Transplantation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes behavioral recovery and endogenous neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia in rats

Diverse roles for VEGF-A in the nervous system

“…Firstly, VEGF-A expression is upregulated in CNS regions that undergo neurogenesis in rodents after transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Bao et al, 2011), after exercise (Wong-Goodrich et al, 2010), following traumatic brain injury or in response to environmental enrichment (Cao et al, 2004). Secondly, manipulating VEGF-A expression alters the level of neurogenesis in these experimental settings.…”

Neural Stem Cells: Exogenous and Endogenous Promising Therapies for Stroke

“…High levels of BDNF, neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and VEGF were detected in the hBMSCs-treated brain, as well as an increased proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells in the SVZ (Bao et al, 2011). This indicates that it is unlikely that MSCs replaced the damaged tissue and more likely that they secreted trophic factors that promoted functional recovery after stroke.…”

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Treat Brain Injury

“…Indeed, Aizman et al (2009) demonstrate that human MSC-derived ECM promotes differentiation of cortical cells into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes and also enhances neuronal neurite networks compared to single ECM proteins. Transplantation of MSCs augments endogenous regeneration following experimental ischemic stroke (Bao et al, 2011;Li et al, 2010;Li et al, 2002;Xin et al, 2010;Yoo et al, 2008) and TBI (Mahmood et al, 2004;Xiong et al, 2009). For example, both Bao et al (2011) and Yoo et al (2008) show that intracerebral transplantation of human MSCs 3 days following experimental cerebral ischemia in rats increases proliferation and migration of host neural stem cells and also decreases their apoptosis, thus enhancing neurogenesis.…”

“…Transplantation of MSCs augments endogenous regeneration following experimental ischemic stroke (Bao et al, 2011;Li et al, 2010;Li et al, 2002;Xin et al, 2010;Yoo et al, 2008) and TBI (Mahmood et al, 2004;Xiong et al, 2009). For example, both Bao et al (2011) and Yoo et al (2008) show that intracerebral transplantation of human MSCs 3 days following experimental cerebral ischemia in rats increases proliferation and migration of host neural stem cells and also decreases their apoptosis, thus enhancing neurogenesis. They also report enhanced behavioral recovery, and Bao et al demonstrate increases in BDNF, NT-3, and VEGF in the brains of MSC-treated rats, though they do not identify the source of these cytokines.…”