TLR4 /NF-ĸB and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways: Cellular signaling pathways targeted by cell-conditioned medium therapy in protection against ischemic stroke.

Human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (hAMSC-CM) has been known to improve neuronal survival following ischemic stroke. The present study was designed to examine whether protective effects of hAMSC-CM against stroke can be linked to reducing neuroinflamation by targeting TLR4 /NF-ĸB and Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathways. Immunohistochemistry of hippocampus and western blot assay were performed to evaluate the expression of TLR4 /NF-ĸB and Jak2/Stat3, respectively. Real-time PCR assay was applied to investigate the mRNA levels of Jak2/Stat3. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to investigate tissue damage and morphological changes in the CA1 region of hippocampus. Increased brain edema was seen in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats compared to sham. Post-treatment with hAMSC-CM markedly reduced brain edema in comparison with MCAO group (P < 0.05). Compared to sham, significantly increased levels of TLR4 /NF-ĸB and Jak2/Stat3 were seen in MCAO rats. Intravenous injection of hAMSC-CM after reperfusion markedly reduced levels of TLR4 /NF-ĸB and Jak2/Stat3 in hippocampus region (P < 0.05). Tissue damage and neuronal cell increased in the CA1 region of hippocampus that reversed by post-treatment by hAMSC-CM. Interestingly, our finding showed that hAMSC-CM can be considered as good candidate to reduce injury following ischemic stroke by decreasing activity of TLR4 /NF-ĸB and Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathways.

Conditioned medium obtained from mesenchymal stem cells attenuates focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury through activation of ERK1/ERK2-BDNF signaling pathway.

Previous studies have shown that conditioned medium (CM) obtained from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might exert neuroprotective effects against focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study was conducted to investigate if CM obtained from MSCs gives rise to neuroprotection by targeting neurogenesis. To induce focal cerebral ischemia in rats, middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded for 1 h and the amniotic mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (AMSC-CM) at the dose of 0.5 µl was administered 30 min after reperfusion by stereotactic intracerebral infusion. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: sham operated animals received all procedures except occlusion of MCA (sham, n = 12), I/R group only received occlusion of MCA (MCAO, n = 17), treatment group received MCAO + 0.5 µl of AMSC-CM (MCAO + AMSC-CM, n = 17). The expression of Phospho-ERK1/ERK2, BDNF, VEGF and NGF were determined using immunohistochemical assay. Neuronal loss and DNA fragmentation were evaluated by Nissl and TUNEL assay, respectively. Our results demonstrated that the expression of Phospho-ERK1/ERK2 and BDNF, VEGF and NGF significantly decreased in MCAO rats and was reversed by AMSC-CM. Likewise, AMSC-CM markedly reduced neuronal loss and DNA fragmentation at 24 h after reperfusion. In sum, our study showed that AMSC-CM administration at the onset of reperfusion led to neuroprotection by activating neuronal ERK1/ERK2-BDNF signaling pathway, neurogenesis, angiogenesis as well as suppression of apoptosis.

The membrane mesenchymal stem cell derived conditioned medium exerts neuroprotection against focal cerebral ischemia by targeting apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: The mesenchymal stem cells derived from human amniotic membrane have the ability to secrete and release some factors that can promote the repair of damaged tissues. This secretome contains proteins and factors that reduce apoptosis and increase angiogenesis in the ischemia/reperfusion models. The present study was conducted to determine whether this secretome provides protection against transient focal cerebral ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established through middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min and 24 h reperfusion. The amniotic mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (AMSC-CM) at the dose of 0.5 µl was injected intracerebroventriculary (ICV) 30 min after reperfusion. Infarct volume, brain edema, neurobehavioral functions, and blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity were assessed 24 h after reperfusion. Neuronal loss and expression of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 in motor cortex were evaluated by nissl staining and immunohistochemistry assay respectively. RESULTS: ICV administration of AMSC-CM markedly reduced infarct volume, brain edema and the evans blue penetration rate compared with MCAO group (P < 0.05). Additionally, post-treatment with AMSC-CM significantly reduced neuronal loss, neurological motor disorders and expression of caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 in motor cortex compared with MCAO group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that treatment with AMSC-CM improves the pathological effects in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia. These findings establish a substantial foundation for stroke therapy and future research.

Normobaric Hyperoxia Preconditioning Induces Changes in the Brain Lipidome.

Recent investigations have demonstrated that normobaric hyperoxia induces neuroprotection against ischemic injury. The aim of study was to determine the survey of HO (hyperoxia) preconditioning on brain lipidome.The animals were assigned into three groups, the first experimental group was exposed to 95% inspired HO for 4 h /day for six consecutive days. The second experimental group considered as the control group and was exposed to 21% oxygen as room air (RA) in the same chamber. The third group acted as sham, which was under the stress of surgery condition without ischemia. The first two groups were divided into 2 subgroups, intact (without any surgery) and middle cerebral artery occlusion- operated (MCAO). Twenty-four hours after exposure to hyperoxia, MCAO subgroups were subjected to 60 min of right middle cerebral artery occlussion. After 24 h reperfusion, infarct volume (IV) and neurological deficit score (NDS) were assessed in MCAO subgroup. Brain lipidomics were measured in the intact subgroup. Preconditioning with HO significantly reduced NDS and IV and elevated the level of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), sphingomyelin (SM), cholesterol ester (CE), cholesterol (Chol), phosphatidylcholine (PC), triglyceride (TG) and cerebroside (CB) in the brain as compared with the control (sham and RA). HO preconditioning, significantly decreased the brain ceramide (Cer) and lyso- phosphatidylcholine (Lyso-PC or LPC) levels. Preconditioning with HO decreases brain ischemia injury via changes in brain lipidomics and significantly decreases the brain ceramides (CER).Although more studies are required to explain the mechanisms of time course of neuroprotection, HO preconditioning partly decreases brain ischemia injury via changes in brain lipidome.