Neural stem cells reduce brain injury after unilateral carotid ligation

Pediatr Neurol. 2008 Feb;38(2):86-92. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2007.10.007.

Abstract

Neonatal stroke presents with seizures and results in neurologic morbidity, including epilepsy, hemiparesis, and cognitive deficits. Stem cell-based therapy offers a possible therapeutic strategy for neonatal stroke. We developed an immature mouse model of stroke with acute seizures and ischemic brain injury. Postnatal day 12 CD1 mice received right-sided carotid ligation. Two or 7 days after ligation, mice received an intrastriatal injection of B5 embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells. Four weeks after ligation, hemispheric brain atrophy was measured. Pups receiving stem cells 2 days after ligation had less severe hemispheric brain atrophy compared with either noninjected or vehicle-injected ligated controls. Transplanted cells survived, but 3 out of 10 pups injected with stem cells developed local tumors. No difference in hemispheric brain atrophy was seen in mice injected with stem cells 7 days after ligation. Neural stem cells have the potential to ameliorate ischemic injury in the immature brain, although tumor development is a serious concern.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atrophy
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology
  • Brain Ischemia / mortality
  • Brain Ischemia / therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carotid Arteries / physiology*
  • Cell Survival
  • Ligation
  • Mice
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / transplantation*
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / mortality
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Teratoma / pathology
  • Tretinoin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Tretinoin