Aim: Transplantation of primary human hepatocytes is a promising approach for treatment
of certain liver diseases. For a better understanding of the processes during and
following transplantation, visualisation of the transplanted cells is desirable. Aim
was the preparation of iron oxide labelled primary human hepatocytes for cell transplantation
and the evaluation of this treatment on viability and metabolic activity of the cells.
Methods: Primary human hepatocytes were isolated from liver specimen obtained from patients
undergoing partial hepatectomy. Cells were incubated with fluorescence-labelled, micron-sized
iron oxide particles (MPIO) at a concentration of 30×106 particles per million cells
for 4 hours and re-suspended enzymatically. Incorporation of particles was assessed
by light-, fluorescence- and electron microscopy and the cells were visualised using
3.0 Tesla MR scanner. Cells were re-cultivated and particle retention, viability and
metabolic activity (AST, LDH, Urea, Albumin) were determined over a period of five
days, thereafter. Results: The mean uptake was 18 particles per cell with 97% labelling efficiency. The particles
were entirely incorporated into the cells and no evidence for particle release could
be observed. Labelled cells were clearly detectable by T2*-weighted MR measurement.
Labelling had no adverse effect on the viability or metabolic activity of primary
human hepatocytes. Resuspended cells were cultivated successfully following the labelling
procedure. Conclusion: This study presents the first protocol for preparation of iron oxide labelled primary
human hepatocytes suitable for cell transplantation. Tracking and detection of primary
human hepatocytes using MRI is an important step to improve the clinical application
and describes a valuable tool for its quality control.
