Early expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor increase the neuronal plasticity of activated endogenous neural stem cells after focal cerebral ischemia

Endogenous neural stem cells become "activated" after neuronal injury, but the activation sequence and fate of endogenous neural stem cells in focal cerebral ischemia model are little known. We evaluated the relationships between neural stem cells and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in a photothromobotic rat stroke model using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. We also evaluated the chronological changes of neural stem cells by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine(BrdU) incorporation. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was initially increased from 1 hour after ischemic injury, followed by vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α immunoreactivity was detected in the ipsilateral cortical neurons of the infarct core and peri-infarct area. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactivity was detected in bilateral cortex, but ipsilateral cortex staining intensity and numbers were greater than the contralateral cortex. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactive cells were easily found along the peri-infarct area 12 hours after focal cerebral ischemia. The expression of nestin increased throughout the microvasculature in the ischemic core and the peri-infarct area in all experimental rats after 24 hours of ischemic injury. Nestin immunoreactivity increased in the subventricular zone during 12 hours to 3 days, and prominently increased in the ipsilateral cortex between 3–7 days. Nestin-labeled cells showed dual differentiation with microvessels near the infarct core and reactive astrocytes in the peri-infarct area. BrdU-labeled cells were increased gradually from day 1 in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and cortex, and numerous BrdU-labeled cells were observed in the peri-infarct area and non-lesioned cortex at 3 days. BrdU-labeled cells rather than neurons, were mainly co-labeled with nestin and GFAP. Early expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor after ischemia made up the microenvironment to increase the neuronal plasticity of activated endogenous neural stem cells. Moreover, neural precursor cells after large-scale cortical injury could be recruited from the cortex nearby infarct core and subventricular zone.     

Transplanted human embryonic neural stem cells survive,migrate, differentiate and increase endogenous nestin expression in adult rat cortical peri‐infarction zone

Transplantation of stem cells is a potential therapeutic strategy for stroke damage. The survival, migration, and differentiation of transplanted human embryonic neural stem cells in the acute post‐ischemic environment were characterized and endogenous nestin expression after transplantation was investigated. Human embryonic neural stem cells obtained from the temporal lobe cortex were cultured and labeled with fluorescent 1,1′‐dioctadecy‐6,6′‐di (4‐sulfopheyl)‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanin (DiI) in vitro. Labeled cells were transplanted into cortical peri‐infarction zones of adult rats 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Survival, migration, and differentiation of grafted cells were quantified in immunofluorescence‐stained sections from rats sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation. Endogenous nestin‐positive cells in the cortical peri‐infarction zone were counted at serial time points. The cells transplanted into the cortical peri‐infarction zone displayed the morphology of living cells and became widely located around the ischemic area. Moreover, some of the transplanted cells expressed nestin, GFAP, or NeuN in the peri‐infarction zone. Furthermore, compared with the control group, endogenous nestin‐positive cells in the peri‐infarction zone had increased significantly 7 days after cell transplantation. These results confirm the survival, migration, and differentiation of transplanted cells in the acute post‐ischemic environment and enhanced endogenous nestin expression within a brief time window. These findings indicate that transplantation of neural stem cells into the peri‐infarction zone may be performed as early as 24 h after ischemia.     

Transplantation of Flk-1+ human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes angiogenesis and neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia in rats

Transplantation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is a potential therapy for cerebral ischemia. Although BMSCs‐induced angiogenesis is considered important for neurological functional recovery, the neurorestorative mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined whether BMSCs‐induced angiogenesis enhances cerebral tissue perfusion and creates a suitable microenvironment within the ischemic brain, which in turn accelerates endogenous neurogenesis and leads to improved functional recovery. Adult female rats subjected to 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were transplanted with a subpopulation of human BMSCs from male donors (Flk‐1+ hBMSCs) or saline into the ipsilateral brain parenchymal at 3 days after MCAO. Flk‐1+ hBMSCs‐treated rats exhibited significant behavioral recovery, beginning at 2 weeks after cerebral ischemia compared with controls. Moreover, rats treated with Flk‐1+ hBMSCs showed increased glucose metabolic activity and reduced infarct volume. Flk‐1+ hBMSCs treatment significantly increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, promoted angiogenesis, and facilitated cerebral blood flow in the ischemic boundary zone. Further, Flk‐1+ hBMSCs treatment enhanced proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in the subventricular zone and subgranular zone of the hippocampus. Finally, more NSPCs migrated toward the ischemic lesion and differentiated to mature neurons or glial cells with less apoptosis in Flk‐1+ hBMSCs‐treated rats. These data indicate that angiogenesis induced by Flk‐1+ hBMSCs promotes endogenous neurogenesis, which may cause functional recovery after cerebral ischemia.     

Human embryonic neural stem cell transplantation increases subventricular zone cell proliferation and promotes peri‐infarct angiogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia

Neurogenesis and angiogenesis are two important processes that may contribute to the repair of brain injury after stroke. This study was designed to investigate whether transplantation of human embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) into cortical peri‐infarction 24 h after ischemia effects cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and angiogenesis in the peri‐infarct zone. NSCs were prepared from embryonic human brains at 8 weeks gestation. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery of adult rats. Animals were randomly divided into two groups (n = 30, each) at 24 h after ischemia: NSC‐grafted and medium‐grafted groups. Toluidine blue staining and 5′‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) or von Willebrand factor (vWF) immunohistochemistry were performed at 7, 14 and 28 days after transplantation. NSC transplantation increased the number of BrdU‐positive cells in the ischemic ipsilateral SVZ compared with the medium control at 7 days (P < 0.01). This difference in SVZ cell proliferation persisted at 14 days (P < 0.01), but was not significant at 28 days (P > 0.05). In addition, angiogenesis, as indicated by BrdU and vWF staining in cortical peri‐infarct regions, was augmented by 46% and 65% in NSC‐grafted rats versus medium‐grafted rats at 7 and 14 days, respectively (P < 0.05). However, this increase became non‐significant at 28 days (P > 0.05). Our results indicate that NSC transplantation enhances endogenous cell proliferation in the SVZ and promotes angiogenesis in the peri‐infarct zone, even if it is performed in the acute phase of ischemic injury.     

Stem cell transplantation for treatment of cerebral ischemia in rats Effects of human umbilical cord blood stem cells and human neural stem cells

BACKGROUND:Exogenous neural stem cell transplantation promotes neural regeneration. However, various types of stem cells transplantation outcomes remain controversial. OBJECTIVE:To explore distribution, proliferation and differentiation of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) and human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSCs) following transplantation in ischemic brain tissue of rats, and to compare therapeutic outcomes between hNSCs and hUCBSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING:Randomized controlled animal studies were performed at the Experimental Animal Center of Nanjing Medical University and Central Laboratory of Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China from September 2008 to April 2009. MATERIALS:hNSCs were harvested from brain tissue of 10-13 week old fetuses following spontaneous abortion, and hUCBSCs were collected from umbilical cord blood of full-term newborns at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China. hNSCs and hUCBSCs were labeled by 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) prior to transplantation. METHODS:Rat models of cerebral ischemia were established by the suture method. A total of 60 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats aged 7-9 weeks were randomly assigned to hNSC transplantation, hUCBSC transplantation and control groups. The rat models in the hNSC transplantation, hUCBSC transplantation and control groups were infused with hNSC suspension, hUCBSC suspension and saline via the caudal vein, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The distribution, proliferation and differentiation of hNSCs and hUCBSCs in ischemic brain tissue were observed using immunohistochemical methods. Neurological function in rats was assessed using the neurological severity score. RESULTS:The number of BrdU-positive cells was significantly greater in the hNSC transplantation group compared with hUCBSC transplantation group at 14 days following transplantation (P < 0.05). The number of BrdU-positive cells reached a peak at 28 days following transplantation. Nestin-positive, glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive, cyclic nucleotide 3' phosphohydrolase-positive and neuron specific enolase-positive cells were visible following transplantation. No significant difference was determined in the constituent ratio of various cells between hNSC and hUCBSC transplantation groups (P > 0.05). The neurological severity score was significantly decreased in rats at 21 days following transplantation (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in neurological severity score between hNSC and hUCBSC transplantation groups at various time points (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:The transplanted hNSCs and hUCBSCs can migrate into ischemic brain tissue, proliferate and differentiate into neuron-like, astrocyte-like and oligodendrocyte-like cells, and improve neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia.     

A ginkgo biloba extract promotes proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in vascular dementia rats

The ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 improves memory loss and cognitive impairments in patients with senile dementia. It also promotes proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone in Parkinson’s disease model mice and in the hippocampal zone of young epileptic rats. However, it remains unclear whether EGb761 enhances proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in the brain of rats with vascular dementia. In this study, a vascular dementia model was established by repeatedly clipping and reperfusing the bilateral common carotid arteries of rats in combination with an intraperitoneal injection of a sodium nitroprusside solution. Seven days after establishing the model, rats were intragastrically given EGb761 at 50 mg/kg per day. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze and proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus were labeled by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine immunofluorescence in all rats at 15 days, and 1, 2, and 4 months after model establishment. The escape latencies in Morris water maze tests of rats with vascular dementia after EGb761 treatment were significantly shorter than the model group. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the number and proliferation of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine-positive cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of the EGb761-treated group were significantly higher than in the model group. These experimental findings suggest that EGb761 enhances proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus, and significantly improves learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia.     

Electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels and transplantation of umbilical cord bloodderived mesenchymal stem cells for treating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury简

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is a novel means of treating cerebral ischemia/reper- fusion, and can promote angiogenesis and neurological functional recovery. Acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels also has positive effects as a treatment for cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion. Therefore, we hypothesized that electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels plus mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may have better therapeutic effects on the promotion of angiogenesis and recovery of neurological function than either treatment alone. In the present study, human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated, cultured, identified and intracranially transplanted into the striatum and subcortex of rats at 24 hours following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Subsequently, rats were electro-acupunctured at Conception and Governor vessels at 24 hours after transplantation. Modified neurological severity scores and immunohistochemistry findings revealed that the combined interventions of electro-acupuncture and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation clearly improved neurological impairment and up-regulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression around the isch- emic focus. The combined intervention provided a better outcome than mesenchymal stem cell transplantation alone. These findings demonstrate that electro-acupuncture at Conception and Governor vessels and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation have synergetic effects on promot- ing neurological function recovery and angiogenesis in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.     

骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞对大鼠局灶性脑缺血神经细胞凋亡及相关蛋白表达的动态影响

目的探讨骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞对大鼠局灶性脑缺血神经细胞凋亡及相关蛋白表达的影响。方法建立大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型。32只健康Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠分为假手术组、缺血对照组、缺血骨髓基质细胞移植组和缺血骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞移植组。分别在移植后7d和14d行脑灌注固定取材,应用免疫组化染色及原位细胞凋亡检测脑组织Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达及凋亡细胞数。结果缺血移植组各时点的凋亡细胞数均少于缺血对照组(P<0.01),缺血移植14d组凋亡细胞数明显少于缺血移植7d组(P<0.01),骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞移植组凋亡细胞明显少于骨髓基质细胞移植组(P<0.05)。缺血移植组Bcl-2表达显著高于缺血对照组(P<0.01)。缺血移植组Bax蛋白表达明显低于缺血对照组(P<0.01)。结论骨髓基质细胞源神经干细胞可能通过上调Bcl-2蛋白表达,下调Bax蛋白表达,对脑缺血再灌注损伤起保护作用。     

脂肪来源神经干细胞移植局灶性脑缺血模型大鼠的血管新生

背景：脂肪组织来源的神经干细胞移植可改善脑缺血大鼠神经功能,但其机制尚不明确。 目的：观察人脂肪组织来源神经干细胞移植对大鼠局灶性脑缺血后血管新生的影响。 方法：体外培养脂肪基质细胞,诱导分化为神经干细胞。60只健康雄性SD大鼠分为4组：正常组6只,假手术组6只,缺血对照组24只,移植治疗组24只。后两组线栓法制作大鼠大脑中动脉缺血2 h再灌注模型,又分为缺血2 h再灌注7,14,21,28 d组,每个时点各6只。假手术组不闭塞大脑中动脉。造模成功后24 h,移植治疗组经尾静脉移植人脂肪组织来源神经干细胞悬液,细胞浓度为2×109 L-1;缺血对照组经尾静脉注射生理盐水。免疫组织化学法进行微血管密度计数,观察脑缺血区血管增生情况。 结果与结论：免疫组织化学结果显示,与缺血对照组比较,移植治疗组缺血2 h再灌注7,14,21,28 d的微血管密度值均显著高于缺血对照组,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05~0.01)。提示脂肪组织来源的神经干细胞移植可促进脑缺血区新生血管的形成。     

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation attenuates axonal injury in stroke rats

Previous studies have shown that transplantation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes neural functional recovery after stroke, but the neurorestorative mechanisms remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that functional recovery of myelinated axons may be one of underlying mechanisms. In this study, an ischemia/reperfusion rat model was established using the middle cerebral artery occlusion method. Rats were used to test the hypothesis that intravenous transplantation of human bone marrow mesenchyrnal stem cells through the femoral vein could exert neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia via a mechanism associated with the ability to attenuate axonal injury. The results of behavioral tests, infarction volume analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that cerebral ischemia caused severe damage to the myelin sheath and axons. After rats were intravenously transplanted with human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the levels of axon and myelin sheath-related proteins, including microtubule-associated protein 2, myelin basic protein, and growth-associated protein 43, were elevated, infarct volume was decreased and neural function was improved in cerebral ischemic rats. These findings suggest that intravenously transplanted human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote neural function. Possible mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects include resistance to demyelination after cerebral ischemia, prevention of axonal degeneration, and promotion of axonal regeneration.     

Adult neural stem and progenitor cells modified to secrete GDNF can protect, migrate and integrate after intracerebral transplantation in rats with transient forebrain ischemia

Adult neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) are important autologous transplantation tools in regenerative medicine, as they can secrete factors that protect the ischemic brain. We investigated whether adult NSPCs genetically modified to secrete more glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) could protect against transient ischemia in rats. NSPCs were harvested from the subventricular zone of adult Wistar rats and cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of epidermal growth factor. The NSPCs were treated with fibre-mutant Arg-Gly-Asp adenovirus containing the GDNF gene (NSPC-GDNF) or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (NSPC-EGFP; control group). In one experiment, cultured cells were transplanted into the right ischemic boundary zone of Wistar rat brains. One week later, animals underwent 90 min of intraluminal right middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural tests. The NSPC-GDNF group had higher behavioural scores and lesser infarct volume than did controls at 1, 7 and 28 days postocclusion. In the second experiment, we transplanted NSPCs 3 h after ischemic insult. Compared to controls, rats receiving NSPC-GDNF had decreased infarct volume and better behavioural assessments at 7 days post-transplant. Animals were killed on day 7 and brains were collected for GDNF ELISA and morphological assessment. Compared to controls, more GDNF was secreted, more NSPC-GDNF cells migrated toward the ischemic core and more NSPC-GDNF cells expressed immature neuronal marker. Moreover, the NSPC-GDNF group showed more effective inhibition of microglial invasion and apoptosis. These findings suggest that NSPC-GDNF may be useful in treatment of cerebral ischemia.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in neonatal rats after ischemic brain injury

A little is known about the proliferation and fate of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) after cerebral ischemia. However, how endogenous neural stem cells are activated in the premature brain is not clear, although basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is important in neurogenesis. To investigate the effect of bFGF on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells after brain ischemia, we observed cellular changes in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of 3-day-old rats (approximately equivalent to premature infants) using immunofluorescence assays, Western blot analysis, and real-time quantitative PCR methods. The bilateral common carotid artery (BCCA) was occluded in 108 animals, then half received bFGF 10ng/g. Besides, 54 rats without ischemia as normal control. Proliferating cells were labeled by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) through intraperitoneal injection in a pulsed or a cumulative protocol. Rats were killed at 4, 7, and 14 days after ischemic injury. The number of proliferating cells in the SVZ in bFGF-treated rats was higher than that in untreated rats; bFGF also promoted neural stem cell differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR assays confirmed these results. We suggest that bFGF promotes the repair of ischemia brain injury through increasing the proliferation of neural stem cells and their differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.     

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment promotes neural stem cell proliferation in the subventricular zone of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage has been used clinically for many years, but its effectiveness remains controversial. In addition, the mechanism of this potential neuroprotective effect remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of hyperbaric oxygen on the proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats (7 days old) subjected to hypoxic-ischemic brain damage. Six hours after modeling, rats were treated with hyperbaric oxygen once daily for 7 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the number of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine positive and nestin positive cells in the subventricular zone of neonatal rats increased at day 3 after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and peaked at day 5. After hyperbaric oxygen treatment, the number of 5-bromo-2′- deoxyuridine positive and nestin positive cells began to increase at day 1, and was significantly higher than that in normal rats and model rats until day 21. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that hyperbaric oxygen treatment could attenuate pathological changes to brain tissue in neonatal rats, and reduce the number of degenerating and necrotic nerve cells. Our experimental findings indicate that hyperbaric oxygen treatment enhances the proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, and has therapeutic potential for promoting neurological recovery following brain injury.     

Response of the sensorimotor cortex of cerebral palsy rats receiving transplantation of vascular endothelial growth factor 165-transfected neural stem cells

Neural stem cells are characterized by the ability to differentiate and stably express exogenous ge- nes. Vascular endothelial growth factor plays a role in protecting local blood vessels and neurons of newborn rats with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Transplantation of vascular endothelial growth factor-transfected neural stem cells may be neuroprotective in rats with cerebral palsy. In this study, 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups： （1） sham operation （control）, （2） cerebral palsy model alone or with （3） phosphate-buffered saline, （4） vascular en- dothelial growth factor 165 ＋ neural stem cells, or （5） neural stem cells alone. The cerebral palsy model was established by ligating the left common carotid artery followed by exposure to hypox- ia. Phosphate-buffered saline, vascular endothelial growth factor ＋ neural stem cells, and neural stem cells alone were administered into the sensorimotor cortex using the stereotaxic instrument and microsyringe. After transplantation, the radial-arm water maze test and holding test were performed. Immunohistochemistry for vascular endothelial growth factor and histology using hematoxylin-eosin were performed on cerebral cortex. Results revealed that the number of vas- cular endothelial growth factor-positive cells in cerebral palsy rats transplanted with vascular endothelial growth factor-transfected neural stem cells was increased, the time for finding water and the finding repetitions were reduced, the holding time was prolonged, and the degree of cell degeneration or necrosis was reduced. These findings indicate that the transplantation of vascu- lar endothelial growth factor-transfected neural stem cells alleviates brain damage and cognitive deficits, and is neuroprotective in neonatal rats with hypoxia ischemic-mediated cerebral palsy.     

神经干细胞移植治疗大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤实验研究

目的探讨大鼠胚胎神经干细胞移植治疗局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤的可行性。方法孕龄8~10d的大鼠神经干细胞在体外扩增后,用免疫组织化学方法分别检测神经干细胞及其分化后代的特异性标志蛋白nestin、胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)的表达。分别于缺血后不同时间窗将神经干细胞移植到局灶性脑缺血大鼠模型的缺血半暗带和梗塞中心,移植4w后比较不同移植部位神经干细胞存活、增殖和迁移的差异。结果从胎鼠中成功培养出悬浮生长的可表达nestin的神经球,其在含血清条件下可分化为表达GFAP的胶质细胞和表达NSE的神经元。神经干细胞移植4w后可见所有移植动物的细胞都存活,梗塞中心移植的细胞存活、增殖水平明显低于半暗带移植的细胞。结论大鼠胚胎神经干细胞移植到局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠梗塞中心和半暗带均可长期存活,其增殖能力与移植部位密切相关。     

ZL006 promotes migration and differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells in male rats after stroke

New strategies must be developed to resolve the problems of stroke treatment. In recent years, stem cell–based therapy after stroke has come into the public and academic lens. Previously we have shown that uncoupling neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) from the postsynaptic density protein‐95 (PSD‐95) by ZL006, a small molecular compound, can ameliorate ischemic damage and promote neuronal differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in focal cerebral ischemic male rats. In this study, we transplanted exogenous NSCs into the ipsilateral hemisphere of male rats in combination with ZL006 treatment after ischemic stroke. We show that ZL006 treatment facilitates the migration of transplanted NSCs into the ischemia‐injured area and promotes neuronal differentiation of these cells, which is not due to a direct effect of ZL006 on exogenous NSCs but is associated with increased phosphorylation of cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB) in neurons and favorable microenvironment. Moreover, improved functional outcome in the ZL006‐treated group was also found. Taken together, our data indicate that ZL006, uncoupling nNOS–PSD‐95 in neurons, positively regulates the fate of transplanted NSCs and benefits the functional outcome after stroke in male rats.     

Focal transient ischemia increases APP-BP1 expression in neural progenitor cells

Amyloid precursor protein binding protein-1 (APP-BP1) binds to the carboxyl terminus of APP. In this study, we explored whether APP-BP1 expression is affected by focal transient cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in Wistar rats. APP-BP1 expression was increased in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and in the subventricular zone of rats exposed to focal transient cerebral ischemia. In addition, APP-BP1 immunoreactivity overlapped with antidoublecortin and anti-5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling. Focal transient cerebral ischemia has been reported earlier to induce neurogenesis in adult brains. The upregulation of APP-BP1 expression in neural progenitor cells after focal transient ischemia suggests that this protein contributes to the neurogenesis induced by transient ischemia and reperfusion.     

Rhesus monkey neural stem cell transplantation promotes neural regeneration in rats with hippocampal lesions

Rhesus monkey neural stem cells are capable of differentiating into neurons and glial cells.Therefore,neural stem cell transplantation can be used to promote functional recovery of the nervous system.Rhesus monkey neural stem cells(1×105 cells/μL) were injected into bilateral hippocampi of rats with hippocampal lesions.Confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that green fluorescent protein-labeled transplanted cells survived and grew well.Transplanted cells were detected at the lesion site,but also in the nerve fiber-rich region of the cerebral cortex and corpus callosum.Some transplanted cells differentiated into neurons and glial cells clustering along the ventricular wall,and integrated into the recipient brain.Behavioral tests revealed that spatial learning and memory ability improved,indicating that rhesus monkey neural stem cells noticeably improve spatial learning and memory abilities in rats with hippocampal lesions.     

人脐血间充质干细胞静脉移植治疗大鼠局灶性脑缺血的实验研究

目的 探讨来源于人脐血的间充质干细胞经静脉移植治疗大鼠局灶性脑缺血的可行性及其机制.方法 将人脐血间充质干细胞在体外纯化、扩增并经BrdU标记后,经尾静脉移植到局灶性脑缺血大鼠体内,通过神经缺损评分观察移植后大鼠神经行为学改善情况,通过组织学方法观察移植到脑内的人脐血间充质干细胞表达脑源性神经营养因子和缺血灶周围微血管密度变化的情况.结果 人脐血间充质干细胞移植组大鼠的神经缺损评分显著低于对照组(P＜0.05);移植到脑内的人脐血间充质干细胞主要选择性分布于缺血灶周围区域并表达脑源性神经营养因子,移植组大鼠梗死灶周围的微血管密度显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).结论 经静脉注射移植人脐血间充质干细胞能明显促进局灶性脑缺血大鼠的神经行为功能恢复,促进缺血灶周边区微血管增生可能是人脐血间充质干细胞移植治疗局灶性脑缺血的机制之一.     

人脂肪组织来源的神经干细胞移植对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响

目的 探讨人脂肪组织来源的神经干细胞移植对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后细胞凋亡及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响.方法 线栓法制作大鼠大脑中动脉缺血2 h再灌注模型.60只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组:正常对照组(6只),假手术组(6只),缺血对照组(24只)和移植治疗组(24只);后2组又分为再灌注7 d、14 d、21 d、28 d组(各6只).体外培养脂肪基质细胞,诱导分化为神经干细胞.造模成功后24h,移植治疗组经尾静脉移植人脂肪组织来源的神经干细胞悬液(细胞浓度为2×106/ml),缺血对照组经尾静脉注射生理盐水,假手术组不做任何处理.TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,免疫组化SABC法检测Bcl-2、Bax表达.结果 与缺血对照组比较,移植治疗组各时间点的细胞凋亡数均明显减少(均P＜0.01),Bcl-2阳性细胞数明显增高(均P＜0.01),Bax阳性细胞数明显减少(P＜0.05～0.01).结论 人脂肪组织来源的神经干细胞可能通过上调Bcl-2蛋白表达、下调Bax蛋白表达,减少局灶性脑缺血细胞凋亡;对脑缺血再灌注损伤后的神经细胞起保护作用.