Abstract
Background aims
Cell transplants offer a new opportunity to deliver therapies with novel and complex
mechanisms of action. Understanding the pharmacology of cell transplants is important
to deliver this new therapy effectively. Currently, however, there are limited techniques
to easily track cells after intravenous administration due to the dispersion of the
graft throughout the entire body.
Methods
We herein developed an engineered cell system that secretes a luciferase enzyme to
sensitively detect cell transplants independent of their locale by a simple blood
test. We specifically studied a unique feature of cell transplant pharmacology—namely,
immune clearance—using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a proof-of-concept cell
therapy. MSCs are a clinically relevant cell therapy that has been explored in several
disease indications due to their innate properties of altering an immune response.
Results
Using this engineered reporter, we observed specific sensitivity of cell therapy exposure
to the preparation of cells, cytolysis of MSCs in an allogeneic setting and a NK cell-mediated
destruction of MSCs in an autologous setting.
Conclusions
Our cellular tracking method has broader implications at large for assessing in vivo kinetics of various other cell therapies.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 13, 2017
Accepted:
August 3,
2017
Received:
May 19,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
