Fig. 3: Both immunogenicity and poor survival contribute to clearing of subcutaneously injected hBM-MSCs in mouse xenotransplantation models.
a Cas9-AAV6-engineered bi-cistronic firefly luciferase+GFP+ hBM-MSCs (Fluc MSCs; 2.5 × 105 cells/injection) were injected into 6-mm cutaneous wound beds of db/db mice on the day of wounding (wounds: n = 6), and subcutaneously in unwounded db/db mice (injections: n = 6) or in NSG mice (n = 10). In vivo luciferase activities were measured over the course of up to 24 days with d-luciferin intraperitoneal injection and IVIS imaging systems. b Representative overlay bioluminescence and still animal images show source and intensities of emitted photons. Representative time series show decreasing luciferase activities of Fluc MSCs in injected mice overtime. c Kaplan–Meier’s plot shows time to complete clearance of luciferase activities from individual injection sites in each subject groups. d Dots and trendlines represent average net flux measured from each injection sites over time normalized to those measured on the day of Fluc MSC injection. Net flux values above baseline are shown. Dots and error bars represent mean value and standard deviation. Trendlines represent best plateau and one-phase decay curve fit of normalized flux. R2, x0, and T1/2 represent goodness of fit, plateau duration, and half-life, respectively. Complete clearance is determined by baseline photon flux measured from un-injected control animals. Luminescence flux from wounds or skin injected with Fluc MSCs was measured over time. Source data are available in the Source data file.
