Non-Invasive Cell Tracking with Brighter and Red-Transferred Luciferase forPotential Application in Stem Cell Therapy

摘要

This study investigated the safety of a novel cell-labeling technology with mKATE and luciferase (mKATE-renLUC) and assessed the efficacyon tracking implanted human placental stromal cells (PSC) in an erectile dysfunction (ED)animal model. Human PSC were labeled with mKATE-renLUC using a lentivirus. Cell viability,apoptosis, proliferation, migration, surface marker expression and differentiationpotential of the labeled PSC were evaluated and compared with non-labeled PSC. Theparacrine profile of labeled cells was examined using an angiogenesis protein array. Thebrightness and duration of labeled cells with different densities were evaluated. An EDrat model was established and labeled PSC were injected into cavernosal tissue of thepenis. The migration and distribution of transplanted PSC were monitored using an IVISimaging system in real time. Implanted PSC were identified in isolated tissues viadetection of mKATE fluorescence. The cell viability, morphology, proliferation, migration,surface marker expression and differentiation potential of mKATE-renLUC-labeled PSC weresimilar to those of non-labeled cells in vitro (no statistical difference >0.05). Similar expressions of trophic factors were found betweenlabeled and non-labeled PSC. The migration and distribution of PSC expressing renLUC weretracked in vivo using IVIS imaging system. mKATE-positive PSC were detected in penile,kidney, prostate and hepatic tissues using histological methods. This labeling technologyprovides a safe and effective cell-tracking approach with a brighter fluorophore andcodon-optimized luciferase.