The authors isolated CD34+ cells from human cord blood and injected them into mice within 48 hours of a stroke. These mice experienced increase new blood vessel growth in stoke-damaged region. The CD34+ cells also produced growth factors to aid in neural regeneration. There was also evidence of migration of nerve progenitors into the region of stroke damage. The mice that were treated with CD34+ cells showed improved behavioral characteristics. Of note, if blockers to blood vessel growth were given in addition to the CD34+ cells, all of the benefits of CD34+ treatment were lost. These data provide direct evidence that new blood vessel growth is essential for repairing stroke damage, and provide important information for investigating therapies for this deadly and debilitating affliction.
An accompanying commentary by Daniel Peterson, of the Rosalind Frankllin University of Medicine and Science, places these data into the context of the difficulties of treating stroke victims, and what additional information beyond this study is required to best understand how these data will be useful for understanding and treating stroke patients.
Author contact:
Akihiko Taguchi National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan Phone: 81-6-6833-5012; Fax: 81-6-6872-7485; E-mail: ataguchi@res.ncvc.go.jp View the PDF of this article at: http://www.jci.org/cgi/content/full/114/3/330
Accompanying commentary: Umbilical cord blood cells and brain stroke injury: bringing in fresh blood to address an old problem
Author contact: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Daniel A. Peterson The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA Phone: 847-578-3411; Fax: 847-578-8545; E-mail: daniel.peterson@rosalindfranklin.edu
Journal
Journal of Clinical Investigation