Molecular imaging: a useful tool for translational research of stem cells

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy is applied to various diseases. The successful development of stem cell therapy demands tracking cellular fate (i.e., distribution, localization, survival, proliferation, and differentiation) after transplantation. Molecular imaging, which enables us to noninvasively and dynamically investigate biological processes in living subjects, plays an important role in cellular tracking. In our recent study, Luc2-mKate2 dual-fusion reporter gene was stably transducted into MSCs using lentiviral vectors. Through in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI), the biological behaviour of transplanted MSCs (including distribution, localization, survival, and proliferation) was dynamically monitored in mice with acute liver injury and the optimal MSCs delivery dose and route for liver disease were determined. Our study demonstrates that molecular imaging techniques are useful tools for translational research of stem cells.