Intravenous Grafts of Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells Reduce Behavioral Deficits in Experimental Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Amniotic fluid has been investigated as new cell source for stem cells in the development of future cell-based transplantation. This study reports isolation of viable human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells, labeled with multimodal iron oxide nanoparticles, and its effect on focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury in Wistar rats. Middle cerebral artery occlusion of 60 min followed by reperfusion for 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h was employed in the present study to produce ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury in rats. Tests were employed to assess the functional outcome of the sensorimotor center activity in the brain, through a set of modified neurological severity scores used to assess motor and exploratory capacity 24 h, 14, and 28 days after receiving cellular therapy via tail vein. In our animal model of stroke, transplanted cells migrated to the ischemic focus, infarct volume decreased, and motor deficits improved. Therefore, we concluded that these cells appear to have beneficial effects on the ischemic brain, possibly based on their ability to enhance endogenous repair mechanisms.

Effect of amniotic fluid stem cell transplantation on the recovery of bladder dysfunction in spinal cord-injured rats

“…Fifth, we did not perform any type of immunosuppressive study. Our study and previous studies have revealed that injection of hAFSCs in animal models developed no immune rejection against transplanted tissue 17,45,46 . Mesenchymal stem cells have the advantage of immunomodulatory properties, making these cells good candidates for xenotransplantation 47 .…”

Human placental mesenchymal stem cells improve stroke outcomes via extracellular vesicles-mediated preservation of cerebral blood flow

“…Several studies have shown that human stem cells can improve ischemic outcomes in preclinical animal models [ 36 , 66 , 67 ]. In fact, reports of the immunomodulatory effects and low immunogenicity of human placental derived stem cells (hPMSC) found these cells to be useful candidates for allogenic transplantation and clinical application in regenerative medicine [68] . Therefore, if these cells were effective in animal models, it is likely they could have benefits in human clinical treatment.…”

Human amniotic fluid stem cells can improve cerebral vascular remodelling and neurological function after focal cerebral ischaemia in diabetic rats

“…to share similar characteristics to MSCs, including immune modulations, so hAFSCs may not exhibit immune rejection, unlike hematopoietic stem cells. 14,16,22 It is likely that hAFSCs can differentiate and integrate into nervous tissue and have therapeutic potential in treating neurological disorders such as stroke and its complications. Our previous study on bladder dysfunction demonstrated that hAFSCs contribute to help recovery of bladder function in spinal cord injured rats and MCAO rats.…”

“…Treatment with hAFSCs may facilitate functional recovery in a rodent stroke model. 22 In 60-minute MCAO rats, hAFSCs labelled with iron nanoparticles were found to migrate to the ischaemic region after intravenous transplantation. 22 Transplanted cells may provide support for cell surviving in penumbra area, offer protection from the toxic environment surrounding injured region and stimulate endogenous repair mechanisms such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis and immunomodulation.…”

“…22 In 60-minute MCAO rats, hAFSCs labelled with iron nanoparticles were found to migrate to the ischaemic region after intravenous transplantation. 22 Transplanted cells may provide support for cell surviving in penumbra area, offer protection from the toxic environment surrounding injured region and stimulate endogenous repair mechanisms such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis and immunomodulation. 22,24 Intravenous transplantation of rat AFSCs in adult rats therapy performed 24 h after stroke in T1DM rats can improve functional outcome.…”