Cell tracking via MRI has drawn much attention recently for its sensitive, deep, and real-time properties and high spatial resolution. In a previous chapter, the labeling and tracking of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-nanoparticle-loaded stem cells have been well summarized (Sykova et al., Methods Mol Biol 750:79-90, 2011). Thus, in this chapter, we will mainly focus on the tracking of SPIO-nanoparticle-labeled mouse dendritic cells by MRI and provide a detailed protocol for cell labeling and in vivo tracking by a clinical 3.0T MRI scanner. Of note, this protocol is also suitable to be applied on other types of cells.
Cell tracking via MRI has drawn much attention recently for its sensitive, deep, and real-time properties and high spatial resolution. In a previous chapter, the labeling and tracking of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-nanoparticle-loaded stem cells have been well summarized (Sykova et al., Methods Mol Biol 750:79-90, 2011). Thus, in this chapter, we will mainly focus on the tracking of SPIO-nanoparticle-labeled mouse dendritic cells by MRI and provide a detailed protocol for cell labeling and in vivo tracking by a clinical 3.0T MRI scanner. Of note, this protocol is also suitable to be applied on other types of cells.