Growth factor therapy sequesters inflammation in affording neuroprotection in cerebrovascular diseases

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated the key role of inflammation in the progression of cerebrovascular diseases. Inflammation can persist over prolonged period of time after the initial insult providing a wider therapeutic window. Despite the acute endogenous upregulation of many growth factors after the injury, it is not sufficient to protect against inflammation and to regenerate the brain. Therapeutic approaches targeting both dampening inflammation and enhancing growth factors are likely to provide beneficial outcomes in cerebrovascular disease.

Areas covered: In this mini review, we discuss major growth factors and their beneficial properties to combat the inflammation in cerebrovascular diseases. Emerging biotechnologies which facilitate the therapeutic effects of growth factors are also presented in an effort to provide insights into the future combination therapies incorporating both central and peripheral abrogation of inflammation.

Expert commentary: Many studies discussed in this review have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of growth factors in treating cerebrovascular diseases. It is unlikely that one growth factor can be used to treat these complex diseases. Combination of growth factors and anti-inflammatory modulators may clinically improve outcomes for patients. In particular, transplantation of stem cells may be able to achieve both goals of modulating inflammation and upregulating growth factors. Large preclinical studies and multiple laboratory collaborations are needed to advance these findings from bench to bedside.

KEYWORDS:

• Cerebral ischemia
• trauma
• growth factors
• inflammation
• neuroprotection
• biomedical engineering
• stem cells

Declaration of interests

CV Borlongan is supported by National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 1R01NS071956, 1R01NS090962, and 1R21NS089851, Department of Defense W81XWH-11-1-0634, James and Esther King Foundation for Biomedical Research Program, SanBio Inc, KM Pharmaceuticals, NeuralStem Inc, and Karyopharm Inc. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsors. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.