Stem Cells Therapies in Basic Science and Translational Medicine: Current Status and Treatment Monitoring Strategies

Abstract

Stem-cell technology is a major area within cell therapy that promises significant therapeutic outcome. The plasticity and self-renewal capabilities of stem cells make them valuable tools for potential application in regenerative medicine and tissue replacement following injury or disease. Here, we discuss the different types of stem cells currently used in research, preclinical and early clinical development, their potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications, and current barriers to translating basic research into clinical therapies. Biomedical imaging is increasingly being used to monitor the fate of transplanted stem cells, including their survival, proliferation, differentiation and homing to targeted organs and tissues. We discuss different imaging modalities currently utilized to track stem calls, the advantages and challenges, and future implications in clinical applications.

Options for tracking GFP-Labeled transplanted myoblasts using in vivofluorescence imaging: implications for tracking stem cell fate

“…In recent years, in vivo imaging and tracking based on the GFP reporter gene has gradually become one of the most favorable strategies for such studies [1,11,30,31]. Several types of mutant GFP with good stability and enhanced fluorescent brightness have already been commercialized.…”

“…However, to date, besides the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies are still far away from being routinely used for clinical purposes [1-3], and further research is needed to clearly define mechanisms of their pharmaceutical properties and fully understand their potential biological side effects. Therefore, there is a great need for in vivo imaging methods to dynamically track the location, survival and engraftment of transplanted cells [1,4-7]. …”

“…Unfortunately, an unavoidable problem of this technique is the immunogenicity of GFP itself that has been described by several reports [12-15]. It is essential to be able to track and assess the engraftment of transplanted stem cells, as their properties and differentiation can be easily affected by multiple factors [1,8,16,17]. Even in a case of fully histocompatible or gene-modified autologous transplantation, many of the therapeutic gene-encoded proteins are immunogenic to the host, requiring administration of immunosuppressants [18-20].…”

The morphology, proliferation rate, and population doubling time factor of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on to non-aqueous SiO2, TiO2, and hybrid sol-gel-derived oxide coatings

“…Many hopes are set in the development of therapies that make use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from adult tissues. The MSCs are attributed several therapeutic properties, which makes them an excellent tool for tissue engineering and regeneration . The first and widely described source of MSCs has been the bone marrow (BMMSCs), and for this reason researchers focus special attention on the cells derived from this tissue .…”

“…The MSCs are attributed several therapeutic properties, which makes them an excellent tool for tissue engineering and regeneration. [4][5][6][7] The first and widely described source of MSCs has been the bone marrow (BMMSCs), and for this reason researchers focus special attention on the cells derived from this tissue. 8,9 Bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMMSCs) form only 0.001-0.01% of the total number of nucleated cells in the aspirate, 10 and therefore require time-consuming cultivation period.…”