Imaging in Stem Cell Transplant and Cell-based Therapy

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Chapter 8

Cardiac Imaging and Stem Cell

Transplantation

Sameer Raina, Tarun Pandey, and Jawahar L. Mehta

8.1 Stem Cell Therapy and Homing

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic stromal cells that can be
isolated from other cells in marrow by their tendency to adhere to tissue culture
plastic. The cells have many of the characteristics of stem cells for tissues that can
roughly be defined as mesenchymal, because they can be differentiated in culture
into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and even myoblasts [ 1 ]. MSCs are rare
in bone marrow, representing ∼1 in 10,000 nucleated cells with the ability to expand
manifold in culture while retaining their growth and multi-lineage potential. The
presence of non-hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow was first suggested by the
observations of the German pathologist Cohnheim 130 years ago raising the possi-
bility that bone marrow may be the source of fibroblasts that deposit collagen fibers
as part of the normal process of wound repair [ 2 ].
His observations were extended by other groups, which later established that these
cells were multipotent [ 3 , 4 ]. MSCs and MSC-like cells have now been isolated from
various sites other than the bone marrow, including adipose tissue, amniotic fluid,
periosteum, and fetal tissues, and show phenotypic heterogeneity [ 5 – 8 ]. The in vitro
characteristics of MSCs are identified by the expression of many molecules including
CD105 (SH2) and CD73 (SH3/4) and are negative for the hematopoietic markers

S. Raina, M.D., F.A.C.C. (*) • J.L. Mehta, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Cardiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham
St, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
e-mail: [email protected]

T. Pandey, M.D., F.R.C.R.
Department of Cardiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham
St, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
T. Pandey (ed.), Imaging in Stem Cell Transplant and Cell-based Therapy,
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-51833-6_8