title: Enhancing trophic support of mesenchymal stem cells by ex vivo treatment with trophic factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have examined the enhanced efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using neurotrophic factor transfection in ischemic rat models. However, gene therapy, e.g., the application of MSCs transfected with neurotrophic factors, is not feasible in clinical practice for ethical reasons. Therefore, we evaluated cultivation with specific trophic factors in an attempt to enhance the efficacy of human MSCs (hMSCs) in ischemic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we analyzed the levels of trophic factors released from hMSCs after treatment with ischemic brain extract. Trophic factors were pretreated under ex vivo culture conditions. The concentrations of each trophic factor produced by the trophic factor-pretreated and non-pretreated hMSCs were then measured and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  hMSCs cultured with ischemic rat brain extract showed increased production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and HGF (hepatocyte growth factor). Ex vivo treatment with trophic factors led to a further increase in the production of the trophic factor by hMSC, suggesting autocrine regulation of hMSCs. The morphology and expression of surface markers of hMSCs were not changed, but the cell viability and cell proliferation ability increased after treatment with trophic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that hMSCs provide trophic support to the ischemic brain, which can be enhanced by ex vivo treatment of trophic factors during cultivation of hMSCs.
authors.affiliation: Brain Disease Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Wen Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gyeong Joon
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Phil Hyu
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Gwang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Oh Young
authors.initials: OY
authors.lastname: Bang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor