Figure 1.

Distribution of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in Lewis rats previously injected intraarticularly (i.a.) with porcine articular chondrocytes (PAC). Bioluminescence imaging was performed in an IVIS Lumina XR using Living Image 4.3.1 software. Pictures were taken with 1-min exposure to ensure detection. (A) Mesenchymal stem cells expressing firefly luciferase (LUC-MSC), genetically modified to express luciferase, and negative controls were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline with firefly D-luciferin for function confirmation. (B) Follow-up of biodistribution of LUC-MSC using different injection routes as indicated. Control rats injected with LUC-MSC i.a. did not receive PAC, the remaining animals were injected i.a. with PAC 2.5 weeks before MSC injection (Figure S1A in Supplementary Material).