Neuroglial activation in Niemann-Pick Type C mice is suppressed by intracerebral transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Neurosci Lett. 2005 Jun 24;381(3):234-6. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2005.02.029. Epub 2005 Mar 3.

Abstract

Glial activation is thought to play a key role in pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Here we show that direct transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) results in alleviation of inflammatory responses associated with the cerebellum of Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NP-C) model mice. Immunohistochemical examinations using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and F4/80 antibodies revealed that BM-MSC transplantation reduced significantly both of astrocytic and microglial activations in the cerebellum of NP-C mice. Expression of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), a microglial activator, was also considerably down-regulated by the BM-MSC transplantation. These findings suggest that BM-MSC transplantation may have potential for a therapeutic role in the treatment of NP-C and other neurodegenerative brain disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macrophage Activation / physiology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neuroglia / metabolism*
  • Niemann-Pick Diseases / pathology
  • Niemann-Pick Diseases / therapy*

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein