Abstract
1769
Objectives To explore the feasibility of utilizing multimodality molecular imaging to monitor the transplanted stem cells in myocardial infarction models with a triple-fused reporter gene, termed TGF (HSV1-tk, eGFP and Fluc).
Methods Rat heart myocardial infarction model was prepared by ligated the left descending coronary artery, and verified by histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. A recombinant adenovirus vector carrying the triple-fused reporter gene (Ad5-TGF) was constructed. After transfected with Ad5-TGF (MOI=100), 5×106 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transplanted into the inferior wall of left ventricle. Whole-body micro PET/CT, fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging were performed to trace the transplanted stem cells in vivo at the different time after transplantation (Day 2, 3 and 7). Rats injected with untransfected BMSCs were used as control. The hearts were then taken out after imaging. PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis were used to evaluate the TGF reporter gene expression and stem cell specific antibody expression in the infarct cardiac tissue.
Results High signals at the heart area could be seen on micro PET/CT, fluorescence and bioluminescence images in the infracted rat models which injected with Ad5-TGF transfected BMSCs, whereas no signals on the control models (Fig 1). Table 1 showed the semi-quantitative value, which showed the signals were weaker with the time extension in all the three imaging modalities. The expression of TGF mRNA in the heart was confirmed by PCR. The site of TGF protein expression in IHC assay was same as the stem cell specific antibody expression, which suggested that TGF could be used to monitor the stem cells in situ.
Conclusions This study verified that TGF could be used as a reporter gene to monitor stem cells in myocardial infarction model with multimodality molecular imaging.
Research Support Supported by NSFC 30830041