ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of labeling Schwann cells with different concentrations of SPIO, and to investigate the feasibility of in vitro MR imaging. Methods The C57BL/6 mices'Schwann cells were isolated, purified, and then 0.5 × 106, 1.0 × 106, 5.0 × 106 cells were labeled with 25.0 μg/ml, 50.0 μg/ml SPIO. Prussian blue stain and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were performed for showing intracellular iron. The signal intensity of cells were evaluated by 3.0 MRI with different sequences in vitro. Results Different cell population (0.5 × 106, 1.0 × 106,5.0 × 106) were cultured with different concentration SPIO about 24 hours. Dyeing degree of labeling cells stained by Prussion blue gradually deepened from 25.0 μg/ml to 50.0 μg/ml. Transmission electron microscope indicated that iron particles accumulated inendosomes/lysosomes. The MR signal intensity of labeling cells were inversely correlated with the concentration of SPIO groups in T2WI and GRE/30° imaging in vitro. Conclusion Schwann cells could be labeled effectively with SPIO, and MRI could be used to monitor these labeled cells in vitro.