In vivo bioluminescent imaging of Schwann cells in a poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) nerve guide.
Nerve guides seeded with Schwann cells (SCs) promote axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve lesions. We examined the applicability of bioluminescent imaging (BLI) for monitoring the fate of SCs in nerve guides after implantation. Rat SCs were transfected with the firefly luciferase (Fluc) gene and subsequently seeded in nerve guides, which were implanted subcutaneously in rats. In vivo bioluminescence of transfected SCs (Fluc-SCs) was assessed with a BLI system. Scans were validated ex vivo using immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. We found that BLI enables longitudinal in vivo monitoring of Fluc-SCs, given that proper access of luciferin to the cells is assured.
Ma
Ming-San
MS
Department of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
Van Dam
Gooitzen
G
Meek
Marcel
M
Boddeke
Erik
E
Copray
Sjef
S
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000379:methods*; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly / Q000032:analysis*; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D011091:Polyesters / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D011091:Polyesters; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly