Abstract
Our laboratory is characterizing the mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) for possible therapeutic value. Studies on HUCB cells demonstrated their ability to respond to growth factors by increased expression of neural markers and down regulation of several genes associated with development of blood lines. HUCB cells were also transplanted into the subventricular zone of the developing rat brain. It was found that some of the HUCB cells responded to external factors and were able to adopt neural fates similar to endogenous stem cells. We also tested whether intravenously infused HUCB cells enter brain, survive, differentiate and improve neurological functional recovery after stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. HUCB cells were injected into the tail vein at least 24 h after stroke or TBI. Behavioral impairments were significantly improved as early as 14 days in both TBI and stroke animals, compared to controls. Injected cells entered brain and migrated into the parenchyma of the injured brain. Some of these expressed neuronal, astrocytic, or endothelial markers. Our data suggest that intravenous administration of HUCB cells can provide neural stem cells, and may be a useful treatment for brain repair.Acknowledgements: Supported by Saneron CCEL Therapeutics, Inc. and a FL Hi‐Tech Corridor Grant.
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