Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to describe ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides labelling
of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) and the detection and semiquantitative
evaluation of the labelled cells after implantation in artificial canine stifle defects
using magnetic resonance imaging.
Methods Magnetic resonance imaging examinations of 10 paired (n = 20) cadaveric stifle joints were evaluated after creation of chondral defects and
embedding of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides labelled canine mesenchymal
stem cells. To prove the feasibility of the labelling for in vivo usage, Prussian blue staining, cell vitality tests and intralesional administration
of labelled cells were conducted. Magnetic resonance imaging of ex vivo defects filled with different cell concentrations was obtained to depict the cell
content semiquantitatively via signal intensity measurements (region of interest).
Results Prussian blue staining showed that the labelling was effective. According to the
vitality tests, it had no significant short-term influence on cell viability and proliferation
rate. For the evaluation of the defect T2* sequences were feasible and stifle defects
were visible allowing measurements of the signal intensity in all cases. Increasing
the cell concentration within the chondral defects resulted in an inversely proportional,
significant reduction of signal intensity according to the region of interest.
Clinical Significance Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides labelling was effective. The detection of
the AdMSCs in a complex anatomical structure like the surface of the femoral condyle
was possible and the T2* signal intensity of the implant region was significantly
correlated with the concentration of the AdMSCs.
Keywords
stem cell - MRI - tracking - dog - iron oxide
