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In vivo MRI tracking of exogenous monocytes/macrophages targeting brain tumors in a rat model of glioma.

Valable S, Barbier EL, Bernaudin M, Roussel S, Segebarth C, Petit E, Rémy C

Inserm, U836, Grenoble, F-38043, France; Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, Grenoble, F-38043, France.

This study has shown that murine monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) can be labeled simply and efficiently with large, green-fluorescent, micrometer-sized particles of iron-oxide (MPIO). Neither size nor proliferation rate of the Mo/Ma is significantly affected by this labeling. The labeled Mo/Ma have been administered intravenously to rats that had developed a glioma following stereotactic injection of C6 cells. The labeled Mo/Ma were shown to target the brain tumors, a process that could be monitored non-invasively using T(2)-weighted MRI. MRI observations were confirmed by Prussian blue staining, lectin staining and fluorescence histology. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the use of Mo/Ma may be envisaged in the clinic for vectorizing therapeutic agents towards gliomas.

Published 5 July 2007 in Neuroimage.
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