Fluorescently Labeled Nanoparticles Enable the Detection of Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes

Abstract

Stem cell transplantation is emerging as a possible new treatment for liver cirrhosis, and recent animal studies have documented the benefits of stem cell therapy in a hepatic fibrosis model. However, the underlying mechanism of stem cell therapy is still unclear. Among the proposed mechanisms, the cell replacement mechanism is the oldest and most important, in which permanently damaged tissue can be replaced by normal tissue to restore function. In the present study, Cy5.5-labeled superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) was used to label human mesenchymal stem cells. The uptake of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles enabled the detection and monitoring of the transplanted stem cells; therefore, we confirmed the direct incorporation and differentiation of SPIO into the hepatocyte-like transplanted stem cells by detecting human tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), well-known enzymatic marker for hepatocyte-specific differentiation.

Therapeutic Use of Stem Cell Transplantation for Cell Replacement or Cytoprotective Effect of Microvesicle Released from Mesenchymal Stem Cell

“…7A , human originated cells were detected (arrow indicated) in lung tissues. These data were well matched with our previous report ( Ha et al, 2012 ). To examine whether transplanted hMSCs developed into functionally active lung cells or not, we conducted RT-PCR.…”

“…And transplantation of hMSCs significantly reduced every aspects of pulmonary fibrosis as above. Recently, we had reported that transplantation of hMSCs showed us a good therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis and also, we had succeeded to find the direct evidence of development of hMSCs into functionally active hepatocytes ( Ha et al, 2012 ). At that time, we had used cy5.5 labeled SPIO molecule to stain hMSCs and chased the transplanted hMSCs.…”