Combination of single-photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to track 111in-oxine-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells in neuroblastoma-bearing mice

Mol Imaging. 2014:13. doi: 10.2310/7290.2014.00033.

Abstract

Homing is an inherent, complex, multistep process performed by cells such as human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to travel from a distant location to inflamed or damaged tissue and tumors. This ability of hMSCs has been exploited as a tumor-targeting strategy in cell-based cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of 111In-oxine for tracking hMSCs in vivo by combining single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 111In-labeled hMSCs (106 cells) were infused intraperitoneally in neuroblastoma-bearing mice, whereas a control group received a dose of free 111In-oxine. SPECT and MRI studies were performed 24 and 48 hours afterwards. Initially, the images showed similar activity in the abdomen in both controls and hMSC-injected animals. In general, abdominal activity decreases at 48 hours. hMSC-injected animals showed increased uptake in the tumor area at 48 hours, whereas the control group showed a low level of activity at 24 hours, which decreased at 48 hours. In conclusion, tracking 111In-labeled hMSCs combining SPECT and MRI is feasible and may be transferable to clinical research. The multimodal combination is essential to ensure appropriate interpretation of the images.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neuroblastoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacokinetics*
  • Oxyquinoline / analogs & derivatives*
  • Oxyquinoline / pharmacokinetics
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • indium oxine
  • Oxyquinoline