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Abstract #4095

Quantitative in vivo 19F MRI of Transplanted Pancreatic Islets Using Clinically Applicable, Non-Emulsion Nanoparticles

Mangala Srinivas1, Karolina Andralojc2, Andor Veltien3, Maarten Brom2, Leike Joosten2, Arend Heerschap3, Jolanda de Vries1, Carl Figdor1, Otto Boerman2, Mar

1Tumor Immunology, RUNMC, Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands; 2Nuclear Medicine, RUNMC, Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands; 3Radiology, RUNMC, Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands


Pancreatic islet transplant is a promising treatment for type I diabetes. However, islet survival and function is poor post-transplant. Here, we describe a non-emulsion based multimodal agent that is able to penetrate the membrane capsule around islets, and allows for quantitative in vivo 19F MRI, and fluorescence imaging. Labeling had minimal effects on viability and insulin secretion. We present preliminary imaging data in mice that received transplanted, labeled islets. Furthermore, islets remain detectable for at least two weeks post-transplant. Histology confirmed that the label is confined to the transplanted islets. The technique is potentially applicable to longterm, quantitative islet tracking.