Efficient intracytoplasmic labeling of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stromal cells with ferumoxides.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells found in several adult tissues; they have the capacity to differentiate into mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal tissues in vitro. There have been several reports that MSCs have therapeutic effects in a variety of diseases. Therefore, using a cell labeling technique, monitoring their temporal and spatial migration in vivo, would be useful in the clinical setting.