Homing of stem cells to sites of inflammatory brain injury after intracerebral and intravenous administration: a longitudinal imaging study

Abstract

IntroductionThis study aimed to determine the homing potential and fate of epidermal neural crest stem cells (eNCSCs) derived from hair follicles, and bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) of mesenchymal origin, in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory lesion model in the rat brain. Both eNCSCs and BMSCs are easily accessible from adult tissues by using minimally invasive procedures and can differentiate into a variety of neuroglial lineages. Thus, these cells have the potential to be used in autologous cell-replacement therapies, minimizing immune rejection, and engineered to secrete a variety of molecules.MethodsBoth eNCSCs and BMSCs were prelabeled with iron-oxide nanoparticles (IO-TAT-FITC) and implanted either onto the corpus callosum in healthy or LPS-lesioned animals or intravenously into lesioned animals. Both cell types were tracked longitudinally in vivo by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for up to 30 days and confirmed by postmortem immunohistochemistry.ResultsTransplanted cells in nonlesioned animals remained localized along the corpus callosum. Cells implanted distally from an LPS lesion (either intracerebrally or intravenously) migrated only toward the lesion, as seen by the localized MRI signal void. Fluorescence microscopy of the FITC tag on the nanoparticles confirmed the in vivo MRI data,ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that both cell types can be tracked in vivo by using noninvasive MRI and have pathotropic properties toward an inflammatory lesion in the brain. As these cells differentiate into the glial phenotype and are derived from adult tissues, they offer a viable alternative autologous stem cell source and gene-targeting potential for neurodegenerative and demyelinating pathologies.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 and its agonists mediate hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell mobilization

“…LPS as an inflammatory stimulus enhanced endocannabinoid levels, mediated by cytokines, including TNF-␣. 39 Therefore, BM stromal cells may represent a very significant source of endocannabinoids produced in various pathologic conditions associated with increased inflammation, in addition to the previously reported activated macrophages. 4 Understanding of the signals that regulate HSPC development and the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that are involved in maintenance of HSC in the BM niches are crucial for proper hematopoiesis.…”

Effects of Neural Stem Cell and Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Co-transplants on Tissue Remodelling After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in the Adult Rat

“…Cross-callosal, transhemispheric migration has previously been reported, especially for bone-marrow stromal cells. However, in those cases the stem cells were originally transplanted in the contralesional hemisphere after stroke induced injury [6,43]. Furthermore, after ischemic lesion, intracortically transplanted NSCs have been shown to migrate away from the initial graft location and to align themselves with the corpus callosum [44].…”

Magnetic Nanoparticles: Its Effect on Cellular Behaviour and Potential Applications

“…The labelled mesenchymal stem cells are also applied for monitoring the repair of lipopolysaccarides induced damaged brain tissue in rat model by using MNPs-tat peptide conjugate. The result shows cell migratory behaviour into the damaged brain (Jackson et al, 2010). For understanding of interaction between mesenchymal stem cells and tumor, labelled mesenchymal stem cells is also monitored for its interaction with glioma in mouse model by using ferucarbontran in conjunction with protamine sulfate and proved that mesenchymal stem cells reduce glioma growth and mesenchymal stem cells is capable of migration into glioma tissue (Chien et al, 2010).…”