Abstract #0900

Positive-contrast cellular MRI of embryonic stem cells for tissue regeneration using a highly efficient T1 MRI contrast agent

Sadi Loai¹, Inga E. Haedicke^2,3, Zahra Mirzaei¹, Craig Simmons^1,4, Xiao-an Zhang^2,3, and Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng^1,5

¹Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ²Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada, ³Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ⁴Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, ⁵The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Embryonic stem (ES) cells offer promise for regenerating a variety of tissue types. One difficult aspect to advancing this technology is determining the fate of these cells once they are introduced inside the body. MRI can play an important role for non-invasive monitoring in patients, but conventional methods based on iron oxides have limited specificity. In this study, a novel, highly efficient T1 agent is investigated for labelling mouse ES cells. A drastic decrease in T1 was obtained and sustained for at least 24 hours. Viability and proliferation were unaffected, and labelled ES cells were differentiated into beating cardiomyocytes.

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