In-Vivo Detection of Cell Cycle Arrest using Manganese-Enhanced MRI (MEMRI)

Shigeyoshi Saito¹, Sumitaka Hasegawa¹, Takako Furukawa¹, Tsuneo Saga¹, Ichio Aoki¹

Recent studies on the utility of manganese have shown that manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) can detect cellular alterations in tumor models. We investigated the relationship between x-ray irradiation and Mn uptake in tumor cells and tested whether MEMRI can detect radiation-induced cell disturbances at an early stage. MEMRI is able to detect cell cycle arrest of tumor cells following radiation exposure. Reductions in Mn accumulation in the irradiated cells were observed both in vitro and in vivo. MEMRI may be suitable for evaluation of not only cell viability but also the acute stage of cell cycle alteration after radiotherapy.