Labeling and imaging mesenchymal stem cells with quantum dots.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with the potential to differentiate into bone, -cartilage, adipose, and muscle cells. Adult derived MSCs are being actively investigated because of their potential to be utilized for therapeutic cell-based transplantation. Methods to track MSCs in vivo are -limited, preventing long-term functional studies of transplanted cells. Quantum Dots (QDs) offer an alternative to organic dyes and fluorescent proteins to label and track cells in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticles are resistant to chemical and metabolic degradation, demonstrating long-term photostability. Here, we describe the technique to label MSCs with QDs and demonstrate intracellular QD distribution in the labeled MSCs with laser scanning confocal fluorescent microscopy.
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, East Carolina Heart Institute, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA.
Maria C
MC
Collins
Philip R
PR
Gunst
Wayne E
WE
Cascio
Alan P
AP
Kypson
Barbara J
BJ
Muller-Borer
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D045663:Quantum Dots; D013194:Staining and Labeling