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Review
. 2011 Jan;3(1):142-53.
doi: 10.1039/c0nr00493f. Epub 2010 Oct 11.

Nanoparticles for cell labeling

Ashwinkumar Bhirde  1 , Jin Xie, Maggie Swierczewska, Xiaoyuan Chen
Affiliations
Review

Nanoparticles for cell labeling

Ashwinkumar Bhirde et al. Nanoscale. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Cell based therapeutics are emerging as powerful regimens. To better understand the migration and proliferation mechanisms of implanted cells, a means to track cells in living subjects is essential, and to achieve that, a number of cell labeling techniques have been developed. Nanoparticles, with their superior physical properties, have become the materials of choice in many investigations along this line. Owing to inherent magnetic, optical or acoustic attributes, these nanoparticles can be detected by corresponding imaging modalities in living subjects at a high spatial and temporal resolution. These features allow implanted cells to be separated from host cells; and have advantages over traditional histological methods, as they permit non-invasive, real-time tracking in vivo. This review attempts to give a summary of progress in using nanotechnology to monitor cell trafficking. We will focus on direct cell labeling techniques, in which cells ingest nanoparticles that bear traceable signals, such as iron oxide or quantum dots. Ferritin and MagA reporter genes that can package endogenous iron or iron supplement into iron oxide nanoparticles will also be discussed.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
In vivo MRI detection of human ferritin heavy chain (hFhc) transgene induced MRI contrast in mES cellgrafts. (A, C) Representative T2 weighted fast spin echo images showing the same pair of tumors grown from mES grafts (left, wild type(Wt)); right, hFhc transgenic), at days 14 and 21 post inoculation. (B,D) Corresponding color coded T2 maps from multi echo measurements showed significant reduction of T2 relaxation time in the tumor overexpressing hFhc transgene at both time points. (Reprinted with permission from ref. 26).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Cartoon illustrating the human serum albumin coated iron oxide nanoparticle formation and cell labeling. (B) Longitudinal MRI studies (day 7) and (C) Prussian blue staining on a rat focal cerebral ischemia model injected with iron-laden macrophages. (Reprinted with permission from ref. 76).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) Schematic showing overview after dendritic cells (DCs) were cocultured and labeled with NIR-emitting QDs. QD-labeled DCs 1 × 106 cells/50 μl were injected into the hind-leg footpad of the mouse, and the migrations of injected DCs into lymph nodse were monitored by in vivo NIR imaging system. After 2 days, the mouse was anesthetized, depilated and imaged. (B-C) Strong NIR fluorescence signals (pseudocolor) are clearly observed in the right foot (injection site; green arrow), popliteal lymph node (red arrow) and inguinal lymph node (yellow arrow) of the mouse injected with QD-labeled DCs. (D) Enlarged image of lymph node part in C. (Reprinted with permission from ref. 118).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A. In vivo optical imaging (Maestro In Vivo Multispectral Imaging System; Woburn, MA) of mouse hind limb after inoculation with unlabeled tumor cells or gadolinium-rhodamine nanoparticle-labeled tumor cells. A female C3H mouse bearing unlabeled tumor (left flank) and Gd-Rd-NP-labeled tumor (right flank) imaged 7 days post subcutaneous inoculation. Note that the fluorescent signal is localized only to the labeled tumor site and that no signal was received from the unlabeled (control) tumor. B. Axial MRI section of mouse 7 days after inoculation with unlabeled tumor cells and gadolinium-rhodamine nanoparticle-labeled tumor cells. Marked contrast enhancement can be visualized in the Gd-Rd-NP-labeled tumor vs. unlabeled (control) tumor. (Reprinted with permission from ref. 143).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A. Colocalization of green fluorescent SPIO@SiO2(FITC) with late endosomes/lysosomes. hMSCs were treated with 30 μg/mL SPIO@SiO2(FITC) for 30 min and then incubated with LyosTracker Red for another 30 min. The cellular distribution of SPIO@SiO2(FITC) and LysoTracker Red-labeled organelles (late endosomes/lysosomes) were analyzed by a Zeiss Axiovert 100M confocal unit. B. T2 weighted MRI study of SPIO@SiO2(FITC)-labeled hMSCs was performed by injecting 1.2 × 104 or 1.2 × 105 cells mixed with Matrigel into subcutaneous tissue of the flanks (unlabeled cells at left flank and labeled cells at right flank) of a nude mouse. (Reprinted with permission from ref. 145).
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