Tissue distribution and engraftment of human mesenchymal stem cells immortalized by human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 May 13;330(3):633-40. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.03.072.

Abstract

Engraftment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in peripheral tissues for replenishing of local stem cell function has been proposed as a therapeutic approach to degenerative diseases. We have previously reported the development of an immortalized human telomerase reverse transcriptase transduced MSC line (hMSC-TERT). In the present study, we co-transduced hMSC-TERT with enhanced green fluorescent protein gene, and studied tissue distribution, engraftment, and cell survival after intracardiac and intravenous injections in immunodeficient mice. The pattern of organ distribution suggested that infused cells were efficiently arrested in microvasculature during first-pass, but only for a fraction of the infused cells was arrest followed by vascular emigration and tissue engraftment. Few engrafted cells in lungs, heart, and kidney glomeruli remained after 4 weeks. These observations are consistent with several reports on limited systemic transplantability of primary MSC. HMSC-TERT may constitute a valuable tool for mechanistic studies on how to control MSC homing and engraftment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Organ Specificity
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Telomerase* / genetics*
  • Telomerase* / metabolism*
  • Transduction, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • TERT protein, human
  • Telomerase
  • Tert protein, mouse