Kevin S.
Tang1, Erik M. Shapiro, 1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; 2Department of
Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,
United States
Macrophages
are key players in the innate immune response and important markers of local
inflammation. Here, we evaluated the effects of MPIO labeling on macrophage
functions: cytokine secretion, maintained phagocytosis, and cell migration.
Labeling with MPIOs did not, on its own, stimulate the cells to produce TNF-
and IL-12, two important inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, MPIO labeling
did not inhibit macrophages to secrete these cytokines upon activation with
LPS. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrates the ability to continue
phagocytosis after labeling. Lastly, transwell migration assays showed
migration from both unlabeled and labeled macrophages, suggesting no effect
on migratory ability by MPIOs.