Effect of intracerebral transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells on pial microcirculation in rats.

We studied the effect of intracerebral transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on microcirculation (density of microvascular network and reactivity of arterioles) in the pia mater of 2-3-month-old rats. It was found that after transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells, the density of pial microcirculatory network in the contralateral hemisphere significantly increased (by 1.7 times; p<0.05) in comparison with both intact animals and controls. The number of arterioles in the studied area increased most markedly (by ≈2.5 times; p<0.05) in comparison with other groups. Intracerebral transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells or conditioned culture medium (α-MEM) had no effect on reactivity of pial arterioles.

[First experience of the study "Intramyocardial Multiple Precision Administration of Mononuclear Bone Marrow Cells in the Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia"].

Study aim - to elucidate possibilities of the use of precision administration of mononuclear bone marrow cells (MBMC) for the treatment of myocardial ischemia and heart failure. "Intramyocardial Multiple Precision Administration of Mononuclear Bone Marrow Cells in the Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia" was a double blind randomized placebo controlled study in which we included patients more or equal 6 months after Q-wave myocardial infarction with systolic myocardial dysfunction (ejection fraction <35%), not requiring myocardial revascularization, receiving stable optimal medical therapy for more or equal 8 weeks, and with implanted cardioverter-defibrillator. Transplantation of MBMC was guided by fluoroscopy and tridimensional NOGA XP Cardiac Navigation System. For assessment of efficacy of the method we used surrogate end points: decrease of number of fixed perfusion defects according to SPECT data and improvement of regional myocardial contractility according to data of echocardiography. Results of dynamic observation of the first experience of MBMC administration are presented in this paper.

[The effect of intracerebral mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on the density of microvascular network of the pial matter of the rat brain cortex].

Using a TV installation for studying the microcirculation (with 30-160-fold magnification), the density of microvascular network in the pia matter of the rat brain sensomotor cortex was determined after intracerebral transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or (as control) of the MSC cultivation nutrition medium, or of saline. The results have shown that intracerebral transplantation does not change density of microvascular network in the pia mater of the ipsilateral hemisphere. Transplantation of the MSC led to a 1.8-fold increase of density of the pia matter of the contralateral hemisphere as compared with control animals; the number of arterioles in the same zone was 2.5-fold higher than in intact rats.

Arteriogenesis in the pia matter of the rat brain cortex after intracerebral injection of mesenchymal stem cells.

We studied the effect of intracerebral transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells on the density of pial arterioles in rat brain cortex. It was shown that intracerebral transplantation although causes damage to about half the area of the ipsilateral pia mater, does not change the density of the microvascular network neither in border region of the injured tissue, nor in the contralateral hemisphere. Intracerebral transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells promoted arteriogenesis in the pia mater of the contralateral hemisphere: density of arterioles in this area was significantly (by about 2.5 times higher) than in other experimental animals.

[Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in multiple sclerosis].

To assess safety and tolerability of treatment with autologic multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in multiple sclerosis (MS), we have obtained autologic red bone marrow-derived MSC from 8 patients. Proliferation, immunophenotype and caryotype of MSC, their sterility, the absence of hemopoetic cells, chromosomal aberrations and signs of aging were controlled during the cell growth. The inverse injection of MSC in patient's blood was conducted in accordance to the elaborated protocol in a short intravenous infusion in dose 2.0 x 10(6)/kg of body mass once in 30 days. The duration of treatment was from 4 to 8 months. The efficacy of treatment was assessed after 4, 8 and 12 months. All patients tolerated repeated intravenous infusions of autologic MSC well with no significant side-effects as in the early as well in the remote periods of treatment. The distinct positive effect was seen in some cases 2 months after the beginning of treatment. The improvement of 0.5 point on EDSS was seen in 5/8 patients after 4 months. After 12 months, the improvement of 0.5-1 point on EDSS was seen in 6/8, stabilization in 1/8, progression in 1/8. These results revealed the safety of the elaborated protocol of treatment and the moderate clinical efficacy of treatment in non-curable patients or those with poor response to treatment that suggested continuing the study and enrollment of new patients.

[Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation influences upon dynamics of morphological changes in rat brain after stroke].

Study of dynamic morphological changes if the brain after ischemic stroke is an important phase of pre-clinical trial of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for this widespread disease. Experoments were carried out in inbred Wistar-Kyoto rats. MSCs were isolated, expanded in culture and labeled with vital fluorescent dye PKH26. Animals were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by injection of 5 x 10(6) rat MSCs into the tail vein on the day of MCAO. Control group of animals received PBS injection (negative control). Animals were sacrificed in 1, 2, 3 and 5 days and in 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after operation. MSCs were revealed in the brain on the third day transplantation. They distributed around brain vessels in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. This pattern of distribution remained unchanged during 6 weeks of observation. It was demonstrated that inflammation process and scar formation in the experimental group progressed 25-30 % faster than in the control group. MSC transplantation stimulated endogenous stem cell proliferation on the subependimal zone of lateral ventricles (subventrecular zone). What is more, MSC injection showed neuroprotective effect: almost all penumbra neurons in animals treated with cell therapy retained their normal structure, whereas in animals of control group penumbra neurons died or had signs of serious damage.