title: Umbilical cord blood transfusions for prevention of progressive brain injury and induction of neural recovery: an immunological perspective.
abstract: One of the most promising treatments for neurodegenerative diseases appears to be human umbilical cord blood cell transplantation. A variety of studies demonstrate some benefit of this method of treatment in a number of different animal models and case studies. However, before the methodologies and results of these animal studies and case studies can be translated into successful widespread treatments, aspects relating to the immunological properties of the transplanted cells must be considered. In this perspective, we discuss the benefit of the cellular immaturity of these cells with respect to the immune response, and compare cord blood transplantation to blood transfusions, as well as discussing what future studies should entail.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. awilling@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Alison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Willing
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Eve
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Sanberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005312:Fetal Blood; D006801:Humans