Monitoring Transplanted Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Penile Cavernosal Tissues of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats Using Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 대한남성과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A molecular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanocrystals was developed for monitoring stem cells noninvasively. This study was performed to investigate whether the presence of transplanted human mesenchymal stem cells in the penile cavernosum of a diabetic rat model could be evaluated noninvasively using molecular MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SPIO nanocrystals (Feridex; AMI, Cambridge, USA) were transferred to human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using GenePORTER. The SPIO-transferred hMSCs were examined with Prussian blue staining. SPIO-labeled hMSCs were transplanted to the penile cavernosum of a diabetic rat model and MR images were examined in vivo using 1.5 T MR. RESULTS: SPIO was transferred to hMSCs successfully. MR signal intensity at the areas of the SPIO-transferred hMSCs decreased in the penile cavernosum of the diabetic rat model. SPIO particles were confirmed in the transplanted penile cavernosum with Prussian blue staining. CONCLUSIONS: The SPIO-labelled hMSCs in the penile cavernosum of a diabetic rat model can be monitored noninvasively using molecular MR imaging.