Umbilical Cord Blood‐Derived Stem Cells and Brain Repair

Abstract

Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) is now considered a valuable source for stem cell-based therapies. HUCB cells are enriched for stem cells that have the potential to initiate and maintain tissue repair. This potential is especially attractive in neural diseases for which no current cure is available. Furthermore, HUCB cells are easily available and less immunogenic compared to other sources for stem cell therapy such as bone marrow. Accordingly, the number of cord blood transplants has doubled in the last year alone, especially in the pediatric population. The therapeutic potential of HUCB cells may be attributed to inherent ability of stem cell populations to replace damaged tissues. Alternatively, various cell types within the graft may promote neural repair by delivering neural protection and secretion of neurotrophic factors. In this review, we evaluate the preclinical studies in which HUCB was applied for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and for traumatic and ischemic brain damage. We discuss how transplantation of HUCB cells affects these disorders and we present recent clinical studies with promising outcome.

Multiple Low-Dose Infusions of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Improve Cognitive Impairments and Reduce Amyloid-β-Associated Neuropathology in Alzheimer Mice

“…It has been reported that HUCBC entry into the brain is not required to promote neuroprotection [59]. According to the report just outlined, recovery following brain injury is mediated through peripheral anti-inflammatory responses resulting in brain recovery [9]. This is in accord with our results that indicated more of a peripheral, HUCBCmediated CNS affect, since the cells were not detected in the mouse brain for any significant amount of time.…”

“…We conducted an analysis of mouse brain homogenates using monoclonal Ab [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] antibody (6E10) to analyze Ab species and b-C-terminal fragments (b-CTFs), from both the 6-and 10-month treated groups. The 6E10 antibody specifically recognizes APP and b-CTFs.…”

“…At single high dose, HUCBC treatment into an AD preclinical model was even linked to an extension of lifespan [15]. Moreover, HUCBC infusion mediated recovery after brain injury within days [9,16], suggesting that in this scenario, transplanted cells do not infiltrate the site of brain injury and mediate reinnervation.…”

“…Therapeutic benefits derived from HUCBC treatment have been suggested to arise from modulation of peripheral inflammatory processes, which in turn affects inflammation in the brain parenchyma, and the mobilization of adult stem cells from the bone marrow (BM) [7][8][9][10][11]. Indeed, in the animal model of stroke, HUCBCs have been shown to promote a strong antiinflammatory T helper 2 (Th2) response [7], as opposed to the deleterious proinflammatory T helper cell type 1 (Th1) response.…”

Transplantation of umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells as a novel strategy to protect the central nervous system: technical aspects, preclinical studies, and clinical perspectives

“…A few promising experimental studies using human UCB (hUCB)-derived mononuclear cells and hUC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), either from the blood or from Wharton's jelly, have already been undertaken (5)(6)(7)(8). Thus, there is increasing interest in studying the potential of UC-derived stem cells for the treatment of brain diseases (9). This review will summarize the most recent data on the technical aspects and the preclinical use of hUC-MSCs, which are opening up promising perspectives in the neuroprotection and neuroregeneration of the developing human brain.…”