Stem cell tracking is an essential prerequisite for effective stem cell therapy. Computed tomography (CT) imaging technique is an emerging quantitative tool to detect real time distribution of transplanted cells. Most of CT labels based on the high atomic number (Z) materials have concern over biocompatibility. The present book chapter describes a protocol for the use of biocompatible gold nanoparticles as a CT marker for efficient labeling of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and subsequent cell tracking in rodent models.
Stem cell tracking is an essential prerequisite for effective stem cell therapy. Computed tomography (CT) imaging technique is an emerging quantitative tool to detect real time distribution of transplanted cells. Most of CT labels based on the high atomic number (Z) materials have concern over biocompatibility. The present book chapter describes a protocol for the use of biocompatible gold nanoparticles as a CT marker for efficient labeling of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and subsequent cell tracking in rodent models.