title: Opportunities and challenges: stem cell-based therapy for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
abstract: Stem cell-based therapy for ischemic stroke has been widely explored in animal models and provides strong evidence of benefits. In this review, we summarize the types of stem cells, various delivery routes, and tracking tools for stem cell therapy of ischemic stroke. MSCs, EPCs, and NSCs are the most explored cell types for ischemic stroke treatment. Although the mechanisms of stem cell-based therapies are not fully understood, the most possible functions of the transplanted cells are releasing growth factors and regulating microenvironment through paracrine mechanism. Clinical application of stem cell-based therapy is still in its infancy. The next decade of stem cell research in stroke field needs to focus on combining different stem cells and different imaging modalities to fully explore the potential of this therapeutic avenue: from bench to bedside and vice versa.
authors: Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Center, Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Yao-Hui
authors: YH
authors: Tang
authors: Yuan-Yuan
authors: YY
authors: Ma
authors: Zhi-Jun
authors: ZJ
authors: Zhang
authors: Yong-Ting
authors: YT
authors: Wang
authors: Guo-Yuan
authors: GY
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Imaging; Ischemia; Stem cell; Stroke; Therapy