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Abstract #1868

Antibody mediated cell labeling of peripheral T cells with micron sized iron oxide particles (MPIOs) allows single cell detection by MRI

Dunbar C, Medford-Davis L, Shapiro E, Koretsky A
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Labeling cells with iron oxide is a useful tool for MRI based molecular and cellular imaging. Here we demonstrate that peripheral T cells can be labeled with streptavidin coated micron sized iron oxide particles, MPIOs, achieving iron concentrations as high as 50 pg iron per cell. Labeling is facilitated by use of a biotinylated CD5 antibody, which is specific for peripheral T cells. Such labeling allows the detection of single lymphocytes by MRI using conditions well suited for in vivo animal work.