Lab-to-clinic application of stem cell therapy for stroke

Abstract

Stem cell therapy or "cell therapy" has been demonstrated to be a potent treatment intervention in animal models of acute ischemic stroke, and recently has been introduced as an experimental therapy in early phase clinical trials. Among the many stem cells, the bone marrow adherent cell type known as mesenchymal stem cells have emerged in laboratory studies as a safe and effective therapy for ischemic stroke and other brain diseases. In particular, a unique population of adherent bone marrow-derived cells, called MultiStem cells, display immunomodulatory effects and are a promising allogeneic cell therapy in acute ischemic stroke. Here, we describe the preclinical evidence supporting the use of MultiStem in the acute setting of ischemic stroke and the translation into an early phase clinical trial in ischemic stroke.

SUMOylation in brain ischemia: Patterns, targets, and translational implications

“…89 In stroke, transplanted stem cells have been shown to exert beneficial effects via structural replacement of damaged tissue and a litany of other immunomodulatory and neurotrophic actions. [90][91][92] Unfortunately, the clinical translation of such promising therapies continues to remain elusive, in part due to the limited persistence/survivability of grafted cells within the hostile ischemic microenvironment. 91,93 Given the roles of SUMOylation in stem cells as noted above, and SUMOylation's protective effects in ischemia, increasing SUMOylation may be a promising strategy in aiding the development of stem-based therapies in stroke.…”