Figure 4.
Biodistribution of human bone marrow-derived stem cells coexpressing luciferase and green fluorescent protein reporter genes in mice with or without smoke inhalation injury. Human bone marrow-derived stem cells coexpressing luciferase and green fluorescent protein reporter genes (Luc-GFP-hBMSCs) were intravenously injected into NOD/SCID mice and imaged at 1.5, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 24, and 28 h and 5 and 14 d after injection. (a) The Luc-GFP-hBMSCs initially localized to the lung and then migrated to the abdomen by 24 h. Reporter gene expression completely disappeared by 14 d after injection. (b) Quantification of the bioluminescent signal over this time period indicated that a greater number of systemically infused Luc-GFP-hBMSCs localized to the lungs in mice with smoke inhalation injury compared to uninjured mice (n = 6). ∗∗ indicates P < 0.01 compared with the uninjured control group treated with Luc-GFP-hBMSCs.