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Rust R, Nih LR, Liberale L, Yin H, El Amki M, Ong LK, Zlokovic BV. Brain repair mechanisms after cell therapy for stroke. Brain 2024; 147:3286-3305. [PMID: 38916992 PMCID: PMC11449145 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapies hold great promise for brain repair after stroke. While accumulating evidence confirms the preclinical and clinical benefits of cell therapies, the underlying mechanisms by which they promote brain repair remain unclear. Here, we briefly review endogenous mechanisms of brain repair after ischaemic stroke and then focus on how different stem and progenitor cell sources can promote brain repair. Specifically, we examine how transplanted cell grafts contribute to improved functional recovery either through direct cell replacement or by stimulating endogenous repair pathways. Additionally, we discuss recently implemented preclinical refinement methods, such as preconditioning, microcarriers, genetic safety switches and universal (immune evasive) cell transplants, as well as the therapeutic potential of these pharmacologic and genetic manipulations to further enhance the efficacy and safety of cell therapies. By gaining a deeper understanding of post-ischaemic repair mechanisms, prospective clinical trials may be further refined to advance post-stroke cell therapy to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Rust
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Lina R Nih
- Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Luca Liberale
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Hao Yin
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Mohamad El Amki
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lin Kooi Ong
- School of Health and Medical Sciences & Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Berislav V Zlokovic
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Xu W, Guo Y, Zhao L, Fu R, Qin X, Zhang Y, Cheng X, Xu S. The Aging Immune System: A Critical Attack on Ischemic Stroke. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04464-2. [PMID: 39271626 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04464-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke caused by cerebrovascular embolism is an age-related disease with high rates of disability and mortality. Although the mechanisms of immune and inflammatory development after stroke have been of great interest, most studies have neglected the critical and unavoidable factor of age. As the global aging trend intensifies, the number of stroke patients is constantly increasing, emphasizing the urgency of finding effective measures to address the needs of elderly stroke patients. The concept of "immunosenescence" appears to explain the worse stroke outcomes in older individuals. Immune remodeling due to aging involves dynamic changes at all levels of the immune system, and the overall consequences of central (brain-resident) and peripheral (non-brain-resident) immune cells in stroke vary according to the age of the individual. Lastly, the review outlines recent strategies aimed at immunosenescence to improve stroke prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhe Xu
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuying Guo
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
| | - Linna Zhao
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoli Qin
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunsha Zhang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueqi Cheng
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shixin Xu
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China.
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Gao G, Sun X, Xu J, Yu J, Wang Y. miR-19-3p/GRSF1/COX1 axis attenuates early brain injury via maintaining mitochondrial function after subarachnoid haemorrhage. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2024:svn-2024-003099. [PMID: 39266212 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2024-003099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guanine-rich RNA sequence binding factor 1 (GRSF1) is an RNA-binding protein, which is eventually localised to mitochondria and promotes the translation of cytochrome C oxidase 1 (COX1) mRNA. However, the role of the miR-19-3p/GRSF1/COX1 axis has not been investigated in an experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) model. Thus, we investigated the role of the miR-19-3p/GRSF1/COX1 axis in a SAH-induced early brain injury (EBI) course. METHODS Primary neurons were treated with oxyhaemoglobin (OxyHb) to simulate in vitro SAH. The rat SAH model was established by injecting autologous arterial blood into the optic chiasma cisterna. The GRSF1 level was downregulated or upregulated by treating the rats and neurons with lentivirus-GRSF1 shRNA (Lenti-GRSF1 shRNA) or lentivirus-GRSF1 (Lenti-GRSF1). RESULTS The miR-19-3p level was upregulated and the protein levels of GRSF1 and COX1 were both downregulated in SAH brain tissue. GRSF1 silence decreased and GRSF1 overexpression increased the protein levels of GRSF1 and COX1 in primary neurons and brain tissue, respectively. Lenti-GRSF1 shRNA aggravated, but Lenti-GRSF1 alleviated, the indicators of neuronal injury and neurological impairment in both in vitro and in vivo SAH conditions. In addition, miR-19-3p mimic reduced the protein levels of GRSF1 and COX1 in cultured neurons while miR-19-3p inhibitor increased them. More importantly, Lenti-GRSF1 significantly relieved mitochondrial damage of neurons exposed to OxyHb or induced by SAH and was beneficial to maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Lenti-GRSF1 shRNA treatment, conversely, aggravated mitochondrial damage in neurons. CONCLUSION The miR-19-3p/GRSF1/COX1 axis may serve as an underlying target for inhibiting SAH-induced EBI by maintaining mitochondrial integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jiajia Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jian Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Wang Y, Chang C, Wang R, Li X, Bao X. The advantages of multi-level omics research on stem cell-based therapies for ischemic stroke. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1998-2003. [PMID: 38227528 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation is a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. However, despite many years of preclinical research, the application of stem cells is still limited to the clinical trial stage. Although stem cell therapy can be highly beneficial in promoting functional recovery, the precise mechanisms of action that are responsible for this effect have yet to be fully elucidated. Omics analysis provides us with a new perspective to investigate the physiological mechanisms and multiple functions of stem cells in ischemic stroke. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses have become important tools for discovering biomarkers and analyzing molecular changes under pathological conditions. Omics analysis could help us to identify new pathways mediated by stem cells for the treatment of ischemic stroke via stem cell therapy, thereby facilitating the translation of stem cell therapies into clinical use. In this review, we summarize the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke and discuss recent progress in the development of stem cell therapies for the treatment of ischemic stroke by applying multi-level omics. We also discuss changes in RNAs, proteins, and metabolites in the cerebral tissues and body fluids under stroke conditions and following stem cell treatment, and summarize the regulatory factors that play a key role in stem cell therapy. The exploration of stem cell therapy at the molecular level will facilitate the clinical application of stem cells and provide new treatment possibilities for the complete recovery of neurological function in patients with ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Wang
- 4+4 Doctor Medical Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuheng Chang
- 4+4 Doctor Medical Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Renzhi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinjie Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Lisjak D, Alić I, Šimunić I, Mitrečić D. Transplantation of neural stem cells improves recovery of stroke-affected mice and induces cell-specific changes in GSDMD and MLKL expression. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1439994. [PMID: 39210936 PMCID: PMC11358122 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1439994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Stroke, the second leading cause of death and disability in Europe, is primarily caused by interrupted blood supply, leading to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury and subsequent neuronal death. Current treatment options are limited, highlighting the need for novel therapies. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have shown promise in treating various neurological disorders, including stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms of NSC-mediated recovery remain unclear. Methods Eighty C57Bl/6-Tyrc-Brd mice underwent ischemic stroke induction and were divided into four groups: sham, stroke-affected, stroke-affected with basal cell medium injection, and stroke-affected with NSCs transplantation. NSCs, isolated from mouse embryos, were stereotaxically transplanted into the stroke-affected brains. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurological scoring were used to assess recovery. Immunohistochemical analysis and gene expression assays were performed to evaluate pyroptosis and necroptosis markers. Results NSC transplantation significantly improved neurological recovery compared to control groups. In addition, although not statistically significant, NSCs reduced stroke volume. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed upregulation of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression post-stroke, predominantly in microglia and astrocytes. However, NSC transplantation led to a reduction in GSDMD signal intensity in astrocytes, suggesting an effect of NSCs on GSDMD activity. Furthermore, NSCs downregulated Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like Protein (Mlkl) expression, indicating a reduction in necroptosis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated decreased phosphorylated MLKL (pMLKL) signal intensity in neurons while stayed the same in astrocytes following NSC transplantation, along with increased distribution in microglia. Discussion NSC transplantation holds therapeutic potential in stroke recovery by targeting pyroptosis and necroptosis pathways. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying NSC-mediated neuroprotection and support their further exploration as a promising therapy for stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damir Lisjak
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Department for Regenerative Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Alić
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Šimunić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Department for Regenerative Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dinko Mitrečić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Department for Regenerative Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Hamblin MH, Boese AC, Murad R, Lee JP. MMP-3 Knockout Induces Global Transcriptional Changes and Reduces Cerebral Infarction in Both Male and Female Models of Ischemic Stroke. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7383. [PMID: 39000490 PMCID: PMC11242542 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke followed by reperfusion (IR) leads to extensive cerebrovascular injury characterized by neuroinflammation and brain cell death. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) emerges as a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate IR-induced stroke injury. We employed middle cerebral artery occlusion with subsequent reperfusion (MCAO/R) to model ischemic stroke in adult mice. Specifically, we investigated the impact of MMP-3 knockout (KO) on stroke pathophysiology using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of stroke brains harvested 48 h post-MCAO. MMP-3 KO significantly reduced brain infarct size following stroke. Notably, RNA-seq analysis showed that MMP-3 KO altered expression of 333 genes (252 downregulated) in male stroke brains and 3768 genes (889 downregulated) in female stroke brains. Functional pathway analysis revealed that inflammation, integrin cell surface signaling, endothelial- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT/EMT), and apoptosis gene signatures were decreased in MMP-3 KO stroke brains. Intriguingly, MMP-3 KO downregulated gene signatures more profoundly in females than in males, as indicated by greater negative enrichment scores. Our study underscores MMP-3 inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy, impacting multiple cellular pathways following stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milton H. Hamblin
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Austin C. Boese
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Rabi Murad
- Bioinformatics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA;
| | - Jean-Pyo Lee
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Ruscu M, Glavan D, Surugiu R, Doeppner TR, Hermann DM, Gresita A, Capitanescu B, Popa-Wagner A. Pharmacological and stem cell therapy of stroke in animal models: Do they accurately reflect the response of humans? Exp Neurol 2024; 376:114753. [PMID: 38490317 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Cerebrovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite significant research investment, the only available therapeutic options are mechanical thrombectomy and tissue plasminogen activator thrombolysis. None of the more than a thousand drugs tested on animal models have proven successful in human clinical trials. Several factors contribute to this poor translation of data from stroke-related animal models to human stroke patients. Firstly, our understanding of the molecular and cellular processes involved in recovering from an ischemic stroke is severely limited. Secondly, although the risk of stroke is particularly high among older patients with comorbidities, most drugs are tested on young, healthy animals in controlled laboratory conditions. Furthermore, in animal models, the tracking of post-stroke recovery typically spans only 3 to 28 days, with occasional extensions to 60 days, whereas human stroke recovery is a more extended and complex process. Thirdly, young animal models often exhibit a considerably higher rate of spontaneous recovery compared to humans following a stroke. Fourth, only a very limited number of animals are utilized for each condition, including control groups. Another contributing factor to the much smaller beneficial effects in humans is that positive outcomes from numerous animal studies are more readily accepted than results reported in human trials that do not show a clear benefit to the patient. Useful recommendations for conducting experiments in animal models, with increased chances of translatability to humans, have been issued by both the STEPS investigative team and the STAIR committee. However, largely, due to economic factors, these recommendations are largely ignored. Furthermore, one might attribute the overall failures in predicting and subsequently developing effective acute stroke therapies beyond thrombolysis to potential design deficiencies in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai Ruscu
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniela Glavan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Roxana Surugiu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Thorsten R Doeppner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen 37075, Germany; Department of Neurology, University of Giessen Medical School, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Dirk M Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany
| | - Andrei Gresita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 115680-8000, USA
| | - Bogdan Capitanescu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 115680-8000, USA.
| | - Aurel Popa-Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania; Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 115680-8000, USA.
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Chen Q, Wu M, Tang Q, Yan P, Zhu L. Age-Related Alterations in Immune Function and Inflammation: Focus on Ischemic Stroke. Aging Dis 2024; 15:1046-1074. [PMID: 37728582 PMCID: PMC11081165 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0721-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The aging of the global population poses significant scientific challenges. Moreover, the biological process of aging is the most significant risk factor for most chronic illnesses; therefore, understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these aging-related challenges is crucial for extending the healthy lifespan of older individuals. Preventing brain aging remains a priority public health goal, and integrative and comprehensive aging analyses have revealed that immunosenescence is a potential cause of age-related brain damage and disease (e.g., stroke). Importantly, the neuroinflammatory and immune systems present two-way contact and thus can affect each other. Emerging evidence supports the numerous effects of immunosenescence- and inflammation-mediated immunity in neurologically injured brains. In this study, we briefly outline how aging alters the pathophysiology and transcriptional amplitude in patients who experienced stroke and then discuss how the immune system and its cellular components and molecular mechanisms are affected by age after stroke. Finally, we highlight emerging interventions with the potential to slow down or reduce aging and prevent stroke onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxin Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Minmin Wu
- Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Qiang Tang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150000, China
| | - Peiyu Yan
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
| | - Luwen Zhu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150000, China
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Gu C, Li Y, Liu J, Liu S, Long J, Zhang Q, Duan W, Feng T, Huang J, Qiu Y, Ahmed W, Cai H, Hu Y, Wu Y, Chen L. Neural stem cell-derived exosomes-loaded adhesive hydrogel controlled-release promotes cerebral angiogenesis and neurological function in ischemic stroke. Exp Neurol 2023; 370:114547. [PMID: 37743000 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ischemic stroke has become one of the leading diseases for international death, which brings burden to the economy and society. Exosomes (Exos) derived following neural stem cells (NSCs) stimulation promote neurogenesis and migration of NSCs. However, Exos themselves are easily to be removed in vivo. Our study is to investigate whether adhesive hyaluronic acid (HAD) hydrogel loading NSCs-derived-Exo (HAD-Exo) would promote the recovery of ischemic stroke. METHODS A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established. PBS, Exo, HAD, and HAD-Exo groups were independently stereotactically injected in mice, respectively. The modified neurological severity score scale and behaviour tests were used to evaluate neurological improvement. Neuroimagings were used to observe the improvement of cerebral infarct volume and vessels. Immunofluorescence staining was used to verify the expression of vascular and cell proliferation-related proteins. RESULTS The structural and mechanical property of HAD and HAD-Exo were detected. Behavioral results showed that HAD-Exo significantly improved neurological functions, especially motor function. Neuroimagings showed that HAD-Exo significantly promoted infarct volume and angiogenesis. Immunofluorescence staining showed that HAD-Exo significantly promoted the cerebral angiogenesis and anti-inflammation. CONCLUSION NSCs derived exosomes-loaded adhesive HAD hydrogel controlled-release could promote cerebral angiogenesis and neurological function for ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Gu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Yajing Li
- The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan People's Hospital), Dongguan 523059, PR China
| | - Jiale Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Sitian Liu
- Guangdong Engineering Research Centre for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Jun Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Qiankun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Wenjie Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Tingle Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Jiajun Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Yunhui Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China
| | - Waqas Ahmed
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Hengsen Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second People's Hospital of Pingnan, Pingnan 537300, PR China
| | - Yong Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hongkong 999077, PR China
| | - Yaobin Wu
- Guangdong Engineering Research Centre for Translation of Medical 3D Printing Application, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Biomechanics, Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Lukui Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Centre, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510310, PR China.
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10
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Tang X, Wu L, Zhu J, Xu M, Li S, Zeng G, Zhu S, Jiang Y. GABAergic neurons differentiated from BDNF- and Dlx2-modified neural stem cells restore disrupted neural circuits in brainstem stroke. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:170. [PMID: 37365654 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brainstem stroke causes severe and persistent neurological impairment. Due to the limited spontaneous recovery and regeneration of the disrupted neural circuits, transplantation of exogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) was an alternative, while there were limitations for primitive NSCs. METHODS We established a mouse model of brainstem stroke by injecting endothelin in the right pons. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)- and distal-less homeobox 2 (Dlx2)-modified NSCs were transplanted to treat brainstem stroke. Transsynaptic viral tracking, immunostaining, magnetic resonance imaging, behavioral testing, and whole-cell patch clamp recordings were applied to probe the pathophysiology and therapeutic prospects of BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs. RESULTS GABAergic neurons were predominantly lost after the brainstem stroke. No endogenous NSCs were generated in situ or migrated from the neurogenesis niches within the brainstem infarct region. Co-overexpressions of BDNF and Dlx2 not only promoted the survival of NSCs, but also boosted the differentiation of NSCs into GABAergic neurons. Results from transsynaptic virus tracking, immunostaining, and evidence from whole-cell patch clamping revealed the morphological and functional integration of the grafted BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs-derived neurons with the host neural circuits. Neurological function was improved by transplantation of BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs in brainstem stroke. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrated that BDNF- and Dlx2-modified NSCs differentiated into GABAergic neurons, integrated into and reconstituted the host neural networks, and alleviated the ischemic injury. It thus provided a potential therapeutic strategy for brainstem stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyue Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Li Wu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Juehua Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of SooChow University, 899 Pinghai Road, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mindong Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Shaojun Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Guanfeng Zeng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Shuanggen Zhu
- Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, 187 Guanlan West Road, Shenzhen, 518110, China.
- Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, 518109, China.
| | - Yongjun Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 250 Changgang East Road, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
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11
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Yin KJ, Hamblin MH, Lee JP. Editorial of special issue: Pharmacological, gene, and cell-based therapeutics targeting early or late neurodegenerative and neurovascular diseases. Exp Neurol 2023; 361:114297. [PMID: 36566701 PMCID: PMC10035810 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Jie Yin
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders & Recovery, Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Milton H Hamblin
- Tulane University, Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA; College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | - Jean-Pyo Lee
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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12
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Monsour M, Gordon J, Lockard G, Borlongan CV. Stem Cells Attenuate the Inflammation Crosstalk Between Ischemic Stroke and Multiple Sclerosis: A Review. Cell Transplant 2023; 32:9636897231184596. [PMID: 37515536 PMCID: PMC10387781 DOI: 10.1177/09636897231184596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The immense neuroinflammation induced by multiple sclerosis (MS) promotes a favorable environment for ischemic stroke (IS) development, making IS a deadly complication of MS. The overlapping inflammation in MS and IS is a prelude to the vascular pathology, and an inherent cell death mechanism that exacerbates neurovascular unit (NVU) impairment in the disease progression. Despite this consequence, no therapies focus on reducing IS incidence in patients with MS. To this end, the preclinical and clinical evidence we review here argues for cell-based regenerative medicine that will augment the NVU dysfunction and inflammation to ameliorate IS risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Monsour
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jonah Gordon
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Gavin Lockard
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Cesar V Borlongan
- Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery & Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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13
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Chen LK, Zhu ZH, Jia F, Ahmed W, Zhang GL, Wang H, Lin CQ, Chen WH. Neural stem cell-derived exosome as a nano-sized carrier for BDNF delivery to a rat model of ischemic stroke. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:404-409. [PMID: 35900437 PMCID: PMC9396474 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.346466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous study demonstrated the potential therapeutic role of human neural stem cell-derived exosomes (hNSC-Exo) in ischemic stroke. Here, we loaded brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into exosomes derived from NSCs to construct engineered exosomes (BDNF-hNSC-Exo) and compared their effects with those of hNSC-Exo on ischemic stroke both in vitro and in vivo. In a model of H2O2-induced oxidative stress in NSCs, BDNF-hNSC-Exo markedly enhanced cell survival. In a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model, BDNF-hNSC-Exo not only inhibited the activation of microglia, but also promoted the differentiation of endogenous NSCs into neurons. These results suggest that BDNF can improve the function of NSC-derived exosomes in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Our research may support the clinical use of other neurotrophic factors for central nervous system diseases.
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14
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Zhao T, Zhu T, Xie L, Li Y, Xie R, Xu F, Tang H, Zhu J. Neural Stem Cells Therapy for Ischemic Stroke: Progress and Challenges. Transl Stroke Res 2022; 13:665-675. [PMID: 35032307 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-022-00984-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke, with its high morbidity and mortality, is the most common cerebrovascular accident and results in severe neurological deficits. Despite advances in medical and surgical intervention, post-stroke therapies remain scarce, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Over the past decades, stem cell transplantation has been recognized as very promising therapy for neurological diseases. Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation is the optimal choice for ischemic stroke as NSCs inherently reside in the brain and can potentially differentiate into a variety of cell types within the central nervous system. Recent research has demonstrated that NSC transplantation can facilitate neural recovery after ischemic stroke, but the mechanisms still remain unclear, and basic/clinical studies of NSC transplantation for ischemic stroke have not yet been thoroughly elucidated. We thus, in this review, provide a futher understanding of the therapeutic role of NSCs for ischemic stroke, and evaluate their prospects for future application in clinical patients of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Tongming Zhu
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, National Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Liqian Xie
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, National Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Yao Li
- Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Rong Xie
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, National Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, National Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Hailiang Tang
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, National Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Jianhong Zhu
- Fudan University Huashan Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, National Center for Neurological Disorders, National Key Laboratory for Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Regeneration, Institutes of Brain Science, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College-Fudan University, No.12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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15
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Pereira MCL, Boese AC, Murad R, Yin J, Hamblin MH, Lee JP. Reduced dopaminergic neuron degeneration and global transcriptional changes in Parkinson's disease mouse brains engrafted with human neural stems during the early disease stage. Exp Neurol 2022; 352:114042. [PMID: 35271839 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current stem cell therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) focus on a neurorestorative approach that aims to repair the CNS during the symptomatic phase. However, the pleiotropic and supportive effects of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) may make them effective for PD treatment during the disease's earlier stages. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of transplanting hNSCs during the early stages of PD development when most dopaminergic neurons are still present and before symptoms appear. Previous studies on hNSCs in Parkinson's disease focus on the substantia nigra and its immediate surroundings, but other brain structures are affected in PD as well. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of hNSCs on the entire PD-afflicted brain transcriptome using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). METHODS PD was induced with a single intranasal infusion of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and hNSCs were transplanted unilaterally into the striatum one week later. The timepoint for hNSC transplantation coincided with upregulation of endogenous proinflammatory cytokines in the CNS, which play a role in stem cell migration. At 3 weeks post-transplantation (4 weeks post-MPTP), we assessed motor symptoms through behavioral tests, quantified dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and performed global transcriptional profiling to understand the mechanism underlying the effect of hNSCs on dopaminergic neuron degeneration. RESULTS We found that early hNSC engraftment mitigated motor symptoms induced by MPTP, and also reduced MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we uniquely presented the first comprehensive analysis of the effect of hNSC transplantation on the transcriptional profiling of PD mouse brains showing decreased expression of 249 and increased expression of 200 genes. These include genes implicated in mitochondrial bioenergetics, proteostasis, and other signaling pathways associated with improved PD outcome following hNSC transplantation. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that NSC transplantation during the asymptomatic phase of PD may limit or halt the progression of this neurodegenerative disorder. Transcriptional profiling of hNSC-engrafted PD mouse brains provides mechanistic insight that could lead to novel approaches to ameliorating degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and improving behavioral dysfunction in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia C L Pereira
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Austin C Boese
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Rabi Murad
- Bioinformatics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jun Yin
- Bioinformatics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Milton H Hamblin
- Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Jean-Pyo Lee
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
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