Characterization of biophysical and metabolic properties of cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and transfection agent for cellular MR imaging.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of using the ferumoxides-poly-l-lysine (PLL) complex for magnetic cell labeling on the long-term viability, function, metabolism, and iron utilization of mammalian cells.

Materials And Methods: PLL was incubated with ferumoxides for 60 minutes, incompletely coating the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) through electrostatic interactions. Cells were coincubated overnight with the ferumoxides-PLL complex, and iron uptake, cell viability, apoptosis indexes, and reactive oxygen species formation were evaluated.

Intracytoplasmic tagging of cells with ferumoxides and transfection agent for cellular magnetic resonance imaging after cell transplantation: methods and techniques.

Background: Superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) are being used to label cells for in vivo monitoring by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study is to present protocols using SPIO and a polycationic transfection agent for magnetic labeling of cells as a basis for cellular MRI.

Methods: Various concentrations of ferumoxides (FE)-poly-l-lysine (PLL) complexes were used to magnetically label cells.