Figure 6.

Biodistribution of Transplanted AdMSCs in an In Vivo Cutaneous Wound Model

(A) XenoLight DiR-labeled AdMSCs were transplanted via tail veins into SCID mice the day after cutaneous incision. Images show bioluminescence activity in representative animals before and after (5 hr, days 4 and 8) cell transplantation. Black boxes delimit cutaneous incisions area. (B) Fluorescence in the wound area was quantified over an 8-day period. Values were normalized to the fluorescence in the wound area at day 0. The maximal fluorescence intensity was detected at day 4. (C) Quantification of the relative fluorescence in the wound area at day 4. Values were normalized to the fluorescence in the wound area at day 0. D-AdMSCs showed reduced invasion into the wound area, and this defect was rescued by PDGF stimulation. (D) Detailed analysis of the bioluminescence activity in the wound area at day 4. H&E staining of the wound tissue revealed a thickened epidermis (e, dark layer) over the dermis (d, light layer), as a result of post-wounding events. Immunohistochemistry against Ki67 (green) revealed proliferating cells (arrows) at the wound site. Immunohistochemistry against human nuclei (hNuclei; red) revealed the presence of AdMSCs (arrows) at the wound site. Cell nuclei were stained with Hoechst dye (blue). Scale bars: 100 μm (H&E) and 20 μm (immunohistochemistry [IHC]) in (D). Data are represented as mean ± SEM. #p < 0.05 compared to C-AdMSCs, **p < 0.01 compared to D-AdMSCs (two-tailed t test).