Cell Proliferation, Viability, Differentiation, and Apoptosis of Iron Oxide Labeled Stem Cells Transfected with Lipofectamine Assessed by MRI

Abstract

To assess in vitro and in vivo tracking of iron oxide labeled stem cells transfected by lipofectamine using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), rat dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were characterized, labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles, and then transfected with lipofectamine to facilitate the internalization of these nanoparticles. Cell proliferation, viability, differentiation, and apoptosis were investigated. Prussian blue staining and MRI were used to trace transfected labeled cells. DPSCs were a morphologically spindle shape, adherent to culture plates, and positive for adipogenic and osteogenic inductions. They expressed CD73 and CD90 markers and lacked CD34 and CD45. Iron oxide labeling and transfection with lipofectamine in DPSCs had no toxic impact on viability, proliferation, and differentiation, and did not induce any apoptosis. In vitro and in vivo internalization of iron oxide nanoparticles within DPSCs were confirmed by Prussian blue staining and MRI tracking. Prussian blue staining and MRI tracking in the absence of any toxic effects on cell viability, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis were safe and accurate to track DPSCs labeled with iron oxide and transfected with lipofectamine. MRI can be a useful imaging modality when treatment outcome is targeted.

Unlocking the Potential of Dental-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine

“…Currently, novel biomaterials are designed for long-term contact with biological tissues, and they can simultaneously act as supportive and bioactive scaffolds [1][2][3]. These biomimetic materials interact with the surrounding tissues through molecular recognition mechanisms.…”

“…MSCs can be sourced from various tissues and organs, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, the periosteum, umbilical cord, placenta, trabecular bone, skeletal muscle, and oral cavity [3]. Oral-derived mesenchymal stem cells (oral MSCs) have attracted growing attention in the scientific community due to their unique characteristics; in fact, in addition to possessing multipotency similar to other MSCs, oral MSCs have the advantages of easy accessibility, genomic stability, and a faster proliferation rate compared to bone marrowderived MSCs [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”