We optimized the sonoporation of a suspension culture with microbubbles for labeling and MR tracking of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). When water was used as the transmission medium between the acoustic probe and cell suspension, microbubbles gently collapsed with minimal cell damage. Under this condition, the number of labeled MSCs was 25%, which is 3.3-fold greater than the number of MSCs labeled using the conventional electroporation system, and the cell viability was maintained at approximately 80%. The MRI signal could be clearly observed for 2.0āĆā106 MSCs.
- Atsushi Mahara
- Naoki Kobayashi
- Tetsuji Yamaoka
