S-MiRAGE: A quantitative, secreted RNA-based reporter of gene expression and cell persistence

Abstract

Non-destructive measurements of cell persistence and gene expression are crucial for longitudinal research studies and for prognostic assessment of cell therapies. Here we describe S-MiRAGE, a platform that utilizes small secreted RNA molecules as sensitive and quantitatively accurate reporters of cellular processes. We demonstrate the utility of S-MiRAGE by monitoring the differentiation status of human embryonic stem cells in vitro, and tumor growth in a mouse model in vivo.