Mesenchymal stem cells transfer mitochondria into cerebral microvasculature and promote recovery from ischemic stroke

In this study, the middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion surgery were conducted on rats, and mesenchymal stem cells were then engrafted into the injured cerebrovascular system. Our results showed that the host cells of injured cerebral microvasculature accepted the mitochondria transferred from the transplanted stem cells, thereby resulting in significantly improving in mitochondrial activity of injured microvasculature, enhancing angiogenesis, reducing infarct volume, and improving functional recovery. Our data provided the evidence that stem cells can rescue damaged cerebrovascular system in stroke through a mechanism not yet identified.
Source: Microvascular Research - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research