Key result
Transplantation of USPION-labeled endothelial progenitor cells in an atherosclerotic rabbit model enabled non-invasive MRI tracking and demonstrated successful homing to injured vascular endothelium.
Why the study?
The migratory, adhesive, proliferative, and angiogenic properties of EPCs remained unknown, prompting investigation into non-invasive MRI monitoring of USPION-labeled EPCs after transplantation and their therapeutic outcomes in atherosclerosis.
Does transplantation of USPION-labeled EPCs allow for in vivo MRI tracking and promote vascular repair in an atherosclerotic rabbit model?
Does transplantation of USPION-labeled EPCs allow for in vivo MRI tracking and promote vascular repair in an atherosclerotic rabbit model?
USPION-labeled EPCs can be non-invasively tracked in vivo using MRI and successfully home to atherosclerotic lesions in a rabbit model, offering a potential strategy for monitoring cell-based vascular repair.
USPION-labeled EPCs permit MRI tracking in rabbit atherosclerosis; leaves open therapeutic translation pending human trials.
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been discovered to be relevant to the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Previous research has demonstrated that EPCs serve vital roles in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Significant improvements have been made in MRI technology and in the experimental use of EPCs for therapeutic angiogenesis and vascular repair. Nevertheless, the migratory, adhesive, proliferative and angiogenic properties of EPCs remain unknown. The aims of the present study were to investigate the potential of using non‑invasive monitoring with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (USPION)‑labeled endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) after transplantation, and to assess the treatment outcomes in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. EPCs derived from rabbit peripheral blood samples were labeled with USPION‑poly‑l‑lysine (USPION‑PLL). The morphology, proliferation, adhesive ability and labeling efficiency of the EPCs were determined by optical and electron microscopy. Moreover, biological activity was assessed by flow cytometry. In addition, T2‑weighted image fast spin‑echo MRI was used to detect cell labeling. USPION content in the labeled EPCs was determined by Prussian blue staining and scanning electron microscopy. Rabbit atherosclerosis model was established using a high‑fat diet. USPION‑labeled EPCs were transplanted into rabbits, and in vivo MRI was performed 1 and 7 days after transplantation. It was found that EPCs cultured on Matrigel formed capillary‑like structures, and expressed the surface markers CD133, CD31, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The optimal USPION concentration was 32 µg/ml, as determined by adhesion and proliferation assays. It was identified that USPION‑PLL nanoparticles were 10‑20 nm in diameter. Histopathological analysis results indicated that 1 day after transplantation of the labeled EPCs, blue‑stained granules were observed in the intima of vascular lesions in rabbit models after Prussian blue staining. Therefore, the present results suggest that USPION‑labeled EPCs may play a role in repairing endothelial injury and preventing atherosclerosis in vivo.
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Wei et al. (2020) studied Atherosclerosis (n=40). USPION-labeled endothelial progenitor cells vs. Unlabeled endothelial progenitor cells was evaluated on In vivo MRI tracking and histopathological localization of labeled EPCs. Transplantation of USPION-labeled endothelial progenitor cells in an atherosclerotic rabbit model enabled non-invasive MRI tracking and demonstrated successful homing to injured vascular endothelium.
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