Trimodal Cell Tracking In Vivo: Combining Iron- and Fluorine-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Magnetic Particle Imaging to Monitor the Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and the Ensuing Inflammation

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is limited, as many cells undergo apoptosis following administration. In addition, the attraction of immune cells (predominately macrophages) to the site of implantation can lead to MSC rejection. We implemented a trimodal imaging technique to monitor the fate of transplanted MSCs and infiltrating macrophages in vivo. MSCs were labeled with an iron oxide nanoparticle (ferumoxytol) and then implanted within the hind limb muscle of 10 C57BI/6 mice. Controls received unlabeled MSCs (n = 5). A perfluorocarbon agent was administered intravenously for uptake by phagocytic macrophages in situ; 1 and 12 days later, the ferumoxytol-labeled MSCs were detected by proton (H-1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI). Perfluorocarbon-labeled macrophages were detected by fluorine-19 (F-19) MRI. H-1/F-19 MRI was acquired on a clinical scanner (3 T) using a dual-tuned surface coil and balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence. The measured volume of signal loss and MPI signal declined over 12 days, which is consistent with the death and clearance of iron-labeled MSCs. F-19 signal persisted over 12 days, suggesting the continuous infiltration of perfluorocarbon-labeled macrophages. Because MPI and F-19 MRI signals are directly quantitative, we calculated estimates of the number of MSCs and macrophages present over time. The presence of MSCs and macrophages was validated with histology following the last imaging session. This is the first study to combine the use of iron- and fluorine-based MRI with MPI cell tracking.