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Labeling hESCs and hMSCs with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Non-Invasive in vivo Tracking with MR Imaging
Published on: March 31, 2008
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Encapsulin Based Self-Assembling Iron-Containing Protein Nanoparticles for Stem Cells MRI Visualization.
Anna N Gabashvili1,2, Stepan S Vodopyanov2,3, Nelly S Chmelyuk1,2
1Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova St., 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 27, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel genetic labeling method for human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using bacterial encapsulin. This method enables noninvasive MRI tracking of MSCs without impacting cell viability or signal intensity during cell division.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cell therapy offers promising treatments but requires precise monitoring.
- Current methods for tracking cells, like magnetic nanoparticles, have limitations including affecting cell viability and signal dilution during cell division.
- Noninvasive techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are crucial for monitoring cell distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, genetically encoded labeling system for human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
- To enable noninvasive, long-term tracking of MSCs using MRI.
- To overcome the limitations of exogenous magnetic labels in cell therapy.
Main Methods:
- Genetically engineered human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to express bacterial encapsulin from Myxococcus xanthus.
- Coexpressed ferroxidase as a cargo protein within encapsulin shells for nanoparticle synthesis.
- Enhanced cellular iron uptake by expressing the mZip14 protein.
- Evaluated nanoparticle synthesis, cell viability, and MRI contrast properties.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized iron-containing nanoparticles within MSCs via genetic encoding.
- Demonstrated that the genetic labeling did not affect MSC viability.
- Showcased enhanced MRI contrast properties of labeled MSCs.
- Confirmed stable signal intensity during cell division, unlike exogenous labels.
Conclusions:
- Genetically encoded encapsulin provides a stable and noninvasive method for labeling MSCs for MRI tracking.
- This approach overcomes key limitations of traditional magnetic nanoparticle labeling.
- The developed system holds significant potential for advancing cell therapy applications through improved cell monitoring.
