Label-free optical imaging of cell function and collagen structure for cell-based therapies

Cell-based therapies harness functional cells or tissues to mediate healing and treat disease. Assessment of cellular therapeutics requires methods that are non-destructive to ensure therapies remain viable and uncontaminated for use in patients. Optical imaging of endogenous collagen, by second-harmonic generation, and the metabolic coenzymes NADH and FAD, by autofluorescence microscopy, provides tissue structure and cellular information. Here, we review applications of label-free nonlinear optical imaging of cellular metabolism and collagen second-harmonic generation for assessing cell-based therapies. Additionally, we discuss the potential of label -free imaging for quality control of cell-based therapies, as well as the current limitations and potential future directions of label-free imaging technologies.

Automated summary

Cell-based therapies require non-destructive methods for assessment to ensure viability and uncontaminated therapies for patients. Label-free nonlinear optical imaging techniques, such as second-harmonic generation for collagen and autofluorescence microscopy for cellular metabolism, provide valuable information for assessing cell-based therapies. This review discusses the applications and potential of label-free imaging technologies for quality control and outlines current limitations and future directions.