Abstract #0562

Real-Time MR Imaging of Stem Cell Delivery to the Central Nervous System of Small and Large Animal Models Using EPI

Miroslaw Janowski¹,², Joanna Wojtkiewicz³, Adam Nowakowski², Aleksandra Habich³, Piotr Holak⁴, Hubert Matyjasik⁴, Dawn Ruben⁵, Jiadi Xu⁶, Sunil Patil⁷, Zbigniew Adamiak⁴, Monica S. Pearl¹, Philippe Gailloud¹, Barbara Lukomska², Wojciech Maksymowicz³, Jeff W.M. Bulte¹,⁸, Piotr Walczak¹,⁸

¹Rusell H. Morgan Dept. of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; ²NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Warsaw, Mazowsze, Poland; ³Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Warmia and Mazury, Poland; ⁴Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Warmia and Mazury, Poland; ⁵Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; ⁶F. M. Kirby Research Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States; ⁷Center for Applied Medical Imaging, Siemens Corporate Research, Baltimore, MD, United States; ⁸Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States

There is a tremendous progress in manufacturing and in vitro characterization of stem cells, however the process of stem cell delivery remains a serious challenge. We report on a novel intraarterial stem cell delivery technique with real-time MR imaging of labeled cells using an EPI sequence. This ultrafast imaging technique provides information in real time on the distribution of cells during the procedure of cell infusion, enabling immediate intervention when cells engraft within an undesired location, or engraft excessively, giving rise to microembolisms. Our dynamic imaging technique should aid in enhancing the safety and efficacy of intraarterial cell delivery.