Human bone marrow stromal cell cultures conditioned by traumatic brain tissue extracts: growth factor production

Treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) improves functional outcome in the rat. However, the specific mechanisms by which introduced MSCs provide benefit remain to be elucidated. Currently, the ability of therapeutically transplanted MSCs to replace injured parenchymal CNS tissue appears limited at best. Tissue replacement, however, is not the only possible compensatory avenue in cell transplantation therapy. Various growth factors have been shown to mediate the repair and replacement of damaged tissue, so trophic support provided by transplanted MSCs may play a role in the treatment of damaged tissue. We therefore investigated the temporal profile of various growth factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), within cultures of human MSCs (hMSCs) conditioned with cerebral tissue extract from TBI. hMSCs were cultured with TBI extracts of rat brain in vitro and quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed. TBI-conditioned hMSCs cultures demonstrated a time-dependent increase of BDNF, NGF, VEGF, and HGF, indicating a responsive production of these growth factors by the hMSCs. The ELISA data suggest that transplanted hMSCs may provide therapeutic benefit via a responsive secretion of an array of growth factors that can foster neuroprotection and angiogenesis.     

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation modulates neuroinflammation in focal cerebral ischemia: contribution of fractalkine and IL-5

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are reported to possess immunomodulatory properties. Previous reports have demonstrated the beneficial effects of MSC-transplantation in focal cerebral ischemia animal models. In this study, we have investigated the neuroimmunomodulatory functions of human MSCs, transplanted in a rat focal ischemia model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Our results revealed that in a human mesenchymal stem cell line, B10 cell transplantation decreased the accumulation of Iba-1(+) microglia and GFAP(+) astrocytes, and inhibited proinflammatory gene expression in the core and ischemic border zone (IBZ). Among the proinflammatory genes iNOS, which was expressed in microglia/macrophage, was persistently inhibited up to 7days after MCAO. In vivo laser capture microdissection and double immunofluorescence staining, and in vitro B10 cell culture experiments showed that, in inflammatory conditions, B10 cells expressed cytokines and growth factors including IL-5, fractalkine, IGF-1, GDNF and VEGF. Fractalkine and IL-5 inhibited cytokine-induced proinflammatory gene expression including iNOS in a human microglia cell line. Thus, our results demonstrate that MSC transplantation suppresses MCAO focal ischemia-induced inflammation, possibly through expression of fractalkine and IL-5.     

Novel therapeutic strategy for stroke in rats by bone marrow stromal cells and ex vivo HGF gene transfer with HSV-1 vector.

Occlusive cerebrovascular disease leads to brain ischemia that causes neurological deficits. Here we introduce a new strategy combining mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and ex vivo hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene transferring with a multimutated herpes simplex virus type-1 vector in a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Gene-transferred MSCs were intracerebrally transplanted into the rats' ischemic brains at 2 h (superacute) or 24 h (acute) after MCAO. Behavioral tests showed significant improvement of neurological deficits in the HGF-transferred MSCs (MSC-HGF)-treated group compared with the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated and MSCs-only-treated group. The significant difference of infarction areas on day 3 was detected only between the MSC-HGF group and the PBS group with the superacute treatment, but was detected among each group on day 14 with both transplantations. After the superacute transplantation, we detected abundant expression of HGF protein in the ischemic brain of the MSC-HGF group compared with others on day 1 after treatment, and it was maintained for at least 2 weeks. Furthermore, we determined that the increased expression of HGF was derived from the transferred HGF gene in gene-modified MSCs. The percentage of apoptosis-positive cells in the ischemic boundary zone (IBZ) was significantly decreased, while that of remaining neurons in the cortex of the IBZ was significantly increased in the MSC-HGF group compared with others. The present study shows that combined therapy is more therapeutically efficient than MSC cell therapy alone, and it may extend the therapeutic time window from superacute to acute phase.     

Intravenous bone marrow stromal cell therapy reduces apoptosis and promotes endogenous cell proliferation after stroke in female rat

The present study investigates the induction of neurogenesis, reduction of apoptosis, and promotion of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression as possible mechanisms by which treatment of stroke with bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) improves neurological functional recovery. Additionally, for the first time, we treated cerebral ischemia in female rats with intraveneous administration of MSCs. Female rats were subjected to 2 hr of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), followed by an injection of 3 x 10(6) male (for Y chromosome labeling) rat MSCs or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) into the tail vein 24 hr after MCAo. All animals received daily injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; 50 mg/kg, i.p.) for 13 days after treatment for identification of newly synthesized DNA. Animals were sacrificed at 14 days after MCAo. Behavioral tests (rotarod and adhesive-removal tests) were performed. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) were performed to identify transplanted MSCs (Y chromosome), BrdU, bFGF, and apoptotic cells in the brain. Significant recovery of behavior was found in MSC-treated rats at 7 days in the somatosensory test and at 14 days in the motor test after MCAo compared with control, PBS-treated animals (P<.05). MSCs were found to survive and preferentially localize to the ipsilateral ischemic hemisphere. Significantly more BrdU-positive cells were located in the subventricular zone (P<.05), and significantly fewer apoptotic cells and more bFGF immunoreactive cell were found in the ischemic boundary area (P<.05) of MSC-treated rats than in PBS-treated animals. Here we demonstrate that intravenously administered male MSCs increase bFGF expression, reduce apoptosis, promote endogenous cellular proliferation, and improve functional recovery after stroke in female rats.     

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.     

骨髓基质细胞立体定向移植治疗大鼠脑缺血损伤的实验研究

目的:观察骨髓基质细胞立体定向移植对大鼠脑缺血损伤后神经功能恢复的作用并探讨其作用机制。方法:制作SD大鼠大脑中动脉缺血模型(MCAO);体外培养骨髓基质细胞,观察其生物学特性以及立体定向移植后对脑缺血损伤后神经功能改善情况。结果:骨髓基质细胞体外可以长期传代、扩增,分泌NGF、VEGF等多种神经保护性因子;立体定向移植后,骨髓基质细胞在脑内存活、迁徙,小部分分化成具有神经元表面标志的细胞,与对照组相比,骨髓基质细胞移植组神经功能改善情况好于对照组。结论:骨髓基质细胞具有多向分化潜能,表达并分泌多种神经保护性营养因子。立体定向移植MSCs,对改善脑缺血损伤后的神经功能状况具有积极作用。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对脑缺血大鼠突触可塑性影响的实验研究

目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）移植对脑缺血大鼠神经功能恢复及突触可塑性的影响。方法：采用大鼠大脑中动脉缺血模型，分为假手术组、模型组、PBS组和MSCs组，研究脑缺血24h后移植MSCs的大鼠神经功能缺损评分（NSS）；分别测定梗死灶周围脑组织突触素（SYN）和脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）mRNA的表达；电镜及免疫电镜下观察突触结构的变化。结果：与模型组及PBS组大鼠相比，MSCs组的NSS评分较低，SYN及BDNF mRNA的表达则明显较高；电镜检查示MSCs组大鼠突触界面曲率较大，突触后致密物质的厚度增加，突触间隙宽度变窄，突触活性带长度增加；免疫电镜示BrdU阳性细胞和宿主脑神经元形成非成熟的突触样结构。结论：MSCs移植可能通过神经营养效应调节脑缺血周围神经细胞的可塑性改善脑缺血大鼠的神经功能。     

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.     

大鼠脑出血模型应用骨髓间质干细胞治疗的实验研究

目的 :研究骨髓间质干细胞 (MSCs)移植对脑出血大鼠的治疗效果及机制。方法 :分离MSCs后进行培养、扩增 ,并用流式细胞仪进行荧光三标检测鉴定 ,将标记后的MSCs通过颈动脉、颈静脉、侧脑室 3种途径移植入脑出血大鼠体内 ,用爬行计分法观察大鼠神经功能的改善程度 ,免疫组化法观察在脑内的迁移及分化。结果 :MSCs增殖明显 ,经流式细胞仪检测显示CD90、CD10 6阳性、CD45阴性 ,通过侧脑室、颈动脉移植后大鼠神经功能改善明显 ,移植的MSCs主要迁移到海马区、出血灶等处 ,且分化为神经细胞。结论 :MSCs移植治疗脑出血具有较好的疗效 ,可能分化为神经细胞是其主要机制之一。     

Human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells improve functional recovery through thrombospondin1, pantraxin3, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the ischemic rat brain

Cell therapy is a potential therapeutic method for cerebral ischemia, which remains a serious problem. In the search for more effective therapeutic methods, many kinds of stem cells from various tissues have been developed and tested as candidate therapeutic agents. Among them, human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used for cell therapy because of their genetic flexibility. To confirm that they are effective and understand how they affect ischemic neural cells, hUCB‐MSCs were directly administered ipsilaterally into an ischemic zone induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). We found that the neurobehavioral performance of the hUCB‐MSC group was significantly improved compared with that of the vehicle‐injected control group. The infarct was also remarkably smaller in the hUCB‐MSC group. Additionally, hUCB‐MSC transplantation resulted in a greater number of newly generated cells and angiogenic and tissue repair factors and a lower number of inflammatory events in the penumbra zone. To determine why these events occurred, hUCB‐MSCs were assayed under hypoxic and normoxic conditions in vitro. The results showed that hUCB‐MSCs exhibit higher expression levels of thrombospondin1, pantraxin3, and vascular endothelial growth factor under hypoxic conditions than under normoxic conditions. These results were found to be correlated with our in vivo immunofluorescent staining results. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that hUCB‐MSCs may have a beneficial effect on cerebral ischemia, especially through angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and anti‐inflammatory effects, and thus could be used as a therapeutic agent to treat neurological disorders such as cerebral ischemia. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

转染肝细胞生长因子基因的骨髓间质细胞治疗大鼠缺血性脑卒中的效果观察

目的探讨转染肝细胞生长因子（HGF）基因的骨髓间质细胞（MSCs）治疗大鼠缺血性脑卒中的效果。方法应用I型单纯疱疹病毒（HSV-1）载体经体外将HGF基因转染MSCs。制备鼠一过性大脑中动脉缺血模型,24 h后通过立体定向技术,分别将磷盐溶液（PBS）、转染MSCs和HGF基因的MSCs（MSC-HGF）移植入大鼠缺血脑组织。应用改良神经功能损伤严重性（mNSS）评分评价检测神经功能,应用2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑染色法测量缺血脑组织容积。结果相同病毒感染滴度下,MSCs细胞培养上清液HGF浓度是MSCs细胞内的15倍,而且随感染滴度升高而显著增高（P〈0.05）。治疗前各组大鼠mNSS评分无显著差异（P〉0.05）,治疗后4、7、14、21、28、35 d,MSC-HGF组较PBS组显著降低（P〈0.05）;治疗后14、21、28、35 d,MSC-HGF组较MSC组显著下降（P〈0.05）;治疗后14、21、28、35 d,MSC组较PBS组显著降低（P〈0.05）。治疗后3 d,MSC-HGF组缺血脑组织容积较PBS组显著减少（P〈0.05）,PBS组和MSC组、MSC组和MSC-HGF组之间均无显著差异（P〉0.05）;治疗后14 d,MSC-HGF组缺血脑组织容积较PBS组和MSC均显著减小（P〈0.05）,MSC组较PBS组也显著减少（P〈0.05）。结论 HGF基因经HSV-1载体体外转染MSCs可高效分泌HGF,转染HGF基因的MSCs治疗急性缺血性脑卒中有效,且较单纯MSCs治疗显著提高疗效。     

Ischemic rat brain extracts induce human marrow stromal cell growth factor production

Intravenous administration of human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats provides functional benefit. We tested the hypothesis that these functional benefits are derived in part from hMSC production of growth and trophic factors. Quantitative sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of hMSCs cultured with normal and MCAo brain extracts were performed. hMSCs cultured in supernatant derived from ischemic brain extracts increased production of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). These neurotrophins and angiogenic growth factors increased in a post‐ischemia time‐dependent manner. The hMSC capacity to increase expression of growth and trophic factors may be the key to the benefit provided by transplanted hMSCs in the ischemic brain.     

Human bone marrow stem cells exhibit neural phenotypes and ameliorate neurological deficits after grafting into the ischemic brain of rats

There is now evidence to suggest that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) not only differentiate into mesodermal cells, but can also adopt the fate of endodermal and ectodermal cell types. In this study, we addressed the hypotheses that human MSCs can differentiate into neural cells when implanted in the brain and restore sensorimotor function after experimental stroke. Purified human MSCs were grafted into the cortex surrounding the area of infarction 1 week after cortical brain ischemia in rats. Two and 6 weeks after transplantation animals were assessed for sensorimotor function and then sacrificed for histological examination. Ischemic rats that received human MSCs exhibited significantly improved functional performance in limb placement test. Histological analyses revealed that transplanted human MSCs expressed markers for astrocytes (GFAP(+)), oligodendroglia (GalC(+)), and neurons (beta III(+), NF160(+), NF200(+), hNSE(+), and hNF70(+)). The morphological features of the grafted cells, however, were spherical in nature with few processes. Therefore, it is unlikely that the functional recovery observed by the ischemic rats with human MSC grafts was mediated by the integration of new "neuronal" cells into the circuitry of the host brain. The observed functional improvement might have been mediated by proteins secreted by transplanted hMSCs, which could have upregulated host brain plasticity in response to experimental stroke.     

Brain and spinal cord affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis induce differential growth factors expression in rat mesenchymal and neural stem cells

C. Nicaise, D. Mitrecic and R. Pochet (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 37, 179–188
Brain and spinal cord affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis induce differential growth factors expression in rat mesenchymal and neural stem cells Stem cell research raises hopes for incurable neurodegenerative diseases. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), affecting the motoneurones of the central nervous system (CNS), stem cell‐based therapy aims to replace dying host motoneurones by transplantation of cells in disease‐affected regions. Moreover, transplanted stem cells can serve as a source of trophic factors providing neuroprotection, slowing down neuronal degeneration and disease progression. Aim: To determine the profile of seven trophic factors expressed by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and neural stem cells (NSC) upon stimulation with CNS protein extracts from SOD1‐linked ALS rat model. Methods: Culture of rat MSC, NSC and fibroblasts were incubated with brain and spinal cord extracts from SOD1(G93A) transgenic rats and mRNA expression of seven growth factors was measured by quantitative PCR. Results: MSC, NSC and fibroblasts exhibited different expression patterns. Nerve growth factor and brain‐derived neurotropic factor were significantly upregulated in both NSC and MSC cultures upon stimulation with SOD1(G93A) CNS extracts. Fibroblast growth factor 2, insulin‐like growth factor and glial‐derived neurotropic factor were upregulated in NSC, while the same factors were downregulated in MSC. Vascular endothelial growth factor A upregulation was restricted to MSC and fibroblasts. Surprisingly, SOD1(G93A) spinal cord, but not the brain extract, upregulated brain‐derived neurotropic factor in MSC and glial‐derived neurotropic factor in NSC. Conclusions: These results suggest that inherent characteristics of different stem cell populations define their healing potential and raise the concept of ALS environment in stem cell transplantation.     

VEGF基因修饰MSCs移植对脑梗死大鼠血管源性机制的实验研究

目的观察经尾静脉注射携带VEGF基因的MSCs移植对脑梗死模型大鼠血管生成方面的影响。方法采用直接贴壁全骨髓法分离纯化MSCs,通过脂质体转染技术将pIRES2-EGFP-VEGF导入MSCs,另采用改良Zea Longa线栓法将40只SD大鼠制成左侧大脑中动脉栓塞/再灌注模型,并随机分4组:VEGF-MSCs组、MSCs组、PBS组、Model组;造模24 h后Model组不做处理,前3组大鼠分别经尾静脉注射1 ml VEGF-MSCs、MSCs、PBS悬液;细胞移植7d后用免疫组织化学法测定脑梗死周围Ang-2、CD34的表达水平。结果 VEGF-MSCs组和MSCs组Ang-2、CD34阳性表达水平较PBS组、Model组高(P<0.05),且VEGF-MSCs组较MSCs组更高(P<0.05);Model组与PBS组差异不明显(P>0.05)。结论经尾静脉注射携带VEGF基因的MSCs移植入MCAO模型大鼠可以促进缺血脑组织新生血管的形成,其机制可能为VEGF上调缺血周边区域Ang-2、CD34的表达水平。     

血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子在缺血预处理大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注区域的表达

背景：脑缺血预处理可增加碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的表达,可能导致脑缺血耐受的产生。大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注给予血管内皮生长因子能够起到神经保护作用。 目的：观察缺血预处理对缺血再灌注大鼠血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达的影响。 方法：将SD大鼠随机分为缺血预处理组、模型组和假手术组。缺血预处理及模型组线栓法阻塞大脑中动脉制备脑缺血模型。预处理组在脑缺血-再灌注前3 d用插入尼龙线阻塞大脑中动脉,缺血2 h后再灌注22 h。模型组第一次手术将线栓前推5 mm,不阻断血流,其他同预处理组。假手术组仅插入尼龙线不阻塞大脑中动脉。用苏木精-伊红染色法观察3组间神经细胞变化。用抗生物素-生物素-过氧化物酶复合物法检测各组血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子蛋白的表达。分别比较3组神经功能评分、光镜下脑缺血再灌注区神经细胞形态、血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的表达。 结果与结论：与模型组比较,预处理组神经功能评分明显低于模型组(P < 0.01)。光镜下观察结果显示,与模型组比较,预处理组缺血面积及缺血程度均减轻,血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子表达均明显升高(P < 0.05)。结果提示缺血预处理可能通过增强血管内皮生长因子和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子而对缺血再灌注大鼠神经细胞起保护作用。     

骨髓间充质干细胞静脉移植治疗大鼠脑梗死的机制研究

目的 观察炎性因子和营养因子在静脉植入同种异体骨髓间充质干细胞(MSC)治疗大鼠脑梗死中的作用.方法 采用大脑中动脉远端阻塞法(dMCAO)制作大鼠脑梗死模型,假手术组开颅但不凝断血管、移植组于造模后1h经尾静脉移植1×106大鼠骨髓MSC,缺血对照组注射等量生理盐水.移植后48 h取脑用ELISA法检测皮层梗死核心区及纹状体促炎因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IFN-γ、IL-6,抗炎因子IL-4、IL-10,以及营养因子IGF-1、GDNF、BDNF的含量.结果 同种异体骨髓MSC移植后48 h,和缺血对照组比较,移植组脑梗死区炎性因子IFN-γ、IL-6显著降低,TNF-α、IL-1β显著升高,纹状体区IL-10显著下降.移植组梗死区BDNF的含量比缺血对照组显著增高,纹状体区IGF-1的含量也比缺血对照组显著升高;GDNF在各组间无显著差异.结论 脑梗死后1h同种异体静脉移植骨髓MSC治疗dMCAO模型,其梗死后48 h时间点的治疗效果和MSC抑制炎性反应没有明确联系,而更可能和大鼠脑内营养性细胞因子增加有关.     

Selective and nonselective stimulation of central cholinergic and dopaminergic development in vitro by nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin and the insulin-like growth factors I and II

To study the selectivity of neurotrophic actions in the brain, we analyzed the actions of several known growth factors on septal cholinergic, pontine cholinergic, and mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in culture. Similar to nerve growth factor (NGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulated choline acetyltransferase activity in septal cultures. In contrast to NGF, bFGF also enhanced dopamine uptake in mesencephalic cultures and stimulated cell proliferation in all 3 culture types. Insulin and the insulin-like growth factors I and II stimulated transmitter-specific differentiation and cell proliferation in all culture types. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) produced a small increase in dopamine uptake by mesencephalic cells and stimulated cell proliferation in all culture types. In septal cultures, bFGF was most effective when given at early culture times, NGF at later times. The stimulatory actions of bFGF and insulin did not require the presence of glial cells and were not mediated by NGF. In mesencephalic cultures, the stimulation of dopamine uptake by bFGF and EGF was dependent on glial proliferation. The results suggest different degrees of selectivity of the neurotrophic molecules. NGF and, very similarly, bFGF seem to influence septal cholinergic neurons directly and rather selectively, whereas the neurotrophic actions of insulin and the insulin-like growth factors appear to be more general.     

Implantation of bioactive growth factor-secreting rods enhances fetal dopaminergic graft survival, outgrowth density, and functional recovery in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

One of the drawbacks with fetal ventral mesencephalic (VM) grafts in Parkinson's disease is the limited outgrowth into the host striatum. In order to enhance graft outgrowth, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were administered by implantation of bioactive rods to the lateral part of the striatum to support grafted fetal VM implanted to the medial portion of the striatum. The polymer-based bioactive rods allow for a local secretion of neurotrophic factors over a time period of approximately 2 weeks. Moreover, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) were administered using the same technique. Concomitant administration of GDNF and TGFbeta1 was achieved by insertion of one GDNF and one TGFbeta1 rod. This was performed to investigate possible additive effects between GDNF and TGFbeta1. Rotational behavior, outgrowth from and nerve fiber density within the VM graft, and the number of TH-positive cells were studied. Functional compensation by reduction of rotational behavior was significantly enhanced in animals carrying bFGF and GDNF rods in comparison with animals carrying only VM graft. EGF and bFGF significantly increased the innervation density. Moreover, the nerve fiber density within the grafts was significantly enhanced by bFGF. Cell counts showed that a significantly higher number of TH-positive neurons was found in grafts treated with bFGF than that found in GDNF-treated grafts. An additive effect of TGFbeta1 and GDNF was not detectable. These results suggest that bioactive rods is a useful tool to deliver neurotrophic factors into the brain, and since bFGF was a potent factor concerning both functional, immunohistochemical and cell survival results, it might be of interest to use bFGF-secreting rods for enhancing the overall outcome of VM grafts into patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.