Mesenchymal stem cell-derived neuronal progenitor cells for the treatment of ischemic brain damage

This study aims to test the potential of neuronal progenitor cells, derived from placental mesenchymal stem cells, in treating brain ischemia. First, placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated in-vitro into neuronal progenitor cells. The progenitor cells were then transplanted into four sites in the bilateral striata of the hypoxic-ischemic brain damage rat model (H-I animal model). Transplantation improved motor coordination, as determined by latencies in falling from an accelerating rotarod. In addition, transplanted progenitor cells differentiated in-vivo into tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-expressing dopaminergic neurons, as visualized by immunohistochemistry.