Glowing stem cells navigating the human body, visualized through multi-modal imaging.

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: A New Frontier in Imaging and Therapy

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Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 5 min read.

"Unlock the Potential of hUCMSCs with Advanced Imaging Techniques for Enhanced Regenerative Medicine"


Stem cell therapy holds immense promise for treating a wide range of diseases, from autoimmune disorders to tissue regeneration. However, effectively tracking and understanding the behavior of transplanted stem cells in vivo—within a living organism—remains a significant challenge. Traditional methods often lack the sensitivity and real-time visualization needed to fully assess the distribution, survival, and integration of these cells.

To address this challenge, researchers are increasingly turning to multi-modal imaging techniques. These approaches combine different imaging modalities, such as fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), to provide a more comprehensive picture of stem cell behavior. A particularly promising avenue involves human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), which possess several advantages over other stem cell sources, including their ease of accessibility, high proliferative capacity, and low immunogenicity.

A recent study explored the potential of genetically modified hUCMSCs, labeled with both a fluorescent reporter gene (EGFP) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, for multi-modal imaging. This approach allows researchers to simultaneously visualize the cells using fluorescence microscopy, track their distribution with MRI, and assess their functionality with SPECT. The study's findings offer valuable insights into the development of more effective stem cell therapies and highlight the potential of hUCMSCs as a versatile tool for regenerative medicine.

Engineering hUCMSCs for Multi-Modal Imaging: A Step-by-Step Approach

Glowing stem cells navigating the human body, visualized through multi-modal imaging.

The study meticulously outlines the process of creating a stem cell line suitable for multi-modal imaging. Here's a breakdown of the key steps:

First, hUCMSCs were obtained from umbilical cords and genetically modified to express two key reporter genes: human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The EGFP gene allows for fluorescence-based tracking of the cells, while the hNIS gene enables imaging with radioactive iodine.

  • Lentiviral Transduction: The hUCMSCs were transduced with a lentiviral vector containing the hNIS and EGFP genes. Lentiviral vectors are efficient at delivering genes into cells, including stem cells, and ensuring stable expression of the desired genes.
  • SPIO Labeling: To enable MRI tracking, the hUCMSCs were labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are biocompatible and do not significantly affect cell viability or function.
  • Verification of Gene Expression and Function: The researchers confirmed that the hUCMSCs successfully expressed both hNIS and EGFP using Western blot analysis and fluorescence microscopy. They also verified the functionality of the hNIS protein by measuring the uptake and efflux of radioactive iodine.
The resulting SPIO, hNIS, and EGFP co-labeled hUCMSCs were then characterized to assess their stemness, proliferative activity, and differentiation potential. These assessments are crucial to ensure that the genetic modification and labeling process do not compromise the cells' therapeutic properties.

The Future of Stem Cell Therapy: Enhanced Tracking for Targeted Treatment

This study demonstrates the successful engineering of hUCMSCs for multi-modal imaging, providing a valuable tool for tracking stem cell behavior in vivo. By combining fluorescence, MRI, and SPECT imaging, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of stem cell distribution, survival, and integration, ultimately leading to more effective stem cell therapies.

While the study focused on in vitro characterization, the next step is to evaluate the performance of these engineered hUCMSCs in vivo models of disease. This will involve tracking the cells after transplantation and assessing their therapeutic efficacy in relevant disease contexts.

The ability to track stem cells with high precision and sensitivity is crucial for optimizing stem cell therapies and ensuring their safe and effective application in regenerative medicine. This research represents a significant step forward in achieving this goal, paving the way for more targeted and personalized treatments in the future.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What are hUCMSCs and why are they used in this context?

The study focuses on using human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) for stem cell therapy. These cells are chosen due to their ease of access, high proliferative capacity, and low immunogenicity. This means they are relatively easy to obtain, can multiply rapidly, and are less likely to be rejected by the body. The key significance lies in their potential for regenerative medicine, such as treating autoimmune disorders and promoting tissue regeneration.

2

What are multi-modal imaging techniques and why are they important?

Multi-modal imaging techniques combine different imaging modalities to track stem cells in vivo. These methods use a combination of technologies such as fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The primary goal is to create a more comprehensive view of stem cell behavior. By combining these methods, researchers can get a better understanding of where the stem cells go, how long they survive, and how well they integrate with the body, leading to more effective treatments.

3

How are hUCMSCs engineered for multi-modal imaging?

The process involves several key steps. First, hUCMSCs are genetically modified to express the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS). The EGFP allows for fluorescence-based tracking, while hNIS enables imaging with radioactive iodine. Then, the cells are labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles to enable MRI tracking. Finally, the modified hUCMSCs are characterized to ensure that the genetic modifications and labeling do not compromise the cell's therapeutic properties.

4

What is the role of lentiviral transduction in this research?

Lentiviral transduction is a method used to deliver genes into hUCMSCs. A lentiviral vector is used to insert the genes for EGFP and hNIS. Lentiviral vectors are particularly efficient at delivering genes into cells, including stem cells. This ensures stable expression of the desired genes within the hUCMSCs, which is crucial for both the imaging capabilities and the therapeutic potential of the cells.

5

What are SPIO nanoparticles and what is their purpose?

SPIO nanoparticles are used to label hUCMSCs for MRI tracking. These nanoparticles are biocompatible, meaning they are safe for the cells and do not significantly affect their viability or function. By labeling the cells with SPIO, researchers can use MRI to track the distribution of hUCMSCs within a living organism, offering valuable insights into their behavior and therapeutic effectiveness. This method enhances the ability to understand and monitor stem cell behavior within the body.

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