Stem cell therapy improves brain function following ischemic stroke

Stroke is a serious and debilitating event and a significant cause of death. Few therapies are available to mitigate the damage it often causes. A neural stem cell treatment is stepping up in the hopes of one day helping stroke patients regain more neurologic function.

In this preclinical study published March 10 in PLOS ONE, researchers used a human neural stem cell line called NSI-566RSC in a small animal model of ischemic stroke to evaluate its potential benefit for human patients.

"Repairing damage from stroke is a major unmet clinical need," said lead author Cesar V. Borlongan, PhD, a professor in the department of neurosurgery at Morsani College of Medicine and director of University of South Florida's Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, in a March 28 statement from Neuralstem, producers of the cell line. "Laboratory testing and limited human clinical trials, using an increasing diversity of cell sources for transplantation, indicate that transplanting human-derived neural stem cells into stroke victims is safe and effective. Although the mechanisms of action for stem cell therapy are not clear, our study suggests a potential therapeutic value of intracerebral dosing of cells from the NSI-566RSC cell line in ischemic stroke."

Of the 40 models included in the study, those signaling significant motor and neurological impairments seven days after stroke were given intracerebral transplants of the human stem cell line. The subjects were then observed on a weekly basis for improvements. Recovery was dependent upon the graduating dose of therapy. Infarct size was consistent between models and surviving cell grafts were found in all groups.

“[Human neuron-specific enolase-immunoreactive fibers] were also present within the corpus callosum, coursing in parallel with host tracts, suggesting a propensity to follow established neuroanatomical features,” wrote the authors of the study.

Even though there were few differences in the damage suffered from stroke, there were pronounced benefits demonstrated by the transplant subjects. 

“Despite absence of reduction in infarct volume, NSI-566RSC transplantation produced behavioral improvements possibly via robust engraftment and neuronal differentiation, supporting the use of this NSC line for stroke therapy,” the authors concluded.