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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.

|April 23, 2013

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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.

Keywords:

Bioimaging Near Infrared Photoluminescence Stem cell.Upconversion Nanoparticles

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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.