Stem Cell Therapy for Neuroprotection in the Growth-Restricted Newborn

Abstract

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs when a fetus is unable to grow normally due to inadequate nutrient and oxygen supply from the placenta. Children born with FGR are at high risk of lifelong adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, such as cerebral palsy, behavioral issues, and learning and attention difficulties. Unfortunately, there is no treatment to protect the FGR newborn from these adverse neurological outcomes. Chronic inflammation and vascular disruption are prevalent in the brains of FGR neonates and therefore targeted treatments may be key to neuroprotection. Tissue repair and regeneration via stem cell therapies have emerged as a potential clinical intervention for FGR babies at risk for neurological impairment and long-term disability. This review discusses the advancement of research into stem cell therapy for treating neurological diseases and how this may be extended for use in the FGR newborn. Leading preclinical studies using stem cell therapies in FGR animal models will be highlighted and the near-term steps that need to be taken for the development of future clinical trials.

Do Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Contain Functional Mitochondria?

“…The title of this manuscript seems to require an unambiguous answer to the question: do vesicles formed by mesenchymal stromal stem cells contain functional mitochondria? This question arose from the general ideas that, firstly, the introduction of MSC into the affected biological system has a therapeutic effect [30][31][32][33][34] and, secondly, a therapeutic effect similar in direction can be obtained from the introduction of the medium in which MSC are cultivated, or its concentrate, and even better with the use of products obtained by centrifugation of the culture medium in which vesicular particles were detected [35,36].…”

The brain of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia shows signs of hypoxic injury with loss of progenitor cells, neurons, and oligodendrocytes

“…Finally, a regenerative medicine approach could also prove effective to rescue the loss of brain cell populations. Several preclinical and clinical studies have reported that administration of stem cells or their derivatives have regenerative and neuroprotective effects in fetuses with fetal growth restriction 63,64 . To date, this approach has not been tested in CDH fetuses, likely due to the lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of brain injury, which is now unveiled by the current study.…”

Unveiling fetal brain changes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: hypoxic injury with loss of progenitor cells, neurons, and oligodendrocytes

“…Finally, a regenerative medicine approach could also prove effective to rescue the loss of brain cell populations. Several preclinical and clinical studies have reported that administration of stem cells or their derivatives have regenerative and neuroprotective effects in fetuses with fetal growth restriction (60, 61). To date, this approach has not been tested in CDH fetuses, likely due to the lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of brain injury, which is now unveiled by the current study.…”