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Figure 2 | BMC Biotechnology

Figure 2

From: AC133+ progenitor cells as gene delivery vehicle and cellular probe in subcutaneous tumor models: a preliminary study

Figure 2

Accumulation of magnetically labeled, transgenic AC133+ progenitor cells (APCs) around the implanted tumor. MRI shows low signal intensity areas at the margin of the tumor (A, C), which are at the corresponding sites of iron positive cells detected by Prussian blue staining (E, F). The central low signal intensity areas are due to hemorrhagic foci within the tumor. B (trans-axial sections) and D (coronal sections) of SPECT studies indicate the accumulated transgenic APCs that are detected by T-99m (within the white dotted oval ROI). The SPECT study also proves the migration and homing of APCs at the margin of the tumors (seen on MRI). Immunohistochemistry shows the accumulation of NIS positive cells and CD31 positive cells at the corresponding sites, as detected by labeled secondary antibodies (G, H). The findings prove that APCs can carry reporter or therapeutic genes to the site of interest (here at the site of active angiogenesis) and magnetically labeled APCs will act as probe for cellular MRI. MRI and SPECT of control unlabeled non-transduced AC133+ progenitor cells (I, J)

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