In Vivo Imaging Of Neural Stem Cells Transplantation In Parkinson's Disease By Positron Emission Tomography

[PURPOSE] To track transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) in Parkinson's disease rat model in vivo, using positron emission tomography (PET) to monitor NSCs distribution, survival, differentiation, function and therapeutic efficacy. To establish the methods for monitoring the stem cells therapy with visualized, in vivo ways, to explore the rules, conditions, quantities control and affect factors of stem cells' differentiation and to consummate evaluation standards in stem cells therapy for the clinic.[METHODS] Human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were isolated from human aborted fetal eyes. RPE cells were characterized by the methods of flow cytometry, G-banding chromosome analysis, In vitro differenatiaton, RT-PCR and Immunofluorsence.Establishing PD rat model, and the rats were divided into two groups which are therapy group and control group. Transplanting RPE cells into the rat's striatum using stereotaxis technique in therapy group, and injecting normal sodium to control group.Evaluating the RPE cells' differentiation and therapeutic efficacy based on improvement of rat's rotation behavior and TH immunohistochemistry.Selecting dopamine D₂ receptor, DAT as the marker of RPE cells and ¹¹C-Raclopride, ¹¹C-β-CFT as the radiotracer, respectively. Imaging two groups with ¹¹C-Raclopride,¹¹C-β-CFT and analyzing the results with visual and ROI methods.[RESULTS] RPE cells have the characteristics of neural stem cell and can be induced differentiating to DA neurons.The results of rotation 1-4 weeks pretransplantation and 1⁸ weeks post transplantation: 296 ± 82 turns/30min pretransplantation decrease to 212±102 turns/30min(p=0.0008)post transplantation in the therapy group, 299 ± 72 change...