Fate of graft cells: what should be clarified for development of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for ischemic stroke?
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are believed to be promising for cell administration therapy after ischemic stroke. Because of their advantageous characteristics, such as ability of differentiation into neurovascular lineages, avoidance of immunological problems, and abundance of graft cells in mesodermal tissues, studies regarding MSC therapy have increased recently. However, several controversies are yet to be resolved before a worldwide consensus regarding a standard protocol is obtained. In particular, the neuroprotective effects, the rate of cell migration to the lesion, and differentiation direction differ depending on preclinical observations. Analyses of these differences and application of recent developments in stem cell biology or engineering in imaging modality may contribute to identification of criteria for optimal stem cell therapy in which reliable protocols, which control cell quality and include safe administration procedures, are defined for each recovery phase after cerebral ischemia. In this mini review, we examine controversies regarding the fate of grafts and the prospects for advanced therapy that could be obtained through recent developments in stem cell research as direct conversion to neural cells.
Department of Neurosurgery, Chubu Medical Center for Prolonged Traumatic Brain Dysfunction Gifu, Japan ; Department of Clinical Brain Sciences, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan ; Department of Cell Signaling, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan.
Yuka
Y
Ikegame
Department of Neurosurgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan ; Department of Neurosurgery, Murakami Memorial Hospital, Asahi University Gifu, Japan.
Kentaro
K
Yamashita
Department of Cell Signaling, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan.
Shigeru
S
Nakashima
Department of Neurosurgery, Chubu Medical Center for Prolonged Traumatic Brain Dysfunction Gifu, Japan.
Yuichi
Y
Nomura
Department of Neurosurgery, Chubu Medical Center for Prolonged Traumatic Brain Dysfunction Gifu, Japan.
Shingo
S
Yonezawa
Department of Neurosurgery, Chubu Medical Center for Prolonged Traumatic Brain Dysfunction Gifu, Japan ; Department of Clinical Brain Sciences, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan.
Yoshitaka
Y
Asano
Department of Neurosurgery, Chubu Medical Center for Prolonged Traumatic Brain Dysfunction Gifu, Japan ; Department of Clinical Brain Sciences, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan.
Jun
J
Shinoda
Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Molecular Pharmacology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University Gifu, Japan.
Hideaki
H
Hara
Department of Neurosurgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine Gifu, Japan.
Toru
T
Iwama
ischemic stroke; mesenchymal stem cell; neurovascular unit; stem cell therapy; translational research