Placenta-Derived Cells for Acute Brain Injury

Abstract

Acute brain injury resulting from ischemic/hemorrhagic or traumatic damage is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide and is a significant burden to society. Neuroprotective options to counteract brain damage are very limited in stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Given the multifaceted nature of acute brain injury and damage progression, several therapeutic targets may need to be addressed simultaneously to interfere with the evolution of the injury and improve the patient's outcome. Stem cells are ideal candidates since they act on various mechanisms of protection and repair, improving structural and functional outcomes after experimental stroke or TBI. Stem cells isolated from placenta offer advantages due to their early embryonic origin, ease of procurement, and ethical acceptance. We analyzed the evidence for the beneficial effects of placenta-derived stem cells in acute brain injury, with the focus on experimental studies of TBI and stroke, the engineering strategies pursued to foster cell potential, and characterization of the bioactive molecules secreted by placental cells, known as their secretome, as an alternative cell-free strategy. Results from the clinical application of placenta-derived stem cells for acute brain injury and ongoing clinical trials are summarily discussed.

Experience in Clinical Application of Cryopreserved Placental Derivatives: Cells, Tissue, Membranes, Extract, and Cord Blood Serum

“…Thus, when using the placental MIBP in obstetric and gynecological practice, the strongest effect was observed in the pathology associated with immunological, dyscirculatory or endocrinological disorders, which coincides with the reported data [13][14][15][16].…”

“…The effectiveness of regenerative medicine methods in the treatment of neurological disorders is due to the proven neuroprotective effect, antioxidant, antiapoptotic and immunomodulatory effects of stem cells, or compounds synthesized by the placenta [13,14,16,17,20]. The synthesis of such factors as tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, vasoactive intestinal peptide, nerve growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth fac-tor, angiogenin, endostatin and others by placental cells has been proven [1][2][3].…”

“…The use of Platex Ophthalmic and Cryocellcryocord in ophthalmic practice in the pathology of the cornea and retina was effective, which evidenced both numerous experimental and clinical data [13,18,19].…”

Pathophysiology of Ganglioside GM1 in Ischemic Stroke: Ganglioside GM1: A Critical Review

“…Ischemic stroke is characterized by high mortality and significant neurological deficits in long-term survivors 22–27 . Its mechanisms of neuronal cell death have only partially been elucidated 28–30 , which is thought to be the key to this serious condition.…”

Rotational culture and integration with amniotic stem cells reduce porcine islet immunoreactivity in vitro and slow xeno‐rejection in a murine model of islet transplantation

“…This offers the ability to alter the responsiveness of immune cell populations, especially those with direct involvement in islet graft rejection, whilst proffering trophic support . Amnion‐derived stem cells (ASC) exhibit immune‐privilege, most likely via low‐level expression of surface MHC classes I and II, whilst the factors within the ASC secretome include a range of pro‐angiogenic, cell trophic, anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines . Despite these potential benefits in the context of clinical islet allo‐transplantation, the behaviour of human ASC populations for xenogenic immune events has not been widely characterized.…”