In vivo magnetic resonance imaging tracking of C6 glioma cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

• Main Authors: Javier Bustamante Mamani, Jackeline Moraes Malheiros, Ellison Fernando Cardoso, Alberto Tannús, Paulo Henrique Silveira, Lionel Fernel Gamarra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein 2012-06-01
• Series: Einstein (São Paulo)
• Subjects: Glioma; Nanoparticles; Magnetic resonance imaging; Animal models
• Online Access: http://apps.einstein.br/revista/arquivos/PDF/2418-164-170.pdf

Objective: The aim of the current study was to monitor the migrationof superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-labeled C6cells, which were used to induce glioblastoma tumor growth in ananimal model, over time using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),with the goal of aiding in tumor prognosis and therapy. Methods: Twogroups of male Wistar rats were used for the tumor induction model.In the first group (n=3), the tumors were induced via the injectionof SPION-labeled C6 cells. In the second group (n=3), the tumorswere induced via the injection of unlabeled C6 cells. Prussian Bluestaining was performed to analyze the SPION distribution within theC6 cells in vitro. Tumor-inducing C6 cells were injected into the rightfrontal cortex, and subsequent tumor monitoring and SPION detectionwere performed using T2- and T2*-weighted MRI at a 2T fieldstrength. In addition, cancerous tissue was histologically analyzedafter performing the MRI studies. Results: The in vitro qualitativeevaluation demonstrated adequate distribution and satisfactory celllabeling of the SPIONs. At 14 or 21 days after C6 injection, a SPIONinducedT2- and T2*-weighted MRI signal reduction was observedwithin the lesion located in the left frontal lobe on parasagittaltopography. Moreover, histological staining of the tumor tissue withPrussian Blue revealed a broad distribution of SPIONs within the C6cells. Conclusion: MRI analyses exhibit potential for monitoring thetumor growth of C6 cells efficiently labeled with SPIONs.