sutton
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  2. Tobias D. Henning
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  3. Bernd J. Pichler
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  4. Christoph Bremer
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  5. Heike E. Daldrup-Link
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Correspondence to Heike E. Daldrup-Link.

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Sutton, E.J., Henning, T.D., Pichler, B.J. et al. Cell tracking with optical imaging. Eur Radiol 18, 2021–2032 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0984-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0984-z

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