Imaging Fate of Stem Cells at a Cellular Resolution in the Brains of Mice

Transplantation of genetically engineered cells into the central nervous system (CNS) offers immense potential for the treatment of several neurological disorders. Monitoring expression levels of transgenes and following changes in cell function and distribution over time is critical in assessing therapeutic efficacy of such cells in vivo. We detail a unique method to visualize the fate of human neural stem cells (NSC) and tumor cells at a cellular resolution in glioma bearing brains in vivo by using intravital-scanning microscopy in real-time. The ability to monitor fate of stem cells in disease models enables studies aimed at evaluating the efficacy of their treatment for CNS disorders.