Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles-Complexed Cationic Amylose for In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tracking of Transplanted Stem Cells in Stroke

Abstract

Cell-based therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising strategy for acute ischemic stroke. In vivo tracking of therapeutic stem cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is imperative for better understanding cellular survival and migrational dynamics over time. In this study, we develop a novel biocompatible nanocomplex (ASP-SPIONs) based on cationic amylose, by introducing spermine and the image label, ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), to label MSCs. The capacity, efficiency, and cytotoxicity of the nanocomplex in transferring SPIONs into green fluorescence protein-modified MSCs were tested; and the performance of in vivo MRI tracking of the transplanted cells in acute ischemic stroke was determined. The results demonstrated that the new class of SPIONs-complexed nanoparticles based on biodegradable amylose can serve as a highly effective and safe carrier to transfer magnetic label into stem cells. A reliable tracking of transplanted stem cells in stroke was achieved by MRI up to 6 weeks, with the desirable therapeutic benefit of stem cells on stroke retained. With the advantages of a relatively low SPIONs concentration and a short labeling period, the biocompatible complex of cationic amylose with SPIONs is highly translatable for clinical application. It holds great promise in efficient, rapid, and safe labeling of stem cells for subsequent cellular MRI tracking in regenerative medicine.

MRI-Tracking of Dental Pulp Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Using Dextran-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

“…SPIONs have attracted extensive interest due to their large surface area, high reactivity, small size, and high drug-loading capacity [20]. SPIONs have also been widely used as a imaging contrast agent in MRI for therapeutic and diagnostic applications [21]. Moreover, dextran coating of SPIONs enhances their efficiency for MRI tracking, as dextran-coated nanoparticles were shown to be taken up by cells through endocytosis [22].…”

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

“…Stem cells are promising candidates for the treatment of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and epilepsy, among others [ 383 , 503 , 504 , 505 ]. As with all cell-based therapies, the application of IONP-labeled cells, are helpful to monitor safety, delivery, fate and therapeutic potential of the applied cells for regeneration of injured brain tissue [ 506 , 507 , 508 , 509 , 510 , 511 , 512 , 513 , 514 , 515 , 516 , 517 , 518 , 519 , 520 , 521 ].…”

Biomaterials to Neuroprotect the Stroke Brain: A Large Opportunity for Narrow Time Windows

“…However, in non-stroke clinical trials different NPs based on micelles, liposomes and various polymer composites have been already used to deliver therapeutic compounds [118]. Apart from drug/factor delivery, NPs have also been used as contrast agents for brain imaging and diagnosis in rodents, and less frequently in human and non-human primates [119][120][121][122][123][124]. Some studies have focused on developing multifunctional NPs (for example, for drug delivery and imaging) [125,126].…”