MCF-7, ACHN, and A549 Cancer Cells Characterized by Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Vitro

Abstract

To work with cancer cell cultures in vitro at 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), it was necessary to develop dedicated receiver coils. This device allowed to adjust the shape of the tested objects and thus improve the quality of imaging. One of the conditions for this new device was to increase the recorded signal level and reduce the distance between the tested object and the receiving elements of the coil. MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma, Her-2 positive), ACHN (kidney cancer cells), and A549 (lung cancer cells) were characterized by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro. MRI measurements were performed using the clinical scanner with a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field. MCF-7, ACHN, and A549 cancer cells were characterized by T1 and T2 relaxation times. For MCF-7 cells, the relaxation times T1 and T2 were 2360 ± 12 ms and 116 ± 0.9 ms, respectively. For ACHN cells, the relaxation times T1 and T2 were 1354 ± 193 ms and 80 ± 9 ms, respectively. Values of T1 and T2 for A549 cancer cells cultures were 1527 ± 59 ms and 150 ± 8 ms, respectively. Once an accurate pulse protocol has been established and satisfactory reproducibility was obtained, the determination of relaxation times can be used as a tool to monitor cancer cell cultures using MRI in vitro based on the determination of changes in relaxation times.