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Stem cell labeling using polyethylenimine conjugated (α-NaYbF4:Tm3+)/CaF2 upconversion nanoparticles.
Liang Zhao1, Artem Kutikov, Jie Shen
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts-Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States.
Theranostics
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Polyethylenimine-upconversion nanoparticles (PEI-UCNPs) offer stable, near-infrared emitting probes for labeling rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs). PEI-UCNPs show minimal cytotoxicity and maintain rMSC differentiation potential, making them promising for in vivo stem cell tracking.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) offer unique optical properties for bioimaging.
- Rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) are crucial for regenerative medicine and require effective tracking methods.
- Conventional stem cell labeling techniques face challenges with stability and in vivo imaging depth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate polyethylenimine-conjugated upconversion nanoparticles (PEI-UCNPs) for labeling rMSCs.
- To assess the stability, cytotoxicity, and impact on differentiation of PEI-UCNPs in rMSCs.
- To investigate the potential of PEI-UCNPs for in vivo stem cell tracking.
Main Methods:
- Covalent conjugation of polyethylenimine (PEI) to (α-NaYbF4:Tm3+)/CaF2 UCNPs.
- Characterization of PEI-UCNP suspension stability in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
- Systematic evaluation of PEI-UCNP dose and exposure time on rMSC viability and proliferation.
- Assessment of PEI-UCNP exocytosis and impact on rMSC osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.
- In vitro transwell culture experiments to evaluate cell-cell labeling.
Main Results:
- PEI-UCNPs demonstrated significantly enhanced stability in PBS compared to layer-by-layer coated UCNPs.
- Efficient rMSC labeling was achieved with 100 µg/mL PEI-UCNPs for 4 hours, showing 95% cell viability.
- Extended exposure (24 hours) or higher doses resulted in increased rMSC cytotoxicity (60% viability).
- Labeled rMSCs exhibited normal early proliferation, no significant exocytosis, and maintained differentiation capacity (osteogenesis slightly reduced).
Conclusions:
- PEI-UCNPs are stable and effective agents for labeling rMSCs.
- The labeling method shows low cytotoxicity at optimized doses and exposure times.
- PEI-UCNPs hold promise for advanced in vivo stem cell tracking and imaging applications.
