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01-05-2009 | Research Article

Comparison of Optical Bioluminescence Reporter Gene and Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide MR Contrast Agent as Cell Markers for Noninvasive Imaging of Cardiac Cell Transplantation

Authors: Ian Y. Chen, Joan M. Greve, Olivier Gheysens, Jürgen K. Willmann, Martin Rodriguez-Porcel, Pauline Chu, Ahmad Y. Sheikh, Anthony Z. Faranesh, Ramasamy Paulmurugan, Phillip C. Yang, Joseph C. Wu, Sanjiv S. Gambhir

Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we compared firefly luciferase (Fluc) reporter gene and superparamagnetic iron oxide (Feridex) as cell markers for longitudinal monitoring of cardiomyoblast graft survival using optical bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively.

Procedures

Rats (n = 31) underwent an intramyocardial injection of cardiomyoblasts (2 × 10⁶) labeled with Fluc, Feridex, or no marker (control) or an injection of Feridex alone (75 μg). Afterward, rats were serially imaged with BLI or MRI and killed at different time points for histological analysis.

Results

BLI revealed a drastically different cell survival kinetics (half-life = 2.65 days over 6 days) than that revealed by MRI (half-life = 16.8 days over 80 days). Injection of Feridex alone led to prolonged tissue retention of Feridex (≥16 days) and persistent MR signal (≥42 days).

Conclusions

Fluc BLI reporter gene imaging is a more accurate gauge of transplanted cell survival as compared to MRI of Feridex-labeled cells.

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Title: Comparison of Optical Bioluminescence Reporter Gene and Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide MR Contrast Agent as Cell Markers for Noninvasive Imaging of Cardiac Cell Transplantation
Authors: Ian Y. Chen
Joan M. Greve
Olivier Gheysens
Jürgen K. Willmann
Martin Rodriguez-Porcel
Pauline Chu
Ahmad Y. Sheikh
Anthony Z. Faranesh
Ramasamy Paulmurugan
Phillip C. Yang
Joseph C. Wu
Sanjiv S. Gambhir
Publication date: 01-05-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1536-1632
Electronic ISSN: 1860-2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-008-0182-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Comparison of Optical Bioluminescence Reporter Gene and Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide MR Contrast Agent as Cell Markers for Noninvasive Imaging of Cardiac Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Purpose

Procedures

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Procedures

Results

Conclusions

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