Adipose-derived stem cells labeled with spio-coated hollow gold nanoshells as theranostic approach for liver injury

• Published in: Journal of vascular and interventional radiology Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. S89 - S90
• Main Authors: Zhao, J, Jody Vykoukal, J, Abdelsalam, M.E, Recio-Boiles, A, Javadi, S, Bankson, J, Wallace, M.J, Avritscher, R, Melancon, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Radiology
• ISSN: 1051-0443
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2013.01.216

Purpose Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) could differentiate into hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, neurons, cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Its capability of homing to injured liver makes AD-MSC a unique carrier for theranostic agents. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) have long been used as an agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while gold-based nanoparticles (AuNS) have been shown pre-clinically to mediate photothermal ablation therapy. In this study, we transfected AD-MSCs with SPIO-coated AuNS (SPIO@AuNS) and tested its action as a theranostic agent targeting liver injuries. Materials and Methods In this study, AD-MSCs were labeled with SPIO@AuNS. Characterization included labeling efficiency, viability, ability to differentiate, and relaxation times in vitro. For the in vivo feasibility investigation, liver fibrosis was induced in mice (n=4) and 2 weeks later, the fate of SPIO@AuNS-labeled AD-MSCs was monitored using a respiratory gated T2* mapping sequence (TEmin = 4 ms, ΔTE = 5ms, FA = 30, FOV = 4x3 cm) on a 7T scanner (Bruker Biospin MRI, Inc) at t=0, 3h, 24h, and 7 days post-intrasplenic injection of SPIO@AuNS-labeled AD-MSCs. Animals were euthanized and tissue harvested for histology at the end of each imaging time. Results AD-MSCs were efficiently labeled with SPIO@AuNS. Cell viability was comparable to that of controls (p>0.05). Adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation assay showed its ability to differentiate. MR imaging showed decrease in T2* signal in the liver at 3h post injection (13.23±0.14 vs. 8.86±0.67), p<0.05. The contrast started to wane at 24h (9.51±0.36) and almost to baseline at 7 days (12.84±0.25). Histological analysis of the tissue demonstrated presence of liver fibrosis and recruitment of GFP-labeled stem cells into the liver. The co-localization of SPIO@AuNS in AD-MSCs was confirmed by iron staining and darkfied microscopy. Conclusion SPIO@AuNS-enhanced MR imaging of stem cells was shown in mice with liver fibrosis demonstrating that this is a promising approach as theranostic agent for injured liver. Current work is being done on its efficacy for laser induced thermal therapy.