Indium-111 labelled lymphocytes: isotope distribution and cell division

Optimisation of the Synthesis and Cell Labelling Conditions for [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS: a Direct In Vitro Comparison in Cell Types with Distinct Therapeutic Applications

BACKGROUND

There is a need to better characterise cell-based therapies in preclinical models to help facilitate their translation to humans. Long-term high-resolution tracking of the cells in vivo is often impossible due to unreliable methods. Radiolabelling of cells has the advantage of being able to reveal cellular kinetics in vivo over time. This study aimed to optimise the synthesis of the radiotracers [89Zr]Zr-oxine (8-hydroxyquinoline) and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS (p-SCN-Bn-Deferoxamine) and to perform a direct comparison of the cell labelling efficiency using these radiotracers.

PROCEDURES

Several parameters, such as buffers, pH, labelling time and temperature, were investigated to optimise the synthesis of [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS in order to reach a radiochemical conversion (RCC) of >95 % without purification. Radio-instant thin-layer chromatography (iTLC) and radio high-performance liquid chromatography (radio-HPLC) were used to determine the RCC. Cells were labelled with [89Zr]Zr-oxine or [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS. The cellular retention of 89Zr and the labelling impact was determined by analysing the cellular functions, such as viability, proliferation, phagocytotic ability and phenotypic immunostaining.

RESULTS

The optimised synthesis of [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS resulted in straightforward protocols not requiring additional purification. [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS were synthesised with an average RCC of 98.4 % (n = 16) and 98.0 % (n = 13), respectively. Cell labelling efficiencies were 63.9 % (n = 35) and 70.2 % (n = 30), respectively. 89Zr labelling neither significantly affected the cell viability (cell viability loss was in the range of 1-8 % compared to its corresponding non-labelled cells, P value > 0.05) nor the cells' proliferation rate. The phenotype of human decidual stromal cells (hDSC) and phagocytic function of rat bone-marrow-derived macrophages (rMac) was somewhat affected by radiolabelling.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that [89Zr]Zr-oxine and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS are equally effective in cell labelling. However, [89Zr]Zr-oxine was superior to [89Zr]Zr-DFO-NCS with regard to long-term stability, cellular retention, minimal variation between cell types and cell labelling efficiency.

Radio-metal cross-linking of alginate hydrogels for non-invasive in vivo imaging

Alginate hydrogels are cross-linked polymers with high water content, tuneable chemical and material properties, and a range of biomedical applications including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cell therapy. However, their similarity to soft tissue often renders them undetectable within the body using conventional bio-medical imaging techniques. This leaves much unknown about their behaviour in vivo, posing a challenge to therapy development and validation. To address this, we report a novel, fast, and simple method of incorporating the nuclear imaging radio-metal 111In into the structure of alginate hydrogels by utilising its previously-undescribed capacity as an ionic cross-linking agent. This enabled non-invasive in vivo nuclear imaging of hydrogel delivery and retention across the whole body, over time, and across a range of model therapies including: nasal and oral drug delivery, stem cell transplantation, and cardiac tissue engineering. This information will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic hydrogel formulations, encompassing alginate, across disease categories.

In Vivo PET Tracking of 89Zr-Labeled Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells to Mouse Xenograft Breast Tumors Activated with Liposomal Alendronate

Gammadelta T (γδ-T) cells are strong candidates for adoptive immunotherapy in oncology due to their cytotoxicity, ease of expansion, and favorable safety profile. The development of γδ-T cell therapies would benefit from non-invasive cell-tracking methods and increased targeting to tumor sites. Here we report the use of [89Zr]Zr(oxinate)4 to track Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET). In vitro, we showed that 89Zr-labeled Vγ9Vδ2 T cells retained their viability, proliferative capacity, and anti-cancer cytotoxicity with minimal DNA damage for amounts of 89Zr ≤20 mBq/cell. Using a mouse xenograft model of human breast cancer, 89Zr-labeled γδ-T cells were tracked by PET imaging over 1 week. To increase tumor antigen expression, the mice were pre-treated with PEGylated liposomal alendronate. Liposomal alendronate, but not placebo liposomes or non-liposomal alendronate, significantly increased the 89Zr signal in the tumors, suggesting increased homing of γδ-T cells to the tumors. γδ-T cell trafficking to tumors occurred within 48 hr of administration. The presence of γδ-T cells in tumors, liver, and spleen was confirmed by histology. Our results demonstrate the suitability of [89Zr]Zr(oxinate)4 as a cell-labeling agent for therapeutic T cells and the potential benefits of liposomal bisphosphonate treatment before γδ-T cell administration.

Ferumoxytol Is Not Retained in Kidney Allografts in Patients Undergoing Acute Rejection

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect allograft rejection in pediatric kidney transplant patients.

PROCEDURES

The USPIO ferumoxytol has a long blood half-life and is phagocytosed by macrophages. In an IRB-approved single-center prospective clinical trial, 26 pediatric patients and adolescents (age 10-26 years) with acute allograft rejection (n = 5), non-rejecting allografts (n = 13), and normal native kidneys (n = 8) underwent multi-echo T2* fast spoiled gradient-echo (FSPGR) MRI after intravenous injection (p.i.) of 5 mg Fe/kg ferumoxytol. T2* relaxation times at 4 h p.i. (perfusion phase) and more than 20 h p.i. (macrophage phase) were compared with biopsy results. The presence of rejection was assessed using the Banff criteria, and the prevalence of macrophages on CD163 immunostains was determined based on a semi-quantitative scoring system. MRI and histology data were compared among patient groups using t tests, analysis of variance, and regression analyses with a significance threshold of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

At 4 h p.i., mean T2* values were 6.6 ± 1.5 ms for native kidneys and 3.9 ms for one allograft undergoing acute immune rejection. Surprisingly, at 20-24 h p.i., one rejecting allograft showed significantly prolonged T2* relaxation times (37.0 ms) compared to native kidneys (6.3 ± 1.7 ms) and non-rejecting allografts (7.6 ± 0.1 ms). Likewise, three additional rejecting allografts showed significantly prolonged T2* relaxation times compared to non-rejecting allografts at later post-contrast time points, 25-97 h p.i. (p = 0.008). Histological analysis revealed edema and compressed microvessels in biopsies of rejecting allografts. Allografts with and without rejection showed insignificant differences in macrophage content on histopathology (p = 0.44).

CONCLUSION

After ferumoxytol administration, renal allografts undergoing acute rejection show prolonged T2* values compared to non-rejecting allografts. Since histology revealed no significant differences in macrophage content, the increasing T2* value is likely due to the combined effect of reduced perfusion and increased edema in rejecting allografts.

Bone Marrow Cell Trafficking Analyzed by 89Zr-oxine Positron Emission Tomography in a Murine Transplantation Model

Purpose: The success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) depends on donor cell homing to the bone marrow. However, there is no reliable method of noninvasively monitoring the kinetics and distribution of transferred cells. Using zirconium-89 (89Zr)-oxine cell labeling combined with PET imaging, we sought to visualize and quantify donor cell homing in a mouse bone marrow transplantation model.Experimental Design: The effect of 89Zr-oxine labeling on bone marrow cell viability and differentiation was evaluated in vitro89Zr-labeled bone marrow cells (2 × 107 cells, 16.6 kBq/106 cells) were transferred intravenously, and serial microPET images were obtained (n = 5). The effect of a CXCR4 inhibitor, plerixafor (5 mg/kg) and G-CSF (2.5 μg) on bone marrow homing and mobilization were examined (n = 4). Engraftment of the transferred 89Zr-labeled cells was evaluated (n = 3).Results:89Zr-oxine-labeled bone marrow cells showed delayed proliferation, but differentiated normally. Transferred bone marrow cells rapidly migrated to the bone marrow, spleen, and liver (n = 5). Approximately 36% of donor cells homed to the bone marrow within 4 hours, irrespective of prior bone marrow ablation. Inhibition of CXCR4 by plerixafor alone or with G-CSF significantly blocked the bone marrow homing (P < 0.0001, vs. nontreated, at 2 hours), confirming a crucial role of the CXCR4-CXCL12 system. Mobilization of approximately 0.64% of pretransplanted bone marrow cells induced a 3.8-fold increase of circulating bone marrow cells. 89Zr-labeled donor cells engrafted as well as nonlabeled cells.Conclusions:89Zr-oxine PET imaging reveals rapid bone marrow homing of transferred bone marrow cells without impairment of their stem cell functions, and thus, could provide useful information for optimizing HSCT. Clin Cancer Res; 23(11); 2759-68. ©2016 AACR.

Increased Understanding of Stem Cell Behavior in Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disorders by Use of Noninvasive Cell Imaging

Numerous neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders are associated with cell-specific depletion in the human body. This imbalance in tissue homeostasis is in healthy individuals repaired by the presence of endogenous stem cells that can replace the lost cell type. However, in most disorders, a genetic origin or limited presence or exhaustion of stem cells impairs correct cell replacement. During the last 30 years, methods to readily isolate and expand stem cells have been developed and this resulted in a major change in the regenerative medicine field as it generates sufficient amount of cells for human transplantation applications. Furthermore, stem cells have been shown to release cytokines with beneficial effects for several diseases. At present however, clinical stem cell transplantations studies are struggling to demonstrate clinical efficacy despite promising preclinical results. Therefore, to allow stem cell therapy to achieve its full potential, more insight in their in vivo behavior has to be achieved. Different methods to noninvasively monitor these cells have been developed and are discussed. In some cases, stem cell monitoring even reached the clinical setting. We anticipate that by further exploring these imaging possibilities and unraveling their in vivo behavior further improvement in stem cell transplantations will be achieved.

Novel (89)Zr cell labeling approach for PET-based cell trafficking studies

Background

With the recent growth of interest in cell-based therapies and radiolabeled cell products, there is a need to develop more robust cell labeling and imaging methods for in vivo tracking of living cells. This study describes evaluation of a novel cell labeling approach with the positron emission tomography (PET) isotope ⁸⁹Zr (T_1/2 = 78.4 h). ⁸⁹Zr may allow PET imaging measurements for several weeks and take advantage of the high sensitivity of PET imaging.

Methods

A novel cell labeling agent, ⁸⁹Zr-desferrioxamine-NCS (⁸⁹Zr-DBN), was synthesized. Mouse-derived melanoma cells (mMCs), dendritic cells (mDCs), and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were covalently labeled with ⁸⁹Zr-DBN via the reaction between the NCS group on ⁸⁹Zr-DBN and primary amine groups present on cell surface membrane protein. The stability of the label on the cell was tested by cell efflux studies for 7 days. The effect of labeling on cellular viability was tested by proliferation, trypan blue, and cytotoxicity/apoptosis assays. The stability of label was also studied in in vivo mouse models by serial PET scans and ex vivo biodistribution following intravenous and intramyocardial injection of ⁸⁹Zr-labeled hMSCs. For comparison, imaging experiments were performed after intravenous injections of ⁸⁹Zr hydrogen phosphate (⁸⁹Zr(HPO₄)₂).

Results

The labeling agent, ⁸⁹Zr-DBN, was prepared in 55% ± 5% decay-corrected radiochemical yield measured by silica gel iTLC. The cell labeling efficiency was 30% to 50% after 30 min labeling depending on cell type. Radioactivity concentrations of labeled cells of up to 0.5 MBq/10⁶ cells were achieved without a negative effect on cellular viability. Cell efflux studies showed high stability of the radiolabel out to 7 days. Myocardially delivered ⁸⁹Zr-labeled hMSCs showed retention in the myocardium, as well as redistribution to the lung, liver, and bone. Intravenously administered ⁸⁹Zr-labeled hMSCs also distributed primarily to the lung, liver, and bone, whereas intravenous ⁸⁹Zr(HPO₄)₂ distributed to the liver and bone with no activity in the lung. Thus, the in vivo stability of the radiolabel on the hMSCs was evidenced.

Conclusions

We have developed a robust, general, and biostable ⁸⁹Zr-DBN-based cell labeling strategy with promise for wide applications of PET-based non-invasive in vivo cell trafficking.

Stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease: the demise of alchemy and rise of pharmacology

Regenerative medicine holds great promise as a way of addressing the limitations of current treatments of ischaemic disease. In preclinical models, transplantation of different types of stem cells or progenitor cells results in improved recovery from ischaemia. Furthermore, experimental studies indicate that cell therapy influences a spectrum of processes, including neovascularization and cardiomyogenesis as well as inflammation, apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. Thus, distinct strategies might be required for specific regenerative needs. Nonetheless, clinical studies have so far investigated a relatively small number of options, focusing mainly on the use of bone marrow-derived cells. Rapid clinical translation resulted in a number of small clinical trials that do not have sufficient power to address the therapeutic potential of the new approach. Moreover, full exploitation has been hindered so far by the absence of a solid theoretical framework and inadequate development plans. This article reviews the current knowledge on cell therapy and proposes a model theory for interpretation of experimental and clinical outcomes from a pharmacological perspective. Eventually, with an increased association between cell therapy and traditional pharmacotherapy, we will soon need to adopt a unified theory for understanding how the two practices additively interact for a patient's benefit.

Distribution of cell-free and cell-associated HIV surrogates in the colon after simulated receptive anal intercourse in men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES

Describing the distribution and clearance of HIV surrogates within the gastrointestinal tract to inform rectal microbicide development.

DESIGN

Radiolabeled simulated HIV-infected semen was administered, imaged, and biopsied to simulate and measure colonic HIV distribution after anal intercourse.

METHODS

Healthy male subjects with a history of receptive anal intercourse and experience with the use of anal sex toys were recruited to this study. Apheresis isolated leukocytes were collected before simulated intercourse. These autologous leukocytes, radiolabeled with 9.25 MBq (111)Indium-oxine (cell-associated HIV surrogate), and sulfur colloid particles, labeled with 37 MBq (99m)Technectium (cell-free HIV surrogate), were mixed in 3 mL autologous seminal plasma. This simulated HIV-infected semen was administered to subjects via an artificial phallus with urethra after 5 minutes of simulated intercourse. Postdosing dual isotope Single photon emission computed tomography coupled with traditional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) images were acquired at 1, 4, 8, and 24 hours. At 5 hours postdosing, colon biopsies were collected, CD4 cells were extracted, and samples analyzed for radioactivity.

RESULTS

SPECT/CT images showed similar luminal distribution for both surrogates, with migration limited to the rectosigmoid colon in all subjects. SPECT showed at least 75% overlap in distribution of both surrogates up to 4 hours after dosing. Biopsies indicate that 2.4% of CD4 cells extracted from rectosigmoid colon tissue were exogenously administered.

CONCLUSIONS

Our HIV surrogates stayed within the rectosigmoid colon for 24 hours. Exogenously dosed autologous lymphocytes and HIV-sized particles migrate to similar locations and associate with the colonic tissue in the lumen.

Feasibility of treating irradiated bone with intramedullary delivered autologous mesenchymal stem cells

Background. We aimed to explore (i) the short-term retention of intramedullary implanted mesenchymal stem cells BMSCs and (ii) their impact on the bone blood flow and metabolism in a rat model of hindlimb irradiation. Methods. Three months after 30 Gy irradiation, fourteen animals were referred into 2 groups: a sham-operated group (n = 6) and a treated group (n = 8) in which ¹¹¹In-labelled BMSCs (2 × 10⁶ cells) were injected in irradiated tibias. Bone blood flow and metabolism were assessed by serial ^99mTc-HDP scintigraphy and 1-wk cell retention by recordings of ^99mTc/¹¹¹In activities. Results. The amount of intramedullary implanted BMSCs was of 70% at 2 H, 40% at 48 H, and 38% at 168 H. Bone blood flow and bone metabolism were significantly increased during the first week after cell transplantation, but these effects were found to reduce at 2-mo followup. Conclusion. Short-term cell retention produced concomitant enhancement in irradiated bone blood flow and metabolism.

Randomized transcoronary delivery of CD34(+) cells with perfusion versus stop-flow method in patients with recent myocardial infarction: Early cardiac retention of ⁹⁹(m)Tc-labeled cells activity

BACKGROUND

For transcoronary progenitor cells' administration, injections under flow arrest (over-the-wire balloon technique, OTW) are used universally despite lack of evidence for being required for cell delivery or being effective in stimulating myocardial engraftment. Flow-mediated endothelial rolling is mandatory for subsequent cell adhesion and extravasation.

METHODS

To optimize cell directing toward the coronary endothelium under maintained flow, the authors developed a cell-delivery side-holed perfusion catheter (PC). Thirty-four patients (36-69 years, 30 men) with primary stent-assisted angioplasty-treated anterior MI (peak TnI 151 [53-356]ng/dL, mean[range]) were randomly assigned to OTW or PC autologous ⁹⁹Tc-extametazime-labeled bone marrow CD34(+) cells (4.34 [0.92-7.54] × 10⁶) administration at 6-14 days after pPCI (LVEF 37.1 [24-44]%). Myocardial perfusion (⁹⁹(m)Tc-MIBI) and labeled cells' activity were evaluated (SPECT) at, respectively, 36-48 h prior to and 60 min after delivery.

RESULTS

In contrast to OTW coronary occlusions, no intolerance or ventricular arrhythmia occurred with PC cells' administration (P < .001). One hour after delivery, 4.86 [1.7-7.6]% and 5.05 [2.2-9.9]% activity was detected in the myocardium (OTW and PC, respectively, P = .84). Labeled cell activity was clearly limited to the (viable) peri-infarct zone in 88% patients, indicating that the infarct core zone may be largely inaccessible to transcoronary-administered cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of the transcoronary delivery method, only ≈ 5% of native (i.e., non-engineered) CD34(+) cells spontaneously home to the injured myocardium, and cell retention occurs preferentially in the viable peri-infarct zone. Although the efficacy of cell delivery is not increased with the perfusion method, by avoiding provoking ischemic episodes PC offers a rational alternative to the OTW delivery.

Brain ingress of regulatory T cells in a murine model of HIV-1 encephalitis

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) transform the HIV-1 infected macrophage from a neurotoxic to a neuroprotective phenotype. This was demonstrated previously in a murine model of HIV-1 encephalitis induced by intracranial injection of HIV-1/vesicular stomatitis virus-infected bone marrow macrophages. In this report, relationships between Treg ingress of end organ tissues, notably the brain, and neuroprotection were investigated. Treg from EGFP-transgenic donor mice were expanded, labeled with indium-111, and adoptively transferred. Treg distribution was assayed by single photon emission computed tomography and immunohistochemistry. Treg readily migrated across the blood brain barrier and were retained within virus-induced neuroinflammatory sites. In non-inflamed peripheral tissues (liver and spleen) Treg were depleted. These observations demonstrate that Treg migrate to sites of inflammation where they modulate immune responses.

Dynamic imaging of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells trafficking to myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Recent results from animal studies suggest that stem cells may be able to home to sites of myocardial injury to assist in tissue regeneration. However, the histological interpretation of postmortem tissue, on which many of these studies are based, has recently been widely debated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

With the use of the high sensitivity of a combined single-photon emission CT (SPECT)/CT scanner, the in vivo trafficking of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) colabeled with a radiotracer and MR contrast agent to acute myocardial infarction was dynamically determined. Redistribution of the labeled MSCs after intravenous injection from initial localization in the lungs to nontarget organs such as the liver, kidney, and spleen was observed within 24 to 48 hours after injection. Focal and diffuse uptake of MSCs in the infarcted myocardium was already visible in SPECT/CT images in the first 24 hours after injection and persisted until 7 days after injection and was validated by tissue counts of radioactivity. In contrast, MRI was unable to demonstrate targeted cardiac localization of MSCs in part because of the lower sensitivity of MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive radionuclide imaging is well suited to dynamically track the biodistribution and trafficking of mesenchymal stem cells to both target and nontarget organs.

Indium-labelled human gut-derived T cells from healthy subjects with strong in vitro adhesion to MAdCAM-1 show no detectable homing to the gut in vivo

Integrin alpha4beta 7 is the principal gut-homing receptor, and it is assumed that expression of this specific integrin directs lymphocytes to the gut in vivo. Adoptive cellular immunotherapy against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may depend on the expression of integrin alpha4beta 7 to accomplish local delivery of intravenously injected regulatory T cells in inflamed gut mucosa. The present study aimed to investigate whether in vitro expanded human T cells from the colonic mucosa maintain integrin expression, show in vitro adhesion and retain in vivo gut-homing properties during cultivation. Whole colonic biopsies from healthy subjects were cultured in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4. The integrin expression of the cultured T cells was determined by flow cytometry and in vitro adhesion was assessed in a mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) adhesion assay. We studied the homing pattern after autologous infusion of 3 x 10(8 111)Indium ((111)In)-labelled T cells in five healthy subjects using scintigraphic imaging. The cultured CD4(+)CD45RO(+) gut-derived T cells express higher levels of integrin alpha4beta 7 than peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and show strong adhesion to MAdCAM-1 in vitro, even after (111)In-labelling. Scintigraphic imaging, however, showed no gut-homing in vivo. After prolonged transit through the lungs, the T cells migrated preferentially to the spleen, liver and bone marrow. In conclusion, it is feasible to infuse autologous T cells cultured from the gut mucosa, which may be of interest in adoptive immunotherapy. Despite high expression of the gut-homing integrin alpha4beta 7 and adhesion to MAdCAM-1 in vitro, evaluation by (111)In-scintigraphy demonstrated no gut-homing in healthy individuals.

Imaging of intestinal lymphocyte homing by means of pinhole SPECT in a TNBS colitis mouse model

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The increasing knowledge of the molecular basis of leukocyte trafficking results in the development of novel anti-inflammatory strategies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For optimal evaluation of therapy efficacy, information about inflammatory activity in bowel segments or lymphocyte recirculation and kinetics in the follow-up of experimental treatment for IBD is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate a non-invasive scintigraphic technique, able to assess lymphocyte trafficking in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced mouse colitis model of IBD.

METHODS

TNBS sensitized and non-sensitized murine total splenocytes were labeled in vitro with 111In-oxine and injected into either control or TNBS colitis BALB/c mice. Biodistribution and specific radioactive uptake, representing transferred cells, were determined by serial dedicated animal planar scintigraphy and pinhole SPECT of the abdomen 4, 24 and 48h post injection of labeled cells. In addition, the severity of inflammation was determined by histological scoring.

RESULTS

Migration of 111In labeled splenocytes to the colon increased in time and was maximal at 48h after administration. The highest specific radioactive uptake ratio in the colon after 48h was observed in mice with TNBS colitis that received TNBS sensitized lymphocytes. Histological scoring confirmed the presence of colitis in the TNBS treated groups.

CONCLUSION

Homing of TNBS-sensitized lymphocytes can be assessed in vivo by means of dedicated animal pinhole SPECT. Generally, this technique enables serial measurement of specific cell trafficking with potential of in vivo evaluation of novel anti-inflammatory strategies in inflammatory bowel disease.

Ex vivo cell labeling with 64Cu-pyruvaldehyde-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) for imaging cell trafficking in mice with positron-emission tomography

We have used copper-64-pyruvaldehyde-bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (64Cu-PTSM) to radiolabel cells ex vivo for in vivo positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging studies of cell trafficking in mice and for eventual application in patients. 2-[18F]-Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) cell labeling also was evaluated for comparison. 64Cu-PTSM uptake by C6 rat glioma (C6) cells increased for 180 min and then stabilized. The labeling efficiency was directly proportional to 64Cu-PTSM concentration and influenced negatively by serum. Label uptake per cell was greater with 64Cu-PTSM than with FDG. However, both 64Cu-PTSM- and FDG-labeled cells showed efflux of cell activity into supernatant. The 64Cu-PTSM labeling procedure did not interfere significantly with C6 cell viability and proliferation rate. MicroPET images of living mice indicate that tail-vein-injected labeled C6 cells traffic to the lungs and liver. In addition, transient splenic accumulation of radioactivity was clearly detectable in a mouse scanned at 3.33 h postinfusion of 64Cu-PTSM-labeled lymphocytes. In contrast, the liver was the principal organ of tracer localization after tail-vein administration of 64Cu-PTSM alone. These results indicate that in vivo imaging of cell trafficking is possible with 64Cu-PTSM-labeled cells. Given the longer t(1/2) of 64Cu (12.7 h) relative to 18F (110 min), longer cell-tracking periods (up to 24-36 h) should be possible now with PET.