Hepatocyte-like cells from human mesenchymal stem cells engrafted in regenerating rat liver tracked with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging.
Cell transplantation using hepatocytes derived from stem cells has been regarded as a possible alternative treatment for various hepatic disorders. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow have shown the potential to differentiate into hepatocytes in in vitro and in vivo conditions. Noninvasive imaging techniques allowing in vivo assessment of the location of cells are of great value for experimental studies in which these cells are transplanted. We labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with green fluorescence protein (GFP) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) using a transfection agent (GenePORTER). Cellular labeling was evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of labeled suspensions, and Prussian blue staining for iron assessment. hMSCs labeled with SPIO and GFP were injected into the portal veins of immunosuppressed, hepatic-damaged rats. MR imaging findings were compared histologically. To identify the differentiation of hMSCs into hepatocytes and to trace the hepatocytes with molecular imaging, we observed the potential of SPIO and GFP double-labeled hMSCs to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in the regenerating rat liver. Serial MR imaging showed the possible detection of transplanted cells in the early period of transplantation. Our results indicate that magnetic labeling of hMSCs with SPIO may enable cellular MR imaging and tracking in experimental in vivo settings.
Choi
Dongho
D
Department of Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Jung Hoon
JH
Lim
Misun
M
Song
Kang Won
KW
Paik
Seung Sam
SS
Kim
Sook Ja
SJ
Cheong
Hee Jeong
HJ
Jeon
Jin Seok
JS
Park
Hee Sook
HS
Song
Yun Seob
YS
Khang
Hyunsoo
H
Won
Jong-Ho
JH
D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012038:Regeneration
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C000499:ferric oxide