Jens T. Rosenberg1, 2, Megan Muroski3, Tom Morgan4, Cathy Levenson4, Geoffrey Strouse3, Samuel Colles Grant1, 2
1Center for Interdisciplinary Magnetic Resonance, The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, United States; 2Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States; 3Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States; 4Biomedical Sciences, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated significant potential for use in the treatment of nervous system injuries, mainly through the secretion of protective proteins rather than direct regeneration. The transport, secretory profile and ultimate fate of MSCs are still areas of active research. The current study reports on a fluorescein and DNA plasmid functionalized iron oxide nanoparticle that has been instituted successfully in MSCs. Used in an animal stroke model, the nanoparticle imparts multimodal MR and optical imaging capabilities as well as genetically modifies MSCs to express in vivo mCherry fluorescence, a precursor to other manipulations of MSC protein expression.