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Otte EA, Smith TN, Glass N, Wolvetang EJ, Cooper-White JJ. Exploring the cell interactome: deciphering relative impacts of cell-cell communication in cell co-culture using a novel microfluidic device. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:537-548. [PMID: 38168806 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00670k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The human body is made up of approximately 40 trillion cells in close contact, with the cellular density of individual tissues varying from 1 million to 1 billion cells per cubic centimetre. Interactions between different cell types (termed heterotypic) are thus common in vivo. Communication between cells can take the form of direct cell-cell contact mediated by plasma membrane proteins or through paracrine signalling mediated through the release, diffusion, and receipt of soluble factors. There is currently no systematic method to investigate the relative contributions of these mechanisms to cell behaviour. In this paper, we detail the conception, development and validation of a microfluidic device that allows cell-cell contact and paracrine signalling in defined areas and over a variety of biologically relevant length scales, referred to as the interactome-device or 'I-device'. Importantly, by intrinsic device design features, cells in different regions in the device are exposed to four different interaction types, including a) no heterotypic cell interaction, b) only paracrine signalling, c) only cell-cell direct contact, or d) both forms of interaction (paracrine and cell-cell direct contact) together. The device design was validated by both mathematical modelling and experiments. Perfused stem cell culture over the medium term and the formation of direct contact between cells in the culture chambers was confirmed. The I-device offers significant flexibility, being able to be applied to any combination of adherent cells to determine the relative contributions of different communication mechanisms to cellular outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen A Otte
- Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics Laboratory (TE&M), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Manufacturing, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Taryn N Smith
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Nick Glass
- Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics Laboratory (TE&M), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- The UQ Centre in Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering (StemCARE), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ernst J Wolvetang
- Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics Laboratory (TE&M), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- The UQ Centre in Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering (StemCARE), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Justin J Cooper-White
- Tissue Engineering and Microfluidics Laboratory (TE&M), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- The UQ Centre in Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering (StemCARE), Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Manufacturing, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Wadkin LE, Orozco-Fuentes S, Neganova I, Lako M, Barrio RA, Baggaley AW, Parker NG, Shukurov A. OCT4 expression in human embryonic stem cells: spatio-temporal dynamics and fate transitions. Phys Biol 2021; 18:026003. [PMID: 33296887 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/abd22b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The improved in vitro regulation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) pluripotency and differentiation trajectories is required for their promising clinical applications. The temporal and spatial quantification of the molecular interactions controlling pluripotency is also necessary for the development of successful mathematical and computational models. Here we use time-lapse experimental data of OCT4-mCherry fluorescence intensity to quantify the temporal and spatial dynamics of the pluripotency transcription factor OCT4 in a growing hESC colony in the presence and absence of BMP4. We characterise the internal self-regulation of OCT4 using the Hurst exponent and autocorrelation analysis, quantify the intra-cellular fluctuations and consider the diffusive nature of OCT4 evolution for individual cells and pairs of their descendants. We find that OCT4 abundance in the daughter cells fluctuates sub-diffusively, showing anti-persistent self-regulation. We obtain the stationary probability distributions governing hESC transitions amongst the different cell states and establish the times at which pro-fate cells (which later give rise to pluripotent or differentiated cells) cluster in the colony. By quantifying the similarities between the OCT4 expression amongst neighbouring cells, we show that hESCs express similar OCT4 to cells within their local neighbourhood within the first two days of the experiment and before BMP4 treatment. Our framework allows us to quantify the relevant properties of proliferating hESC colonies and the procedure is widely applicable to other transcription factors and cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Wadkin
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Araújo MR, Kyrylenko S, Spejo AB, Castro MV, Ferreira Junior RS, Barraviera B, Oliveira ALR. Transgenic human embryonic stem cells overexpressing FGF2 stimulate neuroprotection following spinal cord ventral root avulsion. Exp Neurol 2017; 294:45-57. [PMID: 28450050 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ventral root avulsion (VRA) triggers a strong glial reaction which contributes to neuronal loss, as well as to synaptic detachment. To overcome the degenerative effects of VRA, treatments with neurotrophic factors and stem cells have been proposed. Thus, we investigated neuroprotection elicited by human embryonic stem cells (hESC), modified to overexpress a human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), on motoneurons subjected to VRA. Lewis rats were submitted to VRA (L4-L6) and hESC/FGF-2 were applied to the injury site using a fibrin scaffold. The spinal cords were processed to evaluate neuronal survival, synaptic stability, and glial reactivity two weeks post lesion. Then, qRT-PCR was used to assess gene expression of β2-microglobulin (β2m), TNFα, IL1β, IL6 and IL10 in the spinal cord in vivo and FGF2 mRNA levels in hESC in vitro. The results indicate that hESC overexpressing FGF2 significantly rescued avulsed motoneurons, preserving synaptic covering and reducing astroglial reactivity. The cells were also shown to express BDNF and GDNF at the site of injury. Additionally, engraftment of hESC led to a significant reduction in mRNA levels of TNFα at the spinal cord ventral horn, indicating their immunomodulatory properties. Overall, the present data suggest that hESC overexpressing FGF2 are neuroprotective and can shift gene expression towards an anti-inflammatory environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rocha Araújo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergiy Kyrylenko
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Aline Barroso Spejo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mateus Vidigal Castro
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP-Univ. Estadual Paulista), São Paulo State, Brazil; Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP-Univ. Estadual Paulista), São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Benedito Barraviera
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP-Univ. Estadual Paulista), São Paulo State, Brazil; Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP), São Paulo State University (UNESP-Univ. Estadual Paulista), São Paulo State, Brazil
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Sharifi Tabar M, Hesaraki M, Esfandiari F, Sahraneshin Samani F, Vakilian H, Baharvand H. Evaluating Electroporation and Lipofectamine Approaches for Transient and Stable Transgene Expressions in Human Fibroblasts and Embryonic Stem Cells. CELL JOURNAL 2015; 17:438-50. [PMID: 26464815 PMCID: PMC4601864 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2015.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective Genetic modification of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is critical for
their extensive use as a fundamental tool for cell therapy and basic research. Despite
the fact that various methods such as lipofection and electroporation have been applied
to transfer the gene of interest (GOI) into the target cell line, however, there are few re-
ports that compare all parameters, which influence transfection efficiency. In this study,
we examine all parameters that affect the efficiency of electroporation and lipofection for
transient and long-term gene expression in three different cell lines to introduce the best
method and determinant factor.
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, both electroporation and lipofection
approaches were employed for genetic modification. pCAG-EGFP was applied for tran-
sient expression of green fluorescent protein in two genetically different hESC lines, Roy-
an H5 (XX) and Royan H6 (XY), as well as human foreskin fibroblasts (hFF). For long-term
EGFP expression VASA and OLIG2 promoters (germ cell and motoneuron specific genes,
respectively), were isolated and subsequently cloned into a pBluMAR5 plasmid backbone
to drive EGFP expression. Flow cytometry analysis was performed two days after trans-
fection to determine transient expression efficiency. Differentiation of drug resistant hESC
colonies toward primordial germ cells (PGCs) was conducted to confirm stable integration
of the transgene.
Results Transient and stable expression suggested a variable potential for different cell
lines against transfection. Analysis of parameters that influenced gene transformation ef-
ficiency revealed that the vector concentrations from 20-60 μg and the density of the sub-
jected cells (5×105and 1×106cells) were not as effective as the genetic background and
voltage rate. The present data indicated that in contrast to the circular form, the linearized
vector generated more distinctive drug resistant colonies.
Conclusion Electroporation was an efficient tool for genetic engineering of hESCs
compared to the chemical method. The genetic background of the subjected cell line
for transfection seemed to be a fundamental factor in each gene delivery method. For
each cell line, optimum voltage rate should be calculated as it has been shown to play
a crucial role in cell death and rate of gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Sharifi Tabar
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Hesaraki
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Esfandiari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Sahraneshin Samani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haghighat Vakilian
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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Ovchinnikov DA, Hidalgo A, Yang SK, Zhang X, Hudson J, Mazzone SB, Chen C, Cooper-White JJ, Wolvetang EJ. Isolation of contractile cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyogenic cultures using a human NCX1-EGFP reporter. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:11-20. [PMID: 25075536 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prospective isolation of defined contractile human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes is advantageous for regenerative medicine and drug screening applications. Currently, enrichment of cardiomyocyte populations from such cultures can be achieved by combinations of cell surface markers or the labor-intensive genetic modification of cardiac developmental genes, such as NKX2.5 or MYH6, with fluorescent reporters. To create a facile, portable method for the isolation of contractile cardiomyocytes from cardiomyogenic hPSC cultures, we employed a highly conserved cardiac enhancer sequence in the SLC8A1 (NCX1) gene to generate a lentivirally deliverable, antibiotic-selectable NCX1cp-EGFP reporter. We show that human embryonic stem cells (and induced pluripotent stem cells) transduced with the NCX1cp-EGFP reporter cassette exhibit enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression in cardiac progenitors from 5 days into the directed cardiac hPSC differentiation protocol, with all reporter-positive cells transitioning to spontaneously contracting foci 3 days later. In subsequent stages of cardiomyocyte maturation, NCX1cp-EGFP expression was exclusively limited to contractile cells expressing high levels of cardiac troponin T (CTNT), MLC2a/v, and α-actinin proteins, and was not present in CD90/THY1(+) cardiac stromal cells or CD31/PECAM(+) endothelial cells. Flow-assisted cytometrically sorted EGFP(+) fractions of differentiated cultures were highly enriched in both early (NKX2.5 and TBX5) and late (CTNT/TNNI2, MYH6, MYH7, NPPA, and MYL2) cardiomyocyte markers, with a significant proportion of cells displaying a ventricular-like action potential pattern in patch-clamp recordings. We conclude that the use of the cardiac-specific promoter of the human SLC8A1(NCX1) gene is an effective strategy to isolate contractile cardiac cells and their progenitors from hPSC-derived cardiomyogenic cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry A Ovchinnikov
- 1 Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, Australia
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Thakar NY, Ovchinnikov DA, Hastie ML, Gorman J, Wolvetang EJ. RELB Alters Proliferation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells via IMP3- and LIN28-Mediated Modulation of the Expression of IGF2 and Other Cell-Cycle Regulators. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:1888-900. [PMID: 25794352 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the exit from pluripotency, cell cycle progression, and lineage-specific differentiation in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are poorly understood. RELB, a key protein in the noncanonical nuclear factor-kappaB (NFκB) signaling pathway, was previously implicated in controlling the switch between human embryonic stem cell (hESC) proliferation and differentiation. Here, we show that RELB enhances the proliferation of hESCs and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) without affecting their pluripotency. We demonstrate that RELB does this by interacting with two RNA-binding proteins LIN28A and IMP3 (IGF2 mRNA-binding protein 3); further, these interactions control mRNA levels and protein expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and key cell-cycle genes. Finally, after stress, these proteins co-localize in stress granules in hESCs and iPSCs. Our data identify RELB as a novel regulator of hPSC proliferation, and suggest a new function for RELB, in addition to its widely accepted role as a transcription factor, that involves recruitment of IMP3 and LIN28 to the cytosolic mRNA translation-control domains for post-transcriptional modulation of IGF2 and cell-cycle gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Yogeshkumar Thakar
- 1 Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Dmitry Alexander Ovchinnikov
- 1 Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Marcus Lachlan Hastie
- 2 Protein Discovery Centre, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Gorman
- 2 Protein Discovery Centre, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Ernst Jurgen Wolvetang
- 1 Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland , St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
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Ovchinnikov DA, Sun J, Wolvetang EJ. Generation of Footprint-Free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Fibroblasts Using Episomal Plasmid Vectors. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1330:37-45. [PMID: 26621587 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2848-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have provided novel insights into the etiology of disease and are set to transform regenerative medicine and drug screening over the next decade. The generation of human iPSCs free of a genetic footprint of the reprogramming process is crucial for the realization of these potential uses. Here we describe in detail the generation of human iPSC from control and disease-carrying individuals' fibroblasts using episomal plasmids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry A Ovchinnikov
- Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Corner College and Cooper Rds (Building 75), St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jane Sun
- Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Corner College and Cooper Rds (Building 75), St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ernst J Wolvetang
- Stem Cell Engineering Group, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Corner College and Cooper Rds (Building 75), St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Ovchinnikov DA, Titmarsh DM, Fortuna PR, Hidalgo A, Alharbi S, Whitworth DJ, Cooper-White JJ, Wolvetang EJ. Transgenic human ES and iPS reporter cell lines for identification and selection of pluripotent stem cells in vitro. Stem Cell Res 2014; 13:251-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Edmundson M, Thanh NTK, Song B. Nanoparticles based stem cell tracking in regenerative medicine. Theranostics 2013; 3:573-82. [PMID: 23946823 PMCID: PMC3741606 DOI: 10.7150/thno.5477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapies offer great potentials in the treatment for a wide range of diseases and conditions. With so many stem cell replacement therapies going through clinical trials currently, there is a great need to understand the mechanisms behind a successful therapy, and one of the critical points of discovering them is to track stem cell migration, proliferation and differentiation in vivo. To be of most use tracking methods should ideally be non-invasive, high resolution and allow tracking in three dimensions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the ideal methods, but requires a suitable contrast agent to be loaded to the cells to be tracked, and one of the most wide-spread in stem cell tracking is a group of agents known as magnetic nanoparticles. This review will explore the current use of magnetic nanoparticles in developing and performing stem cell therapies, and will investigate their potential limitations and the future directions magnetic nanoparticle tracking is heading in.
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Cova L, Bigini P, Diana V, Sitia L, Ferrari R, Pesce RM, Khalaf R, Bossolasco P, Ubezio P, Lupi M, Tortarolo M, Colombo L, Giardino D, Silani V, Morbidelli M, Salmona M, Moscatelli D. Biocompatible fluorescent nanoparticles for in vivo stem cell tracking. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 24:245603. [PMID: 23690139 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/24/245603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Efficient application of stem cells to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases requires safe cell tracking to follow stem cell fate over time in the host environment after transplantation. In this work, for the first time, fluorescent and biocompatible methyl methacrylate (MMA)-based nanoparticles (fluoNPs) were synthesized through a free-radical co-polymerization process with a fluorescent macromonomer obtained by linking Rhodamine B and hydroxyethyl methacrylate. We demonstrate that the fluoNPs produced by polymerization of MMA-Rhodamine complexes (1) were efficient for the labeling and tracking of multipotent human amniotic fluid cells (hAFCs); (2) did not alter the main biological features of hAFCs (such as viability, cell growth and metabolic activity); (3) enabled us to determine the longitudinal bio-distribution of hAFCs in different brain areas after graft in the brain ventricles of healthy mice by a direct fluorescence-based technique. The reliability of our approach was furthermore confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging analyses, carried out by incubating hAFCs with both superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and fluoNPs. Our data suggest that these finely tunable and biocompatible fluoNPs can be exploited for the longitudinal tracking of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Cova
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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