Gold Nanoparticles as a Potential Cellular Probe for Tracking of Stem Cells in Bone Regeneration Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography

Abstract

Transplant of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) has attracted considerable interest for bone regeneration. However, noninvasive and real-time tracking of location and concentration of the implanted BMSCs remains a big challenge. Herein we designed a novel approach involving the surface modification of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with silica layers and DNA Transfectin 3000 (TS) to improve biocompatibility and to enhance the uptake by BMSCs, hence rendering the ability of tracking BMSCs with dual-energy computer tomography (DECT). Results showed that the endocytosis of AuNPs@SiO-TS by BMSCs was as high as ∼255 pg/cell after one-day incubation and did not obviously decrease after 14 days. Meanwhile, the AuNPs@SiO-TS had no influence on the viability, cell cycle, and capabilities on osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Under a bone-defect rabbit model, the DECT images showed the migration of BMSCs toward a cortical bone defect without variation in volume. This study demonstrated that AuNPs@SiO-TS could be a potential cellular probe for noninvasive and real-time tracking of BMSCs in bone tissue repairs using clinical CT or DECT techniques. It provided a novel and intuitive methodology for observing and investigating the bone regeneration in clinic.

Labeling Stem Cells with a New Hybrid Bismuth/Carbon Nanotube Contrast Agent for X-Ray Imaging

“…To the best of our knowledge, Bi@US-tubes and Bi 4 C@US-tubes are the first CNT-based materials containing bismuth to be used as intracellular CAs for the imaging of cells by X-ray CT. A similar work has been reported for MSCs labeled with gold nanoparticles and transplanted in a rat model; however, the cell growth after labeling was not evaluated [61]. A similar work with gold nanoparticles was reported for transplanted MSCs for bone regeneration [62]. Other previously reported methods to track cells by CT have not involved the CA being intracellular in nature.…”

The Critical Role of Cell Homing in Cytotherapeutics and Regenerative Medicine

“…Recently, an iron‐based nanocluster, which effectively labeled MSCs, was reported to track the fate of cells in vivo, and these labeled cells were accurately monitored with magnetic resonance imaging . Similarly, surface modification of gold nanoparticles with silica layers and DNA Transfectin 3000 (TS) was applied as a cellular probe for real‐time tracking of BMSCs in bone tissue using dual‐energy computed tomography . In fact, different factors and molecular mechanisms were found to regulate the activation of discrete cell populations from the bone marrow.…”

Living Bioelectronics: Strategies for Developing an Effective Long‐Term Implant with Functional Neural Connections

“…Conversely the use of non‐genetic markers allow for tracking via indirect clinical imaging modalities. Wan et al used dual‐energy computed tomography to track cells containing gold nanoparticles. Jendelova et al used magnetic resonance imaging to track cells containing iron nanoparticles.…”