"The mechanism through which MSCs achieve these remarkable effects remains elusive," said Dr. Iacovitti. "It is possible that activated glia cells (nonneuronal cells that perform a number of tasks in the brain) may play some role in the response, perhaps by partitioning off the infarcted region and limiting the spread of ischemic brain damage without inducing scar formation."
The researchers concluded that there was "little doubt" that the administration of stem cells can modify the cellular and molecular landscape of the brain and blood, limiting damage and protecting the stroke-injured brain.
Contact: Dr. Lorraine Iacovitti, Farber Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, 900
Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Tel: (215) 955-8118
Email: Lorraine.iacovitti@jefferson.edu
Citation : Yang, M.; Wei, X.; Li, J.; Heinel, L. A.; Rosenwasser, R.; Iacovitti, L. Changes in Host Blood Factors and Brain Glia Accompanying the Functional Recovery after Systemic Administration of Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Ischemic Stroke Rats. Cell Transplant. 19(9):1073-1084; 2010
Injectable VEGF produces near complete neurological protection
A research team from InCytu, Inc. administered VEGF, a potent growth factor, via a sustained release hydrogel to examine the potential neuroprotective benefits in rats with simulated stroke.
"Although VEGF appears promising in animal models of stroke, its use has been hampered by a short half-life and poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier," said lead author Dr. Dwaine Emerich. "Our study was the first to demonstrate that implants of a sustained release hydrogel system could deliver VEGF directly to the site of infarction to prevent anatomical and behavioral consequences of transient cerebral ischemia."
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