Gold nanoparticle-cell labeling methodology for tracking stem cells within the brain

Oshra Betzer, Rinat Meir, Menachem Motiei, Gal Yadid, Rachela Popovtzer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Cell therapy provides a promising approach for diseases and injuries that conventional therapies cannot cure effectively. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used as effective targeted therapy, as they exhibit homing capabilities to sites of injury and inflammation, exert anti-inflammatory effects, and can differentiate in order to regenerate damaged tissue. Despite the potential efficacy of cell therapy, applying cell-based therapy in clinical practice is very challenging; there is a need to uncover the mystery regarding the fate of the transplanted cells. Therefore, in this study, we developed a method for longitudinal and quantitative in vivo cell tracking, based on the superior visualization abilities of classical X-ray computed tomography (CT), and combined with gold nanoparticles as labeling agents. We applied this technique for non-invasive imaging of MSCs transplanted in a rat model for depression, a highly prevalent and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder lacking effective treatment. Our results, which demonstrate that cell migration could be detected as early as 24 hours and up to one month post-transplantation, revealed that MSCs specifically navigated and homed to distinct depression related brain regions. This research further reveals that cell therapy is a beneficial approach for treating neuropsychiatric disorders; Behavioral manifestations of core symptoms of depressive behavior, were significantly attenuated following treatment. We expect This CT-based technique to lead to a significant enhancement in cellular therapy both for basic research and clinical applications of brain pathologies.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNanoscale Imaging, Sensing, and Actuation for Biomedical Applications XIV
EditorsDan V. Nicolau, Dror Fixler, Alexander N. Cartwright
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510605954
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
EventNanoscale Imaging, Sensing, and Actuation for Biomedical Applications XIV 2017 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 30 Jan 20171 Feb 2017

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume10077

Conference

ConferenceNanoscale Imaging, Sensing, and Actuation for Biomedical Applications XIV 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period30/01/171/02/17

Keywords

  • CT imaging
  • Cell tracking
  • Depression
  • Gold nanoparticles
  • Stem cells

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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