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

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.