Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells exhibit the capacity of self-renewal and can be induce-differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells can survive and partial non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into neural cells or glial cells after transplantation into ischemic brain regions.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into ischemic brain regions on recovery of neurological function.
METHODS: Total bone marrow cells from β-Gal transgenic mice were separated by the whole bone marrow method. Passage 3 non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells were collected and purified by repeated transfer method. Twenty C57BL/6L mice were established into models of occlusion of middle cerebral artery and then randomized into two groups. In the cell transplantation group, 3 μL passage 3 non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells suspension was injected into the ischemic brain region at 7 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. At the same time, equal amount of physiological saline was injected into the control group. Since 28 days after cell transplantation, the learning and memory functions of mice were determined by 8-day Morris water maze test.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the place navigation test, the escape latency and swim length of mice in the cell transplantation group were significantly shortened than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In the probe trial, the number that mice passed cross the platform in the cell transplantation group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Transplantation of non-adherent mesenchymal stem cells can improve the learning and memory functions of mice with cerebral ischemia.