# Instant Stem Cell Labeling with a new Microfluidic Device

> **NIH NIH R21** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $206,580

## Abstract

Instant Stem Cell Labeling with a new Microfluidic Device
Every year, osteoarthritis accounts for 44 million outpatient visits and 700,000 knee-replacement procedures.
Early repair of cartilage defects can prevent further deterioration of the joint and the need for an artificial joint
prosthesis. Adipose fat derived stem cells (ADSC) are increasingly being used for cartilage-repair. ADSC can
be easily harvested from the patient's own fat depots and implanted into cartilage defects. However, cartilage
repair outcomes of ADSC grafts vary greatly between different patients. We developed an imaging test for in
vivo tracking of ADSC in order to diagnose successful or unsuccessful engraftment: We label ADSC with iron
oxide nanoparticles, which can be detected with MRI. We have shown that an early loss of the iron signal in
the cartilage defect correlates with loss of the therapeutic cells and incomplete cartilage repair outcomes. This
new imaging test is in principle directly translatable to the clinic. However, we faced an organizational
challenge: In a clinical setting, ADSC harvest and transplantation occur in one single surgery. This makes it
impossible to label ADSC with nanoparticles through classical cell culture techniques in the laboratory. To
solve this problem, we developed a novel microfluidic device, which provides highly efficient labeling of ADSC
with nanoparticles through cell volume exchange for convective transfer (CEVT). The goal of our project is to
test the ability of this new microfluidic device to label ADSC with ferumoxytol nanoparticles within 15
minutes or less such that the labeled cells can be detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
magnetic particle imaging (MPI). We are uniquely positioned to pursue this goal because our team members
combine decades of experience in microfluidic device fabrication, stem cell labeling with nanoparticles, in vivo
stem cell tracking and clinical applications of ADSC for arthritis treatment. In a two-step approach, we will first
optimize the cellular nanoparticle uptake and time-efficiency of the labeling process. Next, we will evaluate if
ADSC, labeled with ferumoxytol in the new microfluidic device, will provide significant MRI and MPI signal. If
successful, these studies will directly lead to clinical translation, accelerate the detection of ADSC
grafts which are at risk for unsuccessful cartilage repair outcomes, and ultimately, improve
morphological and functional reconstitution of arthritic joints.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9986657
- **Project number:** 5R21AR075863-02
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Heike Elizabeth Daldrup-Link
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $206,580
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9986657

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9986657, Instant Stem Cell Labeling with a new Microfluidic Device (5R21AR075863-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9986657. Licensed CC0.

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