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Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2011;1(1):18-28.
Review article
Imaging of induced pluripotent stem cells: from cellular reprogramming to
transplantation
Weibo Cai, Yin Zhang, Timothy J. Kamp
Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison,
Wisconsin, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Medicine, University of
Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Received May 24, 2011; accepted June 16, 2011; Epub June 18, 2011; Published August 1, 2011
Abstract: Successful reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) ushered in a new era of
regenerative medicine. Human iPSCs provide powerful new approaches for disease modeling, drug testing, developmental studies,
and therapeutic applications. Investigating iPSC behavior in vivo and the ultimate feasibility of cell transplantation therapy
necessitates the development of novel imaging techniques to longitudinally monitor iPSC localization, proliferation, integration, and
differentiation in living subjects. At this five year mark of initial iPSC discovery, we review the current status of imaging iPSCs which
ranges from in vitro studies, where imaging was used to study the processes/mechanisms of cellular reprogramming, to in vivo
imaging of the survival of transplanted cells. To date, most imaging studies of iPSCs have been based on optical techniques, which
include fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging. Since each imaging technique has its advantages and limitations, a
combination of multiple imaging modalities may provide complementary information. The ideal imaging approach for tracking iPSCs
or their derivatives in patients requires the imaging tag to be non-toxic, biocompatible, and highly specific to reduce perturbation of
these cells. In few other scenarios can “personalized medicine” be better illustrated than the use of individual patient-specific iPSCs.
Much future effort will be required before this can become a reality and clinical routine, where imaging will play an indispensible role
in many facets of iPSC-based research and therapies. (ajnmmi1105003).
Keywords: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), molecular imaging, regenerative medicine, cell tracking, bioluminescence
imaging (BLI), fluorescence imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), teratoma
Full text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Weibo Cai, PhD
Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Room 7137, 1111 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA.
Fax: 1-608-265-0614; Tel: 1-608-262-1749
E-mail: wcai@uwhealth.org
Review article
Imaging of induced pluripotent stem cells: from cellular reprogramming to
transplantation
Weibo Cai, Yin Zhang, Timothy J. Kamp
Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison,
Wisconsin, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Medicine, University of
Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Received May 24, 2011; accepted June 16, 2011; Epub June 18, 2011; Published August 1, 2011
Abstract: Successful reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) ushered in a new era of
regenerative medicine. Human iPSCs provide powerful new approaches for disease modeling, drug testing, developmental studies,
and therapeutic applications. Investigating iPSC behavior in vivo and the ultimate feasibility of cell transplantation therapy
necessitates the development of novel imaging techniques to longitudinally monitor iPSC localization, proliferation, integration, and
differentiation in living subjects. At this five year mark of initial iPSC discovery, we review the current status of imaging iPSCs which
ranges from in vitro studies, where imaging was used to study the processes/mechanisms of cellular reprogramming, to in vivo
imaging of the survival of transplanted cells. To date, most imaging studies of iPSCs have been based on optical techniques, which
include fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging. Since each imaging technique has its advantages and limitations, a
combination of multiple imaging modalities may provide complementary information. The ideal imaging approach for tracking iPSCs
or their derivatives in patients requires the imaging tag to be non-toxic, biocompatible, and highly specific to reduce perturbation of
these cells. In few other scenarios can “personalized medicine” be better illustrated than the use of individual patient-specific iPSCs.
Much future effort will be required before this can become a reality and clinical routine, where imaging will play an indispensible role
in many facets of iPSC-based research and therapies. (ajnmmi1105003).
Keywords: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), molecular imaging, regenerative medicine, cell tracking, bioluminescence
imaging (BLI), fluorescence imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), teratoma
Full text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Weibo Cai, PhD
Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Room 7137, 1111 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705-2275, USA.
Fax: 1-608-265-0614; Tel: 1-608-262-1749
E-mail: wcai@uwhealth.org
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