Changes in growth factor levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of autism patients after transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the levels of growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with autism, after transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). Twenty patients received two CBMNC intravenous and intrathecal infusions, each followed by two UCMSC intrathecal injections. A 2-mL sample of CSF was taken before each intrathecal injection. CSF levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All data are reported as means ± SD and were analyzed using the SPSS 10.0 software. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc F- and Q-tests was performed for comparison. HGF, BDNF and NGF levels in the CSF were significantly increased after transplantation (P < 0.05), while bFGF levels did not change significantly. Therefore, transplantation of CBMNCs and UCMSCs could increase HGF, BDNF and NGF levels in the CSF of patients with autism.