Long-Term Tri-Modal In Vivo Tracking of Engrafted Cartilage-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells Based on Upconversion Nanoparticles.

Chu-Hsin Chen,Kai Liu,Na Tang,Kang Sun,Ke Tao,Ke Xue,Peng Xu,Hui-Zhong Zhang,Ya-Hong Chen

doi:10.3390/biom11070958

Chu-Hsin Chen, Kai Liu + Show 7 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11070958

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Abstract

Cartilage-derived stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) are a potential choice for seed cells in osteal and chondral regeneration, and the outcomes of their survival and position distribution in vivo form the basis for the investigation of their mechanism. However, the current use of in vivo stem cell tracing techniques in laboratories is relatively limited, owing to their high operating costs and cytotoxicity. Herein, we performed tri-modal in vivo imaging of CSPCs during subcutaneous chondrogenesis using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for 28 days. Distinctive signals at accurate positions were acquired without signal noise from X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and upconversion luminescence. The measured intensities were all significantly proportional to the cell numbers, thereby enabling real-time in vivo quantification of the implanted cells. However, limitations of the detectable range of cell numbers were also observed, owing to the imaging shortcomings of UCNPs, which requires further improvement of the nanoparticles. Our study explores the application value of upconversion nanomaterials in the tri-modal monitoring of implanted stem cells and provides new perspectives for future clinical translation.

Highlights

Stem cells have been extensively studied as potential therapeutics for multiple osteo and chondral diseases, including metabolic disorders such as degenerative osteoarthrosis and even vitamin D-deficiency rickets [1,2]
We have to admit that the upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)-based stem cell tracking platform we studied is still far from satisfactory
In the classic hypodermic ectopic chondrogenesis model of nude mice, the high sensitivity of upconversion luminescence (UCL) and the accurate spatial resolution of computed tomography (CT) imaging were fully developed, and the location and relative quantification of UCNP-labeled chondrocytes in a basic ectopic chondrogenesis period (28 days) were realized

Summary

Introduction

Stem cells have been extensively studied as potential therapeutics for multiple osteo and chondral diseases, including metabolic disorders such as degenerative osteoarthrosis and even vitamin D-deficiency rickets [1,2]. Among stem cells, cartilagederived stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) tend to be a more ideal choice for seeding cells than the conventionally used bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs). BMSCs typically result in vascularization and ossification, which are adverse for chondrogenesis. In addition to examining the therapeutic effects of the specimens harvested from animals, real-time tracking of the implanted cells is necessary to disclose the contribution of the implanted cells toward tissue regeneration and construction. The survival, viability, position, and quantification of the engrafted cells are all key evidence of the correlation between the observed effects and the transplanted cells [5,6]

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