Therapeutic benefit of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stromal cells in intracerebral hemorrhage rat: implications of anti-inflammation and angiogenesis.

Cell-based therapy represents a promising strategy in the treatment of neurological disorders. Human umbilical cord tissue has recently been recognized as an ideal source of mesenchymal stromal cells due to accessibility, vast abundance and safety. Here, an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) rat model was established by injection of bacterial collagenase VII and CM-DiI labeled human umbilical cord tissue derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSC) were intracerebrally transplanted into rat brain 24 h after ICH. The results demonstrated that UC-MSC treatment significantly improved neurological function deficits and decreased injury volume of ICH rats. Leukocytes infiltration, microglial activation, ROS level and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production were substantially reduced in peri-ICH area in cell-treated group as compared with PBS control at day 3 post-transplantation. In addition, UC-MSC treatment significantly increased vascular density in peri-ICH area and transplanted UC-MSC were found to be able to incorporate into cerebral vasculature in ipsilateral hemisphere at 14 days after transplantation. In summary, intracerebral administration of UC-MSC could accelerate neurological function recovery of ICH rat, the underlying mechanism may ascribe to their ability to inhibit inflammation and promote angiogenesis. Thus UC-MSC may provide a potential cell candidate for cell-based therapy in neurological disorders. Copyright (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.