Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells to treat a rat model of traumatic brain injury

• Published in: Neural regeneration research 2012-04, Vol.7 (10), p.741-748
• Main Authors: Zhao, Junjian, Chen, Naiyao, Shen, Na, Zhao, Hui, Wang, Dali, Shi, Jun, Wang, Yang, Cui, Xiufeng, Yan, Zhenyu, Xue, Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Bone marrow; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cytokines; Nervous system; Proteins; Research and Report : Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration; Statistical analysis; Surgery; Traumatic brain injury; Umbilical cord; Vascular endothelial growth factor; 创伤性脑损伤; 大鼠模型; 碱性成纤维细胞生长因子; 移植治疗; 脐血; 脑源性神经营养因子; 血管内皮生长因子; 间质干细胞
• ISSN: 1673-5374; 1876-7958
• DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.10.004

In the present study, human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells were injected into a rat model of traumatic brain injury via the tail vein. Results showed that 5-bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells aggregated around the injury site, surviving up to 4 weeks post-transplantation. In addition, transplantation-related death did not occur, and neurological functions significantly improved. Histological detection revealed attenuated pathological injury in rat brain tissues following human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. In addition, the number of apoptotic cells decreased. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization showed increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor, along with increased microvessel density in surrounding areas of brain injury. Results demonstrated migration of transplanted human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells into the lesioned boundary zone of rats, as well as increased angiogenesis and expression of related neurotrophic factors in the lesioned boundary zone.