Kannie W. Y.
Chan1,2, G. Liu1,3, D.R. Arifin1,2, J. W.M.
Bulte1,2, M.T. McMahon1,3
1Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; 2Cellular
Imaging Section, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; 3F.M. Kirby
Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Cell
transplantation is widely used for treatment of various diseases, with cell
viability being key for successful therapy. Semi-permeable microcapsules have
been used to immunoprotect and visualize cell location, but not cell
function. We demonstrate that LipoCEST-filled microcapsules can be used as a
novel way to monitor cell viability. CEST contrast is dependent on pH, which
in itself is closely related to cell activity and functionality. Our pH-responsive
microcapsules showed a significant decrease in CEST signal when cell
viability decreased at physiologically relevant pHs, thus representing a
useful non-invasive tool to monitor successful cell therapy.