Magnetoliposomes open up new horizons as MRI contrast agents

Introduction High resolution MRI has a low sensitivity for the visualization of low cell numbers in vivo. This is circumvent by the internalization of high concentrations of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles resulting in potential cytotoxic effects or affecting cell biology like differentiation, formation of ROS etc. [1]. In addition, the ability to monitor iron oxide labelled cells in vivo is often hampered by a limited stability of the particle coating [2]. In the present work, we have investigated magnetoliposomes (ML) for stable, non-toxic, longitudinal cell labelling and monitoring.