Abstract #1877

Li Calzi S, Chang K, Shaw L, Forder J, Afzal A, Padgett K, Grant M

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are responsible for neovascularization and are critical components in vascular repair. Neovascularization is altered in many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The ability to noninvasively track these cells is important. EPCs from donor animals were loaded with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MION). No alterations were observed in cell viability, apoptosis, and chemotaxis following loading with MION. Detection of single labeled cells was confirmed by serial dilution into agar followed by MRI (17.6 T). In vitreal injection of EPCs into C57/Bl6J mice following laser-induced choroidal neovascularization resulted in areas of increased density in the retina.