Cell therapy has emerged as a potential new treatment to reduce injury and improve outcome after ischemic stroke. Several studies have demonstrated that mononuclear cells (MNCs) from bone marrow are safe and enhance recovery in animal stroke models. This grant proposal aims to define specific mechanisms by which MNCs reduce neurological deficits using a variety of in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke. Our preliminary data indicate that MNCs are cytoprotective and reduce pro-inflammatory responses in the post-ischemic brain.
In Specific Aim 1, we first will determine which cell populations within MNCs are critical to reduce neurological deficits, lesion size, and pro-inflammatory responses after stroke.
In Specific Aim 2, we will test the hypothesis that MNCs release the cytokines, IL-10 and IGF-1, which lead to neuroprotection and modulation of microglia.
Aim 2 A will focus on the hypothesis that both cytokines, secreted by MNCs, directly protect neurons in in vitro models of hypoxia and directly reduce injury in an animal model of stroke.
Aim 2 B addresses the hypothesis that MNCs activate and change microglia to become anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective after stroke. We hypothesize that IL-10 and IGF-1 are key factors in the capacity of MNCs to modulate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of microglia after stroke. Our proposed studies would be the first step to elucidate specific pathways mediating the protective effects of MNCs in the post-ischemic brain and are critical to develop MNCs as a potential treatment for ischemic stroke, a condition for which there is an enormous public health need for more and improved therapies.

Public Health Relevance

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability but there is only one approved therapy with limited effectiveness for this devastating condition. Cellular therapy is a promising new approach to improve stroke recovery. This application proposes to define underlying mechanisms by which autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells improve outcome after stroke. The data from these proposed experiments are essential to better develop this new therapeutic approach to enhance recovery from stroke.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS071127-01A1
Application #
8105840
Study Section
Brain Injury and Neurovascular Pathologies Study Section (BINP)
Program Officer
Bosetti, Francesca
Project Start
2011-04-01
Project End
2016-02-29
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$328,125
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771594
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77225
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Yang, Bing; Parsha, Kaushik; Schaar, Krystal et al. (2016) Cryopreservation of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells Alters Their Viability and Subpopulation Composition but Not Their Treatment Effects in a Rodent Stroke Model. Stem Cells Int 2016:5876836
Yang, Bing; Parsha, Kaushik; Schaar, Krystal et al. (2016) Various Cell Populations Within the Mononuclear Fraction of Bone Marrow Contribute to the Beneficial Effects of Autologous Bone Marrow Cell Therapy in a Rodent Stroke Model. Transl Stroke Res 7:322-30
Vahidy, Farhaan S; Rahbar, Mohammad H; Zhu, Hongjian et al. (2016) Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells in Animal Models of Ischemic Stroke. Stroke 47:1632-9
Savitz, Sean I (2015) Developing Cellular Therapies for Stroke. Stroke 46:2026-31
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Yang, Bing; Migliati, Elton; Parsha, Kaushik et al. (2013) Intra-arterial delivery is not superior to intravenous delivery of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke 44:3463-72
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Savitz, Sean I (2013) Cell therapies: careful translation from animals to patients. Stroke 44:S107-9
Yang, Bing; Xi, Xiaopei; Aronowski, Jaroslaw et al. (2012) Ischemic stroke may activate bone marrow mononuclear cells to enhance recovery after stroke. Stem Cells Dev 21:3332-40