Citrate-coated magnetite nanoparticles are highly efficient agents for magnetic labeling of human mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Motivation: Systemic transplantation of human mesenchymal stem- and progenitor cells (MSC) is a promising approach in regenerative medicine. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of transplanted MSC labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) is an excellent tool for in vivo cell tracking because it offers a high spatio-temporal, sensitive and non-invasive cell detection. However, cell labeling with commercial SPION is still inefficient and requires the use of potentially toxic transfection agents. New results are reported here about magnetite@citrate ferrofluids that allow highly efficient magnetic MSC labeling without transfection agents.