In vivo Fluorescence Imaging of Immune Cells

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Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective therapy for several types of hematologic malignancies and solid cancers. The donor hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells reconstitute hematopoietic and immune systems in HSCT recipients. In the process, complicated interactions occur between recipient and donor cells, and result in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and a graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect. Therefore, an analysis of in vivo dynamics of donor cells is important for exploring the mechanisms of donor cell engraftment and the pathophysiology of GVHD and the GVT effect. An in vivo fluorescent imaging system with enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-transgenic mice enables visualization of the in vivo behavior of donor cells. We are developing novel imaging techniques to track live donor cells after allogeneic HSCT and cell therapy.