Gliogenesis in Live Animals Using Targeted MRI: Detecting Neural Progenitor Cells in Vivo

Philip K. Liu¹, Christina H. Liu¹

Recruitment of specific cells is associated with tissue repair. Cell typing especially at the level of the DNA or RNA, has long depended on tissue biopsy of affected organs or postmortem investigation. The ability to evaluate therapies that might overcome such perturbations by using genes or cells (gene or stem cell therapies) in a host has been significantly limited. We have developed probes for specific cell type detection using mRNA targeting antisense DNA and contrast-enhanced MRI in live animals. Examples of detecting neural progenitor cells during brain repair after cerebral ischemia using targeted MRI in vivo will be presented.