Tracking Stem Cell Implants in Cartilage Defects of Minipigs by Using Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI.

Background Cartilage repair outcomes of matrix-associated stem cell implants (MASIs) in patients have been highly variable. Conventional MRI cannot help distinguish between grafts that will and grafts that will not repair the underlying cartilage defect until many months after the repair. Purpose To determine if ferumoxytol nanoparticle labeling could be used to depict successful or failed MASIs compared with conventional MRI in a large-animal model.

Ferumoxytol-based Dual-modality Imaging Probe for Detection of Stem Cell Transplant Rejection.

Stem cell transplants are an effective approach to repair large bone defects. However, comprehensive techniques to monitor the fate of transplanted stem cells are lacking. Such strategies would enable corrective interventions at an early stage and greatly benefit the development of more successful tissue regeneration approaches.