Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor enhances the neuroprotective effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in ischemic stroke.

ABSTRACT: Although bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) might have therapeutic potency in ischemic stroke, the benefits are limited. The current study investigated the effects of BMSCs engineered to overexpress vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on behavioral defects in a rat model of transient cerebral ischemia, which was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. VEGF-BMSCs or control grafts were injected into the left striatum of the infarcted hemisphere 24 hours after stroke. We found that compared with the stroke-only group and the vehicle- and BMSCs-control groups, the VEGF-BMSCs treated animals displayed the largest benefits, as evidenced by attenuated behavioral defects and smaller infarct volume 7 days after stroke. Additionally, VEGF-BMSCs greatly inhibited destruction of th

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9838145 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature