Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation is starting to be used in clinical trials for regenerative rehabilitation in spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases. However, proper tracking of the transplanted NSCs is challenging. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is broadly used after NSC transplantation. Gadolinium (Gd) has been used as a MRI contrast agent because of its high resolution imaging. However, Gd contrast agents cause several adverse reactions such as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, allergy-like reactions, and Gd retention in tissues. Another disadvantage is that Gd is not trackable in the NSCs for long term while they are migrating to lesions. To overcome these disadvantages of Gd, we labeled NSCs using ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe-USNPs). We were able to grow NSCs as neurospheres followed by the addition of the Fe-USNPs. Cell growth and viability were not hampered by Fe-USNP up to 1 mg during Fe-USNP uptake. Stemness was maintained and verified using stem cell markers and differentiation markers. We were also able to confirm the tracking of Fe-USNPs in NSCs after their uptake by Prussian blue staining and MRI. These early results show a novel method in adapting the Fe-USNP labeling strategy for improved tracking of transplanted NSCs in the clinic in the future.

Labeling neural stem cells using trackable ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticle for cell transplantation therapy

255th National Meeting (2018)

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