Labeling of human lymphocytes with 99mTc by means of stannous pyrophosphate. Scintigraphic applications.

An original 99mTc-labeling method applied to human lymphocytes is described. This technique is based on the use of stannous pyrophosphate to reduce sodium pertechnetate. The proposed procedure has two main advantages: firstly, the labeling process takes place in a neutral and buffered medium which prevents any cellular aggregation; secondly, the labeling yield obtained is compatible with scintigraphic studies in man. The influence of each parameter on the labeling quality had been studied as well as the binding stability of the technetium fixed on cells. A systematic study of lymphocyte surface markers, before and after labeling, has led to the suggestion that the labeling process seems to affect cellular membranes, probably because of the technetium binding. Finally, scintigraphic results are presented, the study being performed on eight healthy volunteers. These results are compared with those published by other authors who used either a different radioisotope or a different labeling method.