Autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in stroke patients

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation improves recovery from ischemic stroke in animals. We examined the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of cell therapy using culture-expanded autologous MSCs in patients with ischemic stroke. We prospectively and randomly allocated 30 patients with cerebral infarcts within the middle cerebral arterial territory and with severe neurological deficits into one of two treatment groups: the MSC group (n ‫؍‬ 5) received intravenous infusion of 1 ؋ 10 8 autologous MSCs, whereas the control group (n ‫؍‬ 25) did not receive MSCs. Changes in neurological deficits and improvements in function were compared between the groups for 1 year after symptom onset. Neuroimaging was performed serially in five patients from each group. Outcomes improved in MSC-treated patients compared with the control patients: the Barthel index (p ‫؍‬ 0.011, 0.017, and 0.115 at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively) and modified Rankin score (p ‫؍‬ 0.076, 0.171, and 0.286 at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively) of the MSC group improved consistently during the follow-up period. Serial evaluations showed no adverse cell-related, serological, or imaging-defined effects. In patients with severe cerebral infarcts, the intravenous infusion of autologous MSCs appears to be a feasible and safe therapy that may improve functional recovery. Neurol 2005;57:874 -882 Ann

Immunoregulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells

“…Notably, the i.v. infusion of allogeneic MSC in humans has led to encouraging results in different human diseases including GVHD [15], breast cancer [71], osteogenesis imperfecta [72], metachromatic leukodystrophy and Hurler syndrome [73], hematological malignancies [74] and stroke [75]. However, recent in vivo experiments raised some doubts about the reported immunoprivilege of MSC, indicating that at least in some cases, administration of allogeneic MSC into an MHC-mismatched host may result in their rejection [19].…”

The free fatty acid metabolome in cerebral ischemia following human mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in rats

“…Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have recently been investigated as an attractive therapeutic tool for ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction [1][2][3] because of their plasticity and availability [4]. Following stroke in a rat model, MSCs have been found to ameliorate functional deficits by secreting neurotrophic factors [5,6], which reduce apoptosis and promote endogenous cellular proliferation [5,7].…”

Combined Therapeutic Strategy Using Erythropoietin and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Potentiates Neurogenesis after Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

“…Furthermore, preliminary clinical data suggested that autologous MSC administration after stroke constitutes a safe strategy that may improve functional recovery in the absence of adverse effects (Bang et al, 2005).…”