Neural Stem Cells Transfected with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Promote Neuroprotection in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia

AbstractLeukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) contributes to the neuroprotection by neural stem cells (NSCs) after ischemic stroke. Our aim was to explore whether LIF-transfected NSCs (LIF-NSCs) can ameliorate brain injury and promote neuroprotection in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. To accomplish this goal, we transfected NSCs with a lentivirus carrying the LIF gene to stably overexpress LIF. The LIF-NSCs reduced caspase 3 activation under conditions of oxygen-glucose deprivationin vitro. Transient cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by 2  h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), and LIF-NSCs were intravenously injected at 6 h post-ischemia. LIF-NSC treatment reduced the infarction volume and improved neurological recovery. Moreover, LIF-NSCs improved glial cell regeneration and ameliorated white matter injury in the MCAo rats . The NSCs acted as carriers and increased the expression of LIF in the lesions to protect against cerebral infarction, suggesting that LIF-NSCs could be a potential treatment for cerebral infarction.
Source: Neuroscience Bulletin - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research