Multi-labeled material for in vivo cell tracking

描述（由申请人提供）：细胞疗法在治疗多种疾病方面正迅速获得认可。需要开发非放射性跟踪体内治疗细胞的标记材料，以测量其递送效果、生物分布和有效剂量。这种新材料被命名为“体内检测技术”（IVST）。IVST是一种单一的示踪材料，可以通过多种测量技术进行检测，并且可以很容易地在体外被细胞群吸收。对IVST测量潜在有用的分析技术包括用于定量的中子活化分析，以及用于成像的光学荧光、x射线荧光、电子显微镜和磁共振。由于每种技术在跟踪和定量体内细胞方面为研究人员提供了独特的优势，因此该项目的主要目的是开发和测试可以通过所有这些技术检测和/或测量的材料。在第一阶段，将对材料进行测试，以优化中子活化分析和至少两种成像技术。该提案的第二阶段部分将专注于跟踪动物模型中的标记细胞，以证明所有测量都可以用新开发的IVST材料进行，并开发各种涂层，这些涂层可以针对特定细胞类型靶向IVST材料，或者优化为所有细胞吸收。IVST最初将被科学家用于确定在临床前研究期间移植的细胞（如干细胞）的数量和位置。IVST将允许研究人员对以前不容易实现的细胞疗法进行分析。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cell-based therapies are rapidly gaining acceptance for use in treating a variety of diseases. The development of labeled materials to non-radioactively track therapeutic cells in vivo is needed to measure the efficacy of delivery, bio-distribution and effective dose. This new material(s) is designated "In Vivo Survey Technology" (IVST). IVST is a single tracer material designed to be assayed by a number of measurement technologies and designed to be readily taken up by cell populations in vitro. Assay technologies potentially useful for IVST measurements include neutron activation analysis for quantification, and optical fluorescence, x-ray fluorescence, electron microscopy and magnetic resonance for imaging. Since each technology offers distinct advantages to the researcher in tracking and quantifying cells in vivo, this project's major aim is to develop and test materials that can be detected and/or measured by all these technologies. In Phase I, materials will be tested to optimize for neutron activation analysis and at least two imaging technologies. The Phase II portion of this proposal will focus on tracking labeled cells in animal models to prove that all measurements can be performed with the newly developed IVST material(s) and to develop a variety of coatings that can either target IVST materials to specific cell types or be optimized for uptake into all cells. IVST will be used initially by scientists to determine the quantity and location of cells, such as stem cells, transplanted during pre-clinical research. IVST will allow researchers to conduct analyses on cell therapy not readily feasible previously.