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The potential of biophotonic techniques in stem cell tracking and monitoring of tissue regeneration applied to cardiac stem cell therapy
Author(s) -
Wilson Brian C.,
Vitkin I. Alex,
Matthews Dennis L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of biophotonics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1864-0648
pISSN - 1864-063X
DOI - 10.1002/jbio.200910079
Subject(s) - stem cell , regenerative medicine , stem cell therapy , regeneration (biology) , medicine , tissue engineering , cardiology , neuroscience , clinical trial , biomedical engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
The use of injected stem cells, leading to regeneration of ischemic heart tissue, for example, following coronary artery occlusion, has emerged as a major new option for managing ‘heart attack’ patients. While some clinical trials have been encouraging, there have also been failures and there is little understanding of the multiplicity of factors that lead to the outcome. In this overview paper, the opportunities and challenges in applying biophotonic techniques to regenerative medicine, exemplified by the challenge of stem cell therapy of ischemic heart disease, are considered. The focus is on optical imaging to track stem cell distribution and fate, and optical spectroscopies and/or imaging to monitor the structural remodeling of the tissue and the resulting functional changes. The scientific, technological, and logistics issues involved in moving some of these techniques from pre‐clinical research mode ultimately into the clinic are also highlighted. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)