A modified approach to image guided cell based therapy for cardiovascular diseases using cardiac precursor nanoprobe – GloTrack

Abstract

For cell based myocardial repair, a reliable and selective enrichment strategy of the cardiac precursor cells is crucial. Herein, we describe a modified approach which is economical and potent prototype of a cardiac precursor nanoprobe called GloTrack. It functions as a cell label and tracking agent. GloTrack constitutes cardiac specific antibodies-SIRPA and KDR that are bound to the surface of PEG coated SPION, which aids in the segregation of cardiac precursor cells from cardiac/non cardiac origin. We aimed to characterize its physical attributes for size (CLSM, TEM, SEM, Zetasizer), labeling efficiency (FACS), topology (AFM) and surface charge (Zeta potential). In addition, we determined it's in vivo distribution through MRI. The results establish GloTrack as a negatively charged, 900 nm size on an average with a variable topology, 99% labeling efficiency, having a uniform distribution of SIRPA+/KDR+, and has the feasibility of tracking in vivo using 7T MRI.