Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Labeling Using Quantum Dots

Abstract

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have received remarkable attention as the cell sources for clinical applications of regenerative medicine including stem cell therapy. Additionally, labeling technology is in high demand for tracing transplanted cells used in stem cell therapy. In this study, we used quantum dots (QDs), which have distinct fluorescence abilities in comparison with traditional probes, as the labeling materials and investigated whether iPS cells could be labeled with QDs with no cytotoxicity. iPS cells could not be labeled with QDs alone but required the use of cell-penetrating peptides such as octaarginine (R8). No significant cytotoxicity to iPS cells was confirmed by up to 8 nM QDs, and the iPS cells labeled with QDs maintained their undifferentiated state and pluripotency. These data suggest that QDs can be used for fluorescence labeling of iPS cells.

In Vivo Imaging Technology of Transplanted Stem Cells Using Quantum Dots for Regenerative Medicine

“…Chemical methods using chemical substances, cationic liposomes, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), and antibodies were found to be useful for labeling QDs. 15,[38][39][40][41] Octa-arginine (R8) peptide was particularly readily available for stem cell labeling in our studies, because of the low cytotoxicity, easy operation and short transduction time. QDs with a negatively charged surface and R8 peptide were complexed at an optimum concentration ratio for 15 min, and then the solution including QDs and R8 complexes was added to the cell culture medium.…”

“…QDs with a negatively charged surface and R8 peptide were complexed at an optimum concentration ratio for 15 min, and then the solution including QDs and R8 complexes was added to the cell culture medium. After that, QDs were confirmed to be transduced into cells by the endocytosis pathway within at least 24 h. 12,[14][15][16]22 Meanwhile, Liu et al showed the carbon and graphene dots with various surface passivation schemes by organic or biomolecules ( Fig. 2a).…”

“…Stem cell labeling technologies using QDs and in vivo fluorescence imaging technologies of transplanted stem cells have been explored by our group since 2008. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] In this review paper, we mainly overview our research topics, including QD types, stem cell labeling methods by QDs and in vivo fluorescence imaging of transplanted stem cells labeled with QDs.…”

Nanobiodevice-based Single Biomolecule Analysis, Single-Cell Analysis, and in vivo Imaging for Cancer Diagnosis, Cancer Theranostics, and iPS Cell-based Regenerative Medicine

“…4B). 36 These technologies provide us novel technologies, such as "theranostic" devices, which means the fusion of therapy and diagnosis, and iPS cell based regenerative medicine.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In this review article, we mainly overview our research activities, including nanobiodevices for single-cell analysis, [20][21][22][23][24][25] single biomolecule analysis, 19,[26][27][28][29]41,46,50,[54][55][56][57][58] biomarker detections, 23,[30][31][32][33]39,[47][48][49] cancer theranostics, and iPS cell in vivo imaging. [20][21][22][23][24][25][34][35][36][37][38]40,[42][43][44][45]…”