Nanoparticle labeling: a new era in vivo tracing the cells in liver studies

Abstract

Tracking molecules in vivo has always been challenging and there is increasing demand for tools that allow researchers to trace especially during cell-based therapies. Conjugated polymer based water-dispersible nanoparticles (NP) represent a new class of probes for cell imaging and tracking because they offer high brightness, improved photostability, high fluorescent quantum yield and non-cytotoxicity comparing to conventional dyes. We aimed to develop a novel approach by using fluorescein emitting NP to label Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and HUH7 cell lines and assess their fate in vivo in liver regeneration, liver fibrosis and xenografts.