Mri of spio-labeled mesenchymal stem cells in an animal model of acute renal failure at a clinical 3T system

Excellent detection of MSC
SPIO
was achieved in-vitro and in-vivo. In-vitro MRI revealed an linear reduction of SNR and T2* depending on concentrations of MSC
SPIO
(R2*∼n
MSC(SPIO)
, (R
²
=0.98)). In-vivo MSCSPIO administration resulted in a SNR decrease (35±15%) and R2* increase (101±18%) in kidneys caused by MSC
SPIO
accumulation in contrast to SPIO or medium control animals (p<0.01). Liver, spleen and bone marrow of MSCSPIO-treated animals showed a delayed SNR decline and R2* increase (maximum: day3–7, p<0.05). Injection of SPIO resulted only in a SNR and T2* reduction in liver, spleen and bone marrow (maximum: day0). The increase of kidney volume was reduced in MSC-treated animals (p<0.05).