Synchrotron radiation microtomography for the ex-vivo and in-vivo evaluation of nanoparticle-labeled stem cell homing in muscular tissue

In the perspective of clinical translation of stem cell research, the possibility to detect donor cells after transplantation and to track their fate is fundamental for a better understanding of their role in the regeneration of damaged tissues. In this article we summarize the results of ex-vivo and in-vivo X-ray computed microtomography experiments for 3D visualization of stem cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles and transplanted via intra-arterial infusion. We show that X-ray computed microtomography offers the possibility to detect with high definition and resolution human cells after transplantation, and opens new possibilities for experimental stem cell research.