Gold Nanoparticles for Multimodal High-Resolution Imaging of Transplanted Cells for Retinal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Longitudinal tracking of transplanted cells in clinical and experimental setups is crucial for evaluating the efficiency of retinal cell replacement therapies. <b>Materials & methods:</b> Gold nanoparticle-labeled photoreceptor precursors were transplanted in the vitreous and subretinal space of rats and were longitudinally tracked for over a month using optical coherence tomography, computed tomography and fluorescence fundus imaging. <b>Results:</b> This multimodal imaging approach enabled high-resolution long-term tracking and estimation of cell survival in the retina and vitreous, while displaying no toxic effects on the cells or the retina. <b>Conclusion:</b> These observations highlight the applicability of using gold nanoparticle for retinal cell tracking in existing experimental settings and its translational potential for providing more efficient retinal cell therapy in humans.