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Tracking Neural Stem Cells in vivo: Achievements and Limitations

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Abstract

Neural stem cell (NSC) therapies are developing rapidly and have been proposed as a treatment option for various neurological diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. However, monitoring transplanted NSCs, exploring their location and migration, and evaluating their efficacy and safety have all become serious and important issues. Two main problems in tracking NSCs have been noted: labeling them for visibility and imaging them. Direct labeling and reporter gene labeling are the two main methods for labeling stem cells. Magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear imaging, including positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and optical imaging, are the most commonly used imaging techniques. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Thus, multimodal imaging, which combines two or more imaging methods to complement the advantages and disadvantages of each, has garnered increased attention. Advances in image fusion and nanotechnology, as well as the exploration of new tracers and new imaging modalities have substantially facilitated the development of NSC tracking technology. However, the safety issues related to tracking and long-term tracking of cell viability are still challenges. In this review, we discuss the merits and defects of different labeling and imaging methods, as well as recent advances, challenges and prospects in NSC tracking.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Clinical Research Plan of SHDC (No. SHDC2020CR2024B), Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (20JC1412000) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (82071341, 81771295, 81801195).

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  1. Chun-Ran Xue and Kan Wang both authors contributed equally to this work.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200127, People’s Republic of China

    Chun-Ran Xue, Kan Wang, Meng-Ze Zhang, Ze Wang, Ya-Ying Song, Hao-Jun Yu, Yong Hao & Yang-Tai Guan

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  1. Chun-Ran Xue
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Chun-Ran Xue and Kan Wang contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors. Meng-Ze Zhang, Ze Wang, Ya-Ying Song, Hao-Jun Yu, Yong Hao and Yang-Tai Guan reviewed and modified the manuscript. All authors agreed on the final version.

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Xue, CR., Wang, K., Zhang, MZ. et al. Tracking Neural Stem Cells in vivo: Achievements and Limitations. Stem Cell Rev and Rep 18, 1774–1788 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-022-10333-z

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