The First Experience of Stem Cell Labeling in Iran Using 111In- Oxine

The field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine is rapidly moving toward translation to clinical practice. Stem cell therapy seems to be a new treatment option for some diseases. So, tracking the distribution of stem cells is crucial to their therapeutic use. Based on this fact we labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with 111In- oxine for the first time in our country. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of stem cell labeling in Iran. In addition the researchers assessed the cell viability, specific activity and labeling efficiency after labeling. After culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), for radio-labeling, the sample (which contained 1×106MSCs) were mixed, and suspended with 50 µCi 111In-oxine, and then incubated for 20 min at the room temperature. The cells were then washed with normal saline twice to remove the free 111In. The labeling efficiency, specific activity and cell viability was 70.6%, 31.70 µCi/106 and 100%, respectively. It seems that, this method is practical and easily applicable with acceptable efficiency and specific activity in our laboratory settings using pharmaceutical produced in Iran.