Effects of local administration of allogenic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on functional recovery in experimental traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in paediatric patients after the first year of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of locally administered allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), in the acute period after a TBI.

Methodology: MSC were isolated from peritoneal fat of healthy rats, expanded in vitro and labelled with the green fluorescent protein. Rats were placed in one of three experimental groups: (1) Control: TBI, (2) IP-Control: TBI + local saline and (3) IP-Treat: TBI + 2 × 10⁵ MSC 24 hours after receiving a moderate, unilateral, controlled cortical impact. Motor and cognitive behavioural tests were performed to evaluate functional recovery. Histological examination and immunohistochemistry were used to identify cell distribution.

Main results: Improved performance was found on motor tests in the MSC-treated group compared to control groups. MSC were found in the perilesional area and their number decreased with time after transplantation. MSC treatment increased the cell density in the hippocampus (CA3 pyramidal cells and granule cells in the dentate gyrus) and enhanced neurogenesis in this area.

Conclusion: MSC cell therapy resulted in better recovery of motor function compared with the control group. This cellular therapy might be considered for patients suffering from TBI.

• Animal model
• cell therapy
• neurogenesis
• children
• MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells)
• pediatric intensive care medicine
• TBI (traumatic brain injury)

Acknowledgements

We greatly appreciate advice from Lucía Molina Castillo for her language assistance.

Declaration of interest

This study was supported by grants from Fundación Mutua Madrileña and Fundación ACS. The funding played no role in the design of the study, collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.