title: Peptide-Coated Semiconductor Polymer Dots for Stem Cells Labeling and Tracking.
abstract: Stem cell therapy is rapidly moving toward translation to clinical application. To elucidate the therapeutic effect, a robust method that allows tracking of the stem cells over an extended period of time is required. Herein, semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) are demonstrated for their use in bright labeling and tracking of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in vivo. The Pdots coated with a cell-penetrating peptide (R8) showed remarkable endocytic uptake efficiency that was 15 times higher than that of carboxyl Pdots and more than 200 times than that of bare Pdots. The Pdot-labeled MSCs can be traced for 15 generations in vitro and tracked over 2 weeks in vivo after subcutaneous transplantation. The labeled MSCs administered through the tail vein were preferentially accumulated in the lung; this was distinctive from the distribution of free Pdots, which were primarily distributed in the liver. Based on the properties of bright labeling, excellent tracking capability, and great biocompatibility, the Pdots will be valuable in the applications of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zihui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Shandong Province Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for, Tumor Markers, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong, 276000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D058948:Cell Tracking / Q000379:methods*; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry; D012666:Semiconductors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers
keywords: cell tracking; fluorescent probes; imaging agents; polymers; semiconductors