Figure 4.

The in vivo NIR fluorescent signal and MR detections. No fluorescent signals were observed in the heart areas of control and IV groups at two time points, but the signals in IM groups lasted over 1 week. MR imaging showed that SPIO-labeled cells were visualized in the infarcted myocardium as hypointense areas by serial MRI studies from day 1 to day 7 in the IM group, but no signals were found in the IV group. A) One day after cell delivery. B) Seven days after cell delivery.

Abbreviations: NIR, near-infrared; MR, magnetic resonance; SPIO, superparamagnetic iron oxide; C, control group; IV, intravenous group; IM, intramyocardial group.