Delayed transplantation of human neural precursor cells improves outcome from focal cerebral ischemia in aged rats.
Neural precursor cell (NPC) transplantation may have a role in restoring brain function after stroke, but how aging might affect the brain's receptivity to such transplants is unknown. We reported previously that transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived NPCs together with biomaterial (Matrigel) scaffolding into the brains of young adult Sprague-Dawley rats 3 weeks after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reduced infarct volume and improved neurobehavioral performance. In this study, we compared the effect of NPC and Matrigel transplants in young adult (3-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) Fisher 344 rats from the National Institute on Aging's aged rodent colony. Distal MCAO was induced by electrocoagulation, and hESC-derived NPCs were transplanted into the infarct cavity 3 weeks later. Aged rats developed larger infarcts, but infarct volume and performance on the cylinder and elevated body swing tests, measured 6-8 weeks post-transplant, were improved by transplantation. We conclude that advanced age does not preclude a beneficial response to NPC transplantation following experimental stroke.
Jin
Kunlin
K
Buck Institute for Age Research, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA.
Mao
Xiaoou
X
Xie
Lin
L
Greenberg
Rose B
RB
Peng
Botao
B
Moore
Alexander
A
Greenberg
Maeve B
MB
Greenberg
David A
DA
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers