title: A Meta-Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease.
abstract: Multiple studies have been performed to evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed a meta-analysis to estimate the treatment effect of unmodified MSCs on behavioral outcomes in preclinical studies of PD. We performed a systematic literature search to identify studies that used behavioral testing to evaluate the treatment effect of unmodified MSCs in PD models. Meta-analysis was used to determine pooled effect size for rotational behavior and limb function, and meta-regression was performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. Twenty-five studies, including three delivery routes, a wide range of doses, and multiple PD models, were examined. Significant improvement was seen in the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for both rotational behavior [SMD: 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.84, 1.64] and limb function (SMD: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.01, 1.66). Using meta-regression, intravenous administration and higher dose had a larger effect on limb function. Treatment with MSCs improves behavioral outcomes in PD models. Our analyses suggest that MSCs could be considered for early-stage clinical trials in the treatment of PD.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riecke
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.affiliation: 2 Division of Clinical and Translational Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Chunyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Farhaan Shaheer
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Vahidy
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parsha
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Furr-Stimming
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Mya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schiess
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School , Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Sean I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Savitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005121:Extremities / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar