Molecular Imaging for Stem Cell Transplantation in Neuroregenerative Medicine

Abstract

Stem cell transplantation is a promising new therapeutic option in different neurological diseases. However, it was not yet possible to translate its potential from animal models to clinical application. One of the main problems of applying stem cell transplantation in clinical medium is the difficulty of detection, localization, and examination of the stem cells in vivo at both cellular and molecular levels. State-of-the-art molecular imaging techniques provide new and better means for noninvasive, repeated, and quantitative tracking of stem cell implant or transplant. From initial deposition to the survival, migration, and differentiation of the transplant/implanted stem cells, current molecular imaging methods allow monitoring of the infused cells in the same live recipient over time. The present review briefly summarizes and compares these molecular imaging methods for cell labeling and imaging in animal models as well as in clinical application and sheds light on consecutive new therapeutic options if appropriate.

Experimental research Effects of intravenous human umbilical cord blood CD34+ stem cell therapy versus levodopa

“…Similarly, stem cells can differentiate into dopaminergic neurons that reinnervate the denervated striatum and become functionally integrated, restoring striatal dopamine release [61]. Stem cell transplantation and activation of endogenous neurogenesis represents currently one of the most promising therapeutic approaches to CNS repair in neuroregenerative medicine [62]. In the present study, functional assessment agreed with the biochemical and histopathologic assessment for CD34+ stem cell therapy.…”

Clinical neurorestorative progresses in cerebral palsy

“…Therefore, it is a promising technology to detect cellular effects of neurorestoration. 60,61 As mentioned earlier, in two case reports presented by Sharma et al, PET-CT scan of the brain was used as a monitoring tool to study the efficacy of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in CP. The functional and clinical improvements observed in these patients correlated with the change in brain metabolism displayed in the PET-CT scan.…”

Stem Cell Transplantation in Neuroscience: The Role of Molecular Imaging

“…The regenerative neurobiology research has become a great and interesting topic during the last years in basic but also in clinical neurosciences [3,4]. This change has led to promising approaches in the development of stem cell transplantation and also to orchestrate endogenous repair mechanism not only in brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases but more and more of other potential application possibilities in neurosciences [8,9].…”

“…It is still a long way until stem cell transplantation plays that role in clinical neurosciences that we all hope since several years [4]. To reach that goal is tightly coupled with advancements in molecular imaging.…”

“…Molecular imaging is a tool that needs a great knowledge not only of the molecular and cellular neurosciences, but also of neuroanatomy [4]. Molecular imaging is demanding, but used in the right hands, it opens a lot doors to our goal of a clinical application of stem cell transplantation in neurosciences [8,9].…”