e0009 Multimodality molecular imaging of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells with VEGF in hindlimb ischaemia mice

Background Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is highly prevalent and particularly in elders, smokers, diabetics or patients with systemic atherosclerosis. Apart from the surgery and medication, stem cell transplantation offers promising approaches for therapeutic angiogenesis and tissue repair. In this study we try to use in vivo multimodality molecular imaging strategies to investigate adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) survival, function and relative mechanism. Method MSCs were cultured from murine adipose tissue from transgenic mice, which carried double reporter genes: firefly luciferase (Fluc) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), by collagenase digestion method. Hindlimb ischaemia animal model was created in male nude mice by ligating the proximal and distal femoral artery. MSCs (1×10 5 ) along with/without VEGF (0.4 ng) were transplanted into ischaemic hindlimb. The animals were subjected to be imaged by bioluminescence imaging and CT scan. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) were used to show the spatiotemporal images of peripheral tissue blood perfusion. Micro-CT, histological and molecular analysis were tested to confirm the cells9 location and angiogenesis anatomically and mechanically. Result The colour-coded index of LDPI was significantly higher in the MSCs-transplanted group than that in the control group from day 3 to 28 post cell transplantation. On day 3 after transplantation, the bioluminescence signals in MSCs with VEGF group were 4.6×10 6 ±2.5×10 5  photons/s/cm 2 /sr, while in MSCs group were 2.8×10 6 ±3.1×10 5  photons/s/cm 2 /sr, respectively (p Conclusion Bioluminescence fusion with CT scan provides higher detailed 3D imaging for monitoring MSCs in vivo. Angiogenesis activator VEGF might promote MSCs9 beneficial function for hindlimb ischaemia therapy.