Human placenta-derived adherent (PDA001) cells are mesenchymal-like stem cells isolated from postpartum human placenta. In this study, we tested whether intravenously infused PDA001 improves neurological functional recovery after stroke in rats. In addition, potential mechanisms underlying the PDA001-induced neuroprotective effect were investigated. Young adult male rats (2-3 months) were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and treated with PDA001 (4 ´ 10 6) or vehicle controls [dextran vehicle or phosphate buffer saline (PBS)] via intravenous (IV) administration initiated at 4 h after MCAo. A battery of functional tests and measurements of lesion volume and apoptotic cells were performed. Immunostaining and ELISA assays for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were performed in the ischemic brain to test the potential mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of PDA001 cell treatment of stroke. PDA001 cell treatment at 4 h poststroke significantly improved functional outcome and significantly decreased lesion volume, TUNEL, and cleaved caspase 3-positive cell number in the ischemic brain, compared to MCAo-vehicle and MCAo-PBS control. Treatment of stroke with PDA001 cells also significantly increased HGF and VEGF expression in the ischemic border zone (IBZ) compared to controls. Using ELISA assays, treatment of stroke with PDA001 cells significantly increased VEGF, HGF, and BDNF levels in the ischemic brain compared to controls. Conclusion: When administered intravenously at 4 h after MCAo, PDA001 cells promoted neuroprotective effects. These effects induced by PDA001 cell treatment may be related to the increase of VEGF, HGF, and BDNF expression, and a decrease of apoptosis. PDA001 cells may provide a viable cell source to treat stroke.

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BackgroundHuman Placenta-Derived Adherent Cells (PDAC®) are a novel mesenchymal-like cell population derived from normal human placental tissue. PDA-001 is a clinical formulation of PDAC® developed for intravenous administration. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of PDA-001 treatment in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in young adult (2–3 month old) and older rats (10–12 months old).MethodsTo evaluate efficacy and determine the optimal number of transplanted cells, young adult Wistar rats were subjected to MCAo and treated 1 day post MCAo with 1×106, 4×106 or 8×106 PDA-001 cells (i.v.), vehicle or cell control. 4×106 or 8×106 PDA-001 cells were also tested in older rats after MCAo. Treatment response was evaluated using a battery of functional outcome tests, consisting of adhesive-removal test, modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) and foot-fault test. Young adult rats were sacrificed 56 days after MCAo, older rats were sacrificed 29 days after MCAo, and lesion volumes were measured using H&E. Immunohistochemical stainings for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and synaptophysin were performed.ResultsIn young adult rats, treatment with 4×106 PDA-001 cells significantly improved functional outcome after stroke (p<0.05). In older rats, significant functional improvement was observed with PDA-001 cell therapy in both of the 4×106 and 8×106 treatment groups. Functional benefits in young adult and older rats were associated with significant increases in the number of BrdU immunoreactive endothelial cells, vascular density and perimeter in the ischemic brain, as well as significantly increased synaptophysin expression in the ischemic border zone (p<0.05).ConclusionPDA-001 treatment significantly improved functional outcome after stroke in both young adult and older rats. The neurorestorative effects induced by PDA-001 treatment may be related to increased vascular density and synaptic plasticity.