Abstract
Reliable cell tracking is essential to understand the fate of stem cells following implantation, and thus promote the clinical application of stem cell therapy. Dual or multiple modal imaging modalities mediated by different types of multifunctional contrast agent are generally needed for efficient cell tracking. Here, we created a new contrast agent—PLGA/iron oxide microparticles (PLGA/IO MPs) and characterized the morphology, structure and function of enhancing both photoacoustic (PA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both PA and MRI signal increased with increased Fe concentration of PLGA/IO MPs. Fluorescent staining, Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM) certified that PLGA/IO MPs were successfully encapsulated in the labeled TSCs. The established PLGA/IO MPs demonstrated superior ability of dual-modal PA/MRI tracking of TSCs without cytotoxicity at relatively lower Fe concentrations (50, 100 and 200 μg/mL). The optimal Fe concentration of PLGA/IO MPs was determined to be 100 μg/mL, thus laying a foundation for the further study of dual-modal PA/MRI tracking of TSCs in vivo and promoting the repair of injured tendon.
Highlights
Stem cells are characterized by the multi-differential potentialities and the capacity of selfrenewal, which has been applied in disease therapy, especially in regenerative medicine[1]
To identify that the Tendon stem cells (TSCs) were stem cells, we examined expression of TSC surface markers on the P3 cells using immunocytochemical staining
iron oxide (IO) NPs demonstrated great potential as a multifunctional contrast agent used for multiplemodal imaging and the theranostics system
Summary
Stem cells are characterized by the multi-differential potentialities and the capacity of selfrenewal, which has been applied in disease therapy, especially in regenerative medicine[1]. Dual-modal photoacoustic/MR tracking of tendon stem cells with PLGA/iron oxide microparticles in vitro. There are various kinds of imaging modalities applied in cell tracking including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Optical Imaging, Radioactive Imaging (SPECT and PET), Ultrasound (US) and Photoacoustic Imaging (PA)[3]. Optical Imaging has high sensitivity and high resolution, but the clinical applicability is limited due to shallow penetration depth and phototoxicity[4]. While MRI has the advantages of providing anatomical information together with a good spatial and temporal resolution that made it a widely used imaging modality for cell tracking, it has lower sensitivity when compared to photoacoustic (PA) or fluorescence methods[6]. Application of PA in cell tracking is still in its’ early days as compared to MRI beyond a proof of principle
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