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In vivo bioluminescent imaging of Schwann cells in a poly( DL ‐lactide‐ε‐caprolactone) nerve guide
Author(s) -
Ma MingSan,
Van Dam Gooitzen,
Meek Marcel,
Boddeke Erik,
Copray Sjef
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21372
Subject(s) - bioluminescence , in vivo , ex vivo , bioluminescence imaging , luciferase , schwann cell , sciatic nerve , anatomy , regeneration (biology) , immunocytochemistry , transfection , medicine , pathology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , gene
Nerve guides seeded with Schwann cells (SCs) promote axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve lesions. We examined the applicability of bioluminescent imaging (BLI) for monitoring the fate of SCs in nerve guides after implantation. Rat SCs were transfected with the firefly luciferase (Fluc) gene and subsequently seeded in nerve guides, which were implanted subcutaneously in rats. In vivo bioluminescence of transfected SCs (Fluc‐SCs) was assessed with a BLI system. Scans were validated ex vivo using immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. We found that BLI enables longitudinal in vivo monitoring of Fluc‐SCs, given that proper access of luciferin to the cells is assured. Muscle Nerve, 2009