Study on homing of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplanted by three routes in rat acute renal obstruction model

Objective To evaluate and compare the homing of MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells)transplanted through three routes: renal artery, tail vein and subcapsular. Methods It used an animal model of reversible unilateral ureteral obstruction (R-UUO) to simulate clinical acute renal obstruction. Thirty SPF femal SD rats (4w) were divided into three groups. Every group contained 5 rats at each time point; MSCs labeled with 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3', 3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide (DiR) were transplanted into thereversible unilateral ureteral obstruction (R-UUO) animals through three routes: renal artery, tail vein and subcapsular. Homing of MSCs was evaluated by in vivo imaging system (IVIS). Results The homing efficiency of the three delivery routes is: renal artery (9.59×105±5.26×105) cells/g, subcapsular (17.65×105±4.77×105) cells/g, tail vein (2.18×105±0.45×105) cells/g. It was significantly different at the early stage (P<0.05). Conclusion The homing efficiency of MSCs transplanted through the three routes is: subcapsular, renal artery, tail vein, from high to low. Although the transplantation efficiency of the three delivery routes was the same as the results of MSCs homing efficiency, it need to choose a reasonable route according to actual condition in practical application. Key words: Mesenchymal stem cells; Reversible unilateral ureteral obstruction; In vivo imaging system; Delivery route; Homing