204 MUSCLE REGENERATION AND TRACKING OF HUMAN MUSCLE PRECURSOR CELLS BY MRI IN VIVO

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You have accessJournal of UrologyStem Cell Research1 Apr 2012204 MUSCLE REGENERATION AND TRACKING OF HUMAN MUSCLE PRECURSOR CELLS BY MRI IN VIVO Fahd Azzabi, Virginija Jovaisaite, Andreas Boss, Josiane Njiwa, Markus Rudin, Tullio Sulser, and Daniel Eberli Fahd AzzabiFahd Azzabi Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Virginija JovaisaiteVirginija Jovaisaite Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Andreas BossAndreas Boss Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Josiane NjiwaJosiane Njiwa Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Markus RudinMarkus Rudin Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Tullio SulserTullio Sulser Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author , and Daniel EberliDaniel Eberli Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.257AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), the involuntary loss of urine, is a medical problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Recent research suggests stem cell therapy as a potential solution to restore a normal sphincter function. Clinical trials to treat SUI by autologous Muscle Precursor Cells (MPC) transplantation are currently in preparation. In addition to functional follow-up, evaluation of cell survival and tissue formation is essential for understanding and improvement of cell therapies. Unfortunately, a biopsy of the newly engineered muscle would counteract the anticipated treatment. Therefore, tracking transplanted stem cell populations by a non-invasive manner, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), is desirable. One of the methods to render the cells clearly visible by MRI is intracellular incorporation of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPION) prior to transplantation. In this study we explored detrimental effects of increasing intracellular levels of SPIO in vitro and aimed to define a safe concentration in which human MPCs can be easily detected by MRI, without altering their cellular functions. METHODS Human MPCs were harvested following standard protocols and then labelled with increasing concentration of SPION (Endorem®, 100–1600 ìg/mL). In the following passage labelling efficiency, cell viability, growth, molecular characteristics and differentiation were examined in vitro. MPCs labelled with 400 ìg/mL SPIO were then injected into the subcutaneous space of nude mice and followed for 4 weeks by MRI imaging. At harvest muscle tissue formation was assessed macroscopically and by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Majority of cells were labelled, when 200 ìg/mL or more of SPIO was used. Labelling with more than 800ìg/mL of iron oxide reduced the viability of cells by 15-25%. In the long term, 800-1600 ìg/mL SPIO activated cell growth while it decreased MPC differentiation ratio by 10%. Using SPIO concentration of 400ìg/mL, no effects on cell viability, growth, differentiation and muscle-specific marker expression were detected, while labelling allowed the cells to be detected by MRI. Labelled human MPCs were then injected into the subcutaneous space of nude mice. Transplanted cells formed a muscle tissue, as confirmed by histological analysis. Location of the muscle was detectable by MRI for at least 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Our data concludes that the optimized conditions of MPC labelling can be safely used in clinics to track sphincter muscle regeneration in patients under SUI treatment by cell therapy. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e85 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Fahd Azzabi Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Virginija Jovaisaite Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Andreas Boss Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Josiane Njiwa Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Markus Rudin Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Tullio Sulser Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Daniel Eberli Zurich, Switzerland More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...