Title:The Multiple Aspects of Stroke and Stem Cell Therapy
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):B. Onteniente
Affiliation:I-Stem, INSERM UMR861/UEVE/CECS, 5 rue Henri Desbrueres, F – 91030 Evry cedex, France.
Keywords:Cell replacement therapy, cerebral ischemia, intracerebral transplantation, neuroprotection,
neurovascular diseases, regenerative medicine.
Abstract:Cumulative evidence shows that transplantation of stem cells (SC) derivatives can reduce the
functional deficits induced by cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage in animals. Most SC sources have been
applied to stroke models, with varying degrees of differentiation into neural derivatives and in varying number,
timing and route of administration, with similar benefits on functional outcome. Pioneering clinical trials
developed in parallel, and currently outnumber other applications of SC in neurological disorders. These trials
reflect a paradigm shift from cell replacement therapy to disease-modeling effects, with increased used of nonneural
SC. This shift stems in experimental demonstration of paracrine effects of SC that attenuate
inflammation, limit cell death through neurotrophic effects, and enhance endogenous recovery processes. Due
to its pathogenic characteristics, stroke can uniquely benefit from this variety of actions.
