NMR in Metabolic Profiles of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells: Current Status and Relevant Problems

Remarkable prospect has been demonstrated because of the efficacy of cellular transplant therapies based on neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) for some central nervous system (CNS) diseases. To develop this promising therapy, some important issues need to be resolved. The critical link is to develop a noninvasive technique that is able to monitor physiological state, namely the metabolic variations of the NS/PCs after operation. The magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) will be capable of meeting this requirement, rather than other relevant techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), position emission tomography (PET). After understanding the features about metabolic profiles of NS/PCs, it will be available to trace them in alive organism. To date, some studies about metabolic characteristics of the NS/PCs have been reported. The Myo-inositol and Phosphocholine are both enriched in NS/PCs spectrum, and the 1.28 parts per million (ppm) biomarker is probably their specific resonance. These discoveries caused a tremendous commotion in the scientific field, however, some concerns with doubt were also reported. Therefore, more evidences and studies will be needed. Acquiring the metabolic profiles of NS/PCs has great significance, not only for assessing the efficacy of cellular transplant therapies, may be, but also for understanding the origin of the brain tumors.