Figure 5.

Ex vivo optical imaging study. A–B) Representative NIR fluorescent images in explanted organs 1 or 7 days after labeled MSCs were implanted into rats by means of intravenous or intramyocardial delivery 1 day after coronary artery ligation. C) Quantitative analysis of NIR fluorescent signals in explanted hearts and lungs among the two cell transplanted groups, indicating that cell delivery by direct IM injection resulted in a 3–10-fold higher fluorescent signal than IV infusion in explanted hearts from day 1 to day 7. In contrast, compared with the IM group, NIR fluorescent signals exist in lungs from the IV group during 1 week post cell delivery. (A: One day after cell delivery. B: Seven days after cell delivery).

Abbreviations: NIR, near-infrared; H, heart; L, lung; C, control group; IV, intravenous group; IM, intramyocardial group.