Stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promote brain repair and improve cognitive function through VEGF-A in a mouse model of CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarct and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a cerebral small vascular disease caused by NOTCH3 gene mutation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), leading to ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. To date, the pathogenesis of CADASIL remains poorly understood, and there is no treatment that can slow the progression of CADASIL. Using a transgenic mouse model of CADASIL (TgNotch3R90C), this study reveals novel findings for understanding CADASIL pathogenesis that decreased cerebral vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF/VEGF-A) is linked to reduced cerebral blood vessel density. Reduced endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and angiogenesis are seen in TgNotch3R90C mouse brain-isolated ECs. Decreased dendrites, axons, and synapses in the somatosensory and motor cortex layer 2/3 and in the hippocampal CA1, and reduced neurogenesis in both the subventricular zone and subgranular zone occur in 15-month-old TgNotch3R90C mice. These reductions in neuron structures, synapses, and neurogenesis are significantly correlated to decreased cerebral vasculature in the corresponding areas. Impaired spatial learning and memory in TgNotch3R90C mice are significantly correlated with the reduced cerebral vasculature, neuron structures, and synapses. Repeated treatment of stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (SCF+G-CSF) at 9 and 10 months of age improves cognitive function, increases cerebral VEGF/VEGF-A, restores cerebral vasculature, and enhances regeneration of neuronal structures, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis in TgNotch3R90C mice. Pretreatment with Avastin, an angiogenesis inhibitor by neutralizing VEGF-A, completely eliminates the SCF+G-CSF-enhanced cognitive function, vascular and neuronal structure regeneration, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis in TgNotch3R90C mice. SCF+G-CSF-enhanced EC proliferation and angiogenesis in TgNotch3R90C mouse brain-isolated ECs are also blocked by Avastin pretreatment. These data suggest that SCF+G-CSF treatment may repair Notch3R90C mutation-damaged brain through the VEGF-A-mediated angiogenesis. This study provides novel insight into the involvement of VEGF/VEGF-A in the pathogenesis of CADASIL and sheds light on the mechanism underlying the SCF+G-CSF-enhanced brain repair in CADASIL.

Stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor exhibit therapeutic effects in a mouse model of CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), a Notch3 dominant mutation-induced cerebral small vascular disease, is characterized by progressive degeneration of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) of small arteries in the brain, leading to recurrent ischemic stroke, vascular dementia and death. To date, no treatment can stop or delay the progression of this disease. Herein, we determined the therapeutic effects of stem cell factor (SCF) in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (SCF+G-CSF) in a mouse model of CADASIL carrying the human mutant Notch3 gene. SCF+G-CSF was subcutaneously administered for 5 days and repeated 4 times with 1-4 month intervals. We found through water maze testing that SCF+G-CSF treatment improved cognitive function. SCF+G-CSF also attenuated vSMC degeneration in small arteries, increased cerebral blood vascular density, and inhibited apoptosis in CADASIL mice. We also discovered that loss of cerebral capillary endothelial cells and neural stem cells/neural progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) occurred in CADASIL mice. SCF+G-CSF treatment inhibited the CADASIL-induced cell loss in the endothelia and NSCs/NPCs and promoted neurogenesis. In an in vitro model of apoptosis, SCF+G-CSF prevented apoptotic cell death in vSMCs through AKT signaling and by inhibiting caspase-3 activity. These data suggest that SCF+G-CSF restricts the pathological progression of CADASIL. This study offers new insights into developing therapeutic strategies for CADASIL.

Single cell RNA sequencing reveals immunomodulatory effects of stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice.

Alzheimers disease leads to progressive neurodegeneration and dementia. Alzheimers disease primarily affects older adults with neuropathological changes including amyloid beta deposition, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. We have previously demonstrated that systemic treatment with combined stem cell factor, SCF, and granulocyte colony stimulating factor, GCSF, reduces amyloid beta load, increases amyloid beta uptake by activated microglia and macrophages, reduces neuroinflammation, and restores dendrites and synapses in the brains of aged APP-PS1 mice. However, the mechanisms underlying SCF-GCSF-enhanced brain repair in aged APP-PS1 mice remain unclear. This study used a transcriptomic approach to identify potential mechanisms by which SCF-GCSF treatment modulates microglia and peripheral myeloid cells to mitigate Alzheimers disease pathology in the aged brain. After injections of SCF-GCSF for 5 consecutive days, single cell RNA sequencing was performed on CD11b positive cells isolated from the brains of 28-month-old APP-PS1 mice. The vast majority of cell clusters aligned with transcriptional profiles of microglia in various activation states. However, SCF-GCSF treatment dramatically increased a cell population showing upregulation of marker genes related to peripheral myeloid cells. Flow cytometry data also revealed an SCF-GCSF-induced increase of cerebral CD45high-CD11b positive active phagocytes. SCF-GCSF treatment robustly increased the transcription of genes implicated in immune cell activation, including gene sets that regulate inflammatory processes and cell migration. Expression of S100a8 and S100a9 were robustly enhanced following SCF-GCSF treatment in all CD11b positive cell clusters. Moreover, the topmost genes differentially expressed with SCF-GCSF treatment were largely upregulated in S100a8-S100a9 positive cells, suggesting a well-conserved transcriptional profile related to SCF-GCSF treatment in resident and peripherally derived CD11b positive immune cells. This S100a8-S100a9-associated transcriptional profile contained notable genes related to proinflammatory and antiinflammatory responses, neuroprotection, and amyloid beta plaque inhibition or clearance. Altogether, this study reveals immunomodulatory effects of SCF-GCSF treatment in the aged brain with Alzheimers disease pathology, which will guide future studies to further uncover the therapeutic mechanisms.

Hematopoietic growth factors Regulate Entry of Monocytes into the Adult Brain via Chemokine Receptor CCR5.

Monocytes are circulating macrophage precursors and are generated from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. In the adults, monocytes continuously replenish cerebral border-associated macrophages under a physiological condition. Monocytes also rapidly infiltrate into the brain in the settings of pathological conditions. The mechanisms of recruiting monocyte-derived macrophages into the brain under pathological conditions have been extensively studied. However, it remains unclear how monocytes enter the brain for renewal of border-associated macrophages under the physiological condition. Using both in vitro and in vivo approaches, this study reveals that the combination of two hematopoietic growth factors, stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), complementarily and synergistically enhances adhesion of monocytes to cerebral endothelial cells in a dose dependent manner. Cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in brain endothelial cells, but not cell adhesion molecules mediating neuroinflammation-related infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages, modulates the SCF+G-CSF-enhanced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Blocking CCR5 or genetically deleting CCR5 reduces monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion induced by SCF+G-CSF. SCF+G-CSF-enhanced recruitment of bone marrow-derived monocytes/macrophages in cerebral perivascular space is also reduced in adult CCR5 knockout mice. This study demonstrates the contribution of SCF and G-CSF in regulating the entry of monocytes into the adult brain to replenish perivascular macrophages.

Stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promote neuronal lineage commitment of neural stem cells.

Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were originally discovered as growth factors for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). It has been well defined that SCF and G-CSF contribute to regulation of lineage commitment for HSCs. However, little is known about whether SCF and G-CSF play roles in the determination and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Here we demonstrate the novel function of SCF and G-CSF in controlling cell cycle and cell fate determination of NSCs. We also observe that SCF and G-CSF promote neuronal differentiation and inhibit astroglial differentiation at the early stage of differentiation. In addition, our research data reveal that SCF in combination with G-CSF has a dual function in promoting cell cycle exit and directing neuronal fate commitment at the stage of NSC dividing. This coordination effect of SCF+G-CSF on cell cycle arrest and neuronal differentiation is through enhancing neurogenin 1 (Ngn1) activity. These findings extend current knowledge regarding the role of SCF and G-CSF in the regulation of neurogenesis and provide insights into the contribution of hematopoietic growth factors to brain development and remodeling.

Stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promote remyelination in the chronic phase of severe traumatic brain injury.

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes long-term disability and death in young adults. White matter is vulnerable to TBI damage. Demyelination is a major pathological change of white matter injury after TBI. Demyelination which is characterized by myelin sheath disruption and oligodendrocyte cell death leads to long-term neurological function deficits. Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colonyâ€"stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatments have shown neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects in the subacute and chronic phases of experimental TBI. Our previous study has revealed that combined SCF and G-CSF treatment (SCF+G-CSF) enhances myelin repair in the chronic phase of TBI. However, the long-term effect and mechanism of SCF+G-CSF-enhanced myelin repair remain unclear. In this study, we uncovered persistent and progressive myelin loss in the chronic phase of severe TBI. SCF+G-CSF treatment in the chronic phase of severe TBI enhanced remyelination in the ipsilateral external capsule and striatum. The SCF+G-CSF-enhanced myelin repair is positively correlated with the proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the subventricular zone. These findings reveal the therapeutic potential of SCF+G-CSF in myelin repair in the chronic phase of severe TBI and shed light on the mechanism underlying SCF+G-CSF-enhanced remyelination in chronic TBI.

Stem Cell Factor and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Promote Remyelination in the Chronic Phase of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes long-term disability and death in young adults. White matter is vulnerable to TBI damage. Demyelination is a major pathological change of white matter injury after TBI. Demyelination, which is characterized by myelin sheath disruption and oligodendrocyte cell death, leads to long-term neurological function deficits. Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatments have shown neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects in the subacute and chronic phases of experimental TBI. Our previous study has revealed that combined SCF and G-CSF treatment (SCF + G-CSF) enhances myelin repair in the chronic phase of TBI. However, the long-term effect and mechanism of SCF + G-CSF-enhanced myelin repair remain unclear. In this study, we uncovered persistent and progressive myelin loss in the chronic phase of severe TBI. SCF + G-CSF treatment in the chronic phase of severe TBI enhanced remyelination in the ipsilateral external capsule and striatum. The SCF + G-CSF-enhanced myelin repair is positively correlated with the proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the subventricular zone. These findings reveal the therapeutic potential of SCF + G-CSF in myelin repair in the chronic phase of severe TBI and shed light on the mechanism underlying SCF + G-CSF-enhanced remyelination in chronic TBI.

Ultrastructural changes in cerebral capillary pericytes in aged Notch3 mutant transgenic mice.

Pericytes, the specialized vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), play an important role in supporting and maintaining the structure of capillaries. Pericytes show biochemical and physiologic features similar to VSMC, usually containing smooth muscle actin fibers and rich endoplasm reticulum. Studies have indicated that degeneration of VSMCs due to Notch3 mutations is the cause of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). However, it remains unclear whether the Notch3 mutation also affects cerebral cortex capillary pericytes. In this ultrastructural morphologic study, the authors have observed pathological changes in the cerebral cortex capillary pericytes in aged mice that carry human mutant Notch3 genes. The number of abnormal pericytes in the cerebral cortex in Notch3 gene mutant mice was slightly increased when compared to an age-matched control group. Morphologically, the pericytes in the brains of Notch3 gene mutant mice showed more severe cellular injury, such as the presence of damaged mitochondria, secondary lysosomes, and large cytoplasmic vesicles. In addition, morphologic structures related to autophagy were also present in the pericytes of Notch3 gene mutant group. These ultrastructural morphologic alterations suggest that Notch3 mutation precipitates age-related pericytic degeneration that might result in cellular injury and trigger autophagic apoptosis. Microvascular dysfunction due to pericyte degeneration could initiate secondary neurodegenerative changes in brain parenchyma. These findings provide new insight into understanding the role of pericyte degeneration in the phathogenesis of CADASIL disease.

Expansive gene transfer in the rat CNS rapidly produces amyotrophic lateral sclerosis relevant sequelae when TDP-43 is overexpressed.

Improved spread of transduction in the central nervous system (CNS) was achieved from intravenous administration of adeno-associated virus serotype-9 (AAV9) to neonatal rats. Spinal lower motor neuron transduction efficiency was estimated to be 78% using the highest vector dose tested at a 12-week interval. The widespread expression could aid studying diseases that affect both the spinal cord and brain, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The protein most relevant to neuropathology in ALS is transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). When expressed in rats, human wild-type TDP-43 rapidly produced symptoms germane to ALS including paralysis of the hindlimbs and muscle wasting, and mortality over 4 weeks that did not occur in controls. The hindlimb atrophy and weakness was evidenced by assessments of rotarod, rearing, overall locomotion, muscle mass, and histology. The muscle wasting suggested denervation, but there was only 14% loss of motor neurons in the TDP-43 rats. Tissues were negative for ubiquitinated, cytoplasmic TDP-43 pathology, suggesting that altering TDP-43's nuclear function was sufficient to cause the disease state. Other relevant pathology in the rats included microgliosis and degenerating neuronal perikarya positive for phospho-neurofilament. The expression pattern encompassed the distribution of neuropathology of ALS, and could provide a rapid, relevant screening assay for TDP-43 variants and other disease-related proteins.

Brain-derived CCR5 Contributes to Neuroprotection and Brain Repair after Experimental Stroke.

Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) is expressed not only in the immune cells but also in cerebral cells such as neurons, glia, and vascular cells. Stroke triggers high expression of CCR5 in the brain. However, the role of CCR5 in stroke remains unclear. In this study, using bone marrow chimeras we have determined the involvement of brain-derived or bone marrow-derived CCR5 in neuroprotection and brain repair after experimental stroke. CCR5-/- mice that received either wild-type (WT) or CCR5-/- bone marrow transplantation showed larger infarction sizes than the WT mice that received either WT or CCR5-/- bone marrow transplantation in both the acute (48h) and subacute (2 months) phases after cerebral cortical ischemia, suggesting that the lack of CCR5 in the brain leads to severe brain damage after stroke. However, the lack of CCR5 in the bone marrow-derived cells did not affect infarction size. The impairments of somatosensory-motor function and motor coordination were exacerbated in the mice lacking CCR5 in the brain. At 2 months post-stroke, increased degenerative neurons, decreased dendrites and synapses, decreased Iba1+ microglia/ macrophages, reduced myelination and CNPase+ oligodendrocytes in the peri-infarct cortex were observed in the mice lacking CCR5 in the brain. These pathological changes are significantly correlated with the increased infarction size and exacerbated neurological deficits. These data suggest that brain-derived CCR5 plays a key role in neuroprotection and brain repair in the subacute phase of stroke. This study reveals a novel role of CCR5 in stroke, which sheds new light on post-stroke pathomechanism.

SCF + G-CSF treatment in the chronic phase of severe TBI enhances axonal sprouting in the spinal cord and synaptic pruning in the hippocampus.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of long-term disability in young adults. An evidence-based treatment for TBI recovery, especially in the chronic phase, is not yet available. Using a severe TBI mouse model, we demonstrate that the neurorestorative efficacy of repeated treatments with stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (SCF + G-CSF) in the chronic phase is superior to SCF + G-CSF single treatment. SCF + G-CSF treatment initiated at 3 months post-TBI enhances contralesional corticospinal tract sprouting into the denervated side of the cervical spinal cord and re-balances the TBI-induced overgrown synapses in the hippocampus by enhancing microglial function of synaptic pruning. These neurorestorative changes are associated with SCF + G-CSF-improved somatosensory-motor function and spatial learning. In the chronic phase of TBI, severe TBI-caused microglial degeneration in the cortex and hippocampus is ameliorated by SCF + G-CSF treatment. These findings reveal the therapeutic potential and possible mechanism of SCF + G-CSF treatment in brain repair during the chronic phase of severe TBI.

Reparative Effects of Stem Cell Factor and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Aged APP/PS1 Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by the accumulation of ß-amyloid (Aß) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease among the elderly. No effective treatment is available now in restricting the pathological progression of AD. The aim of this study is to determine the therapeutic efficacy of stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (SCF+G-CSF) in aged APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice. SCF+G-CSF was subcutaneously injected for 12 days to 25-month-old male APP/PS1 mice. We observed that SCF+G-CSF treatment reduced the Aß plaques in both the cortex and hippocampus. SCF+G-CSF treatment increased the association of TREM2+/Iba1+ cells with Aß plaques and enhanced Aß uptake by Iba1+ and CD68+cells in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice. Importantly, cerebral expression area of P2RY12+and TMEM119+ homeostatic microglia and the branches of P2RY12+ homeostatic microglia were increased in the SCF+G-CSF-treated aged APP/PS1 mice. SCF+G-CSF treatment also decreased NOS-2 and increased IL-4 in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice. Moreover, the loss of MAP2+dendrites and PSD-95+post-synapses and the accumulation of aggregated tau in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice were ameliorated by SCF+G-CSF treatment. Furthermore, the density of P2RY12+ microglia was negatively correlated with Aß deposits, but positively correlated with the densities of MAP2+ dendrites and PSD-95+ puncta in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice. These findings reveal the therapeutic potential of SCF+G-CSF treatment in ameliorating AD pathology at the late stage.

Stem Cell Factor in Combination With Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Protects the Brain From Capillary Thrombosis-Induced Ischemic Neuron Loss in a Mouse Model of CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarct and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a Notch3 mutation-induced cerebral small vessel disease, leading to recurrent ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. There is currently no treatment that can stop or delay CADASIL progression. We have demonstrated the efficacy of treatment with combined stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (SCF+G-CSF) in reducing cerebral small vessel thrombosis in a TgNotch3R90C mouse model of CADASIL. However, it remains unknown whether SCF+G-CSF treatment protects neurons from microvascular thrombosis-induced ischemic damage. Using bone marrow transplantation to track thrombosis, we observed that capillary thrombosis was widely distributed in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus of 22-month-old TgNotch3R90C mice. However, the capillary thrombosis mainly occurred in the cortex. Neuron loss was seen in the area next to the thrombotic capillaries, and severe neuron loss was found in the areas adjacent to the thrombotic capillaries with bifurcations. SCF+G-CSF repeated treatment significantly attenuated neuron loss in the areas next to the thrombotic capillaries in the cortex of the 22-month-old TgNotch3R90C mice. Neuron loss caused by capillary thrombosis in the cerebral cortex may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CADASIL. SCF+G-CSF treatment ameliorates the capillary thrombosis-induced ischemic neuron loss in TgNotch3R90C mice. This study provides new insight into the understanding of CADASIL progression and therapeutic potential of SCF+G-CSF in neuroprotection under microvascular ischemia in CADASIL.

Long-term beneficial effects of hematopoietic growth factors on brain repair in the chronic phase of severe traumatic brain injury.

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the major cause of long-term, even life-long disability and cognitive impairments in young adults. The lack of therapeutic approaches to improve recovery in the chronic phase of severe TBI is a big challenge to the medical research field. Using a single severe TBI model in young adult mice, this study examined the restorative efficacy of two hematopoietic growth factors, stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), on brain repair in the chronic phase of TBI. SCF and G-CSF alone or combination (SCF + G-CSF) treatment was administered at 3 months post-TBI. Functional recovery was evaluated by neurobehavioral tests during the period of 21 weeks after treatment. Neuropathology was examined 22 weeks after treatment. We observed that severe TBI caused persistent impairments in spatial learning/memory and somatosensory-motor function, long-term and widespread neuropathology, including dendritic reduction, decrease and overgrowth of axons, over-generated excitatory synapses, and demyelination in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. SCF, G-CSF, and SCF + G-CSF treatments ameliorated severe TBI-induced widespread neuropathology. SCF + G-CSF treatment showed superior efficacy in improving long-term functional outcome, enhancing neural plasticity, rebalancing neural structure networks disturbed by severe TBI, and promoting remyelination. These novel findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of SCF and G-CSF in enhancing recovery in the chronic phase of severe TBI .

S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A9 Knockout Contributes to Neuroprotection and Functional Improvement after Traumatic Brain Injury.

S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100a9), a proinflammatory protein, has been shown to be involved in the development of neuroinflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Upregulation of S100a9 in the brain during acute brain injury has been proposed to be associated with acute neuroinflammation. However, it remains unclear whether eliminating S100a9 expression will show beneficial outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Using S100a9 knockout mice, this study has demonstrated that S100a9 deletion ameliorates post-TBI anxiety, improves TBI-impaired motor and cognitive function, reduces lesion size, prevents perilesional neuron loss and neurodegeneration, diminishes neuroinflammation and TBI-induced neurogenesis, and enhances perilesional expression of neuroplasticity protein. These findings suggest that S100a9 plays a detrimental role in TBI. Genetic deletion of S100a9 enhances neuroprotection and improves functional outcome after TBI. This study sheds light on the pathological involvement of S100a9 in TBI, which would provide a new therapeutic target to minimize TBI-induced brain damage.

The contribution of stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in reducing neurodegeneration and promoting neurostructure network reorganization after traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in young adults worldwide. TBI-induced long-term cognitive deficits represent a growing clinical problem. Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are involved in neuroprotection and neuronal plasticity. However, the knowledge concerning reparative efficacy of SCF + G-CSF treatment in post-acute TBI recovery remains incomplete. This study aims to determine the efficacy of SCF + G-CSF on post-acute TBI recovery in young adult mice. The controlled cortical impact model of TBI was used for inducing a severe damage in the motor cortex of the right hemisphere in 8-week-old male C57BL mice. SCF + G-CSF treatment was initiated 3 weeks after induction of TBI. Severe TBI led to persistent motor functional deficits (Rota-Rod test) and impaired spatial learning function (water maze test). SCF + G-CSF treatment significantly improved the severe TBI-impaired spatial learning function 6 weeks after treatment. TBI also caused significant increases of Fluoro-Jade C positive degenerating neurons in bilateral frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus, and significant reductions in MAP2+ apical dendrites and overgrowth of SMI312+ axons in peri-TBI cavity frontal cortex and in the ipsilateral hippocampal CA1 at 24 weeks post-TBI. SCF + G-CSF treatment significantly reduced TBI-induced neurodegeneration in the contralateral frontal cortex and hippocampal CA1, increased MAP2+ apical dendrites in the peri-TBI cavity frontal cortex, and prevented TBI-induced axonal overgrowth in both the peri-TBI cavity frontal cortex and ipsilateral hippocampal CA1.These findings reveal a novel pathology of axonal overgrowth after severe TBI and demonstrate a therapeutic potential of SCF + G-CSF in ameliorating severe TBI-induced long-term neuronal pathology, neurostructural network malformation, and impairments in spatial learning.

[Isolation and biological characteristics of exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells].

PURPOSE: To isolate and identify exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) collected by ultracentrifugation. METHODS: Using the limiting dilution technique, human PDLSCs were isolated and expanded. The cell culture supernatant of PDLSCs was collected. Exosomes were collected and purified with a ultracentrifugation method. Biological characteristics of exosomes derived from PDLSCs were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Western blot and nanosight tracing analysis (NTA). RESULTS: Exosomes could be successfully isolated from the supernatant of PDLSCs by a ultracentrifugation method. Under TEM, the PDLSC-derived exosomes exhibited elliptic or saucer-like shape and the central area had lower electron density than the circum area. The PDLSC-derived exosomes could express the common surface adhesion molecules CD9, CD63, CD81 and TSG101. NTA results showed that the collected exosomes had a size around (119±12.1) nm and an approximate concentration of (3.80±0.39)×108 particles/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes derived from PDLSCs can be collected by a ultracentrifugation method, which expresses common membrane proteins and morphological characteristics of exosomes.

Enhancing endogenous capacity to repair a stroke-damaged brain: An evolving field for stroke research.

Stroke represents a severe medical condition that causes stroke survivors to suffer from long-term and even lifelong disability. Over the past several decades, a vast majority of stroke research targets neuroprotection in the acute phase, while little work has been done to enhance stroke recovery at the later stage. Through reviewing current understanding of brain plasticity, stroke pathology, and emerging preclinical and clinical restorative approaches, this review aims to provide new insights to advance the research field for stroke recovery. Lifelong brain plasticity offers the long-lasting possibility to repair a stroke-damaged brain. Stroke impairs the structural and functional integrity of entire brain networks; the restorative approaches containing multi-components have great potential to maximize stroke recovery by rebuilding and normalizing the stroke-disrupted entire brain networks and brain functioning. The restorative window for stroke recovery is much longer than previously thought. The optimal time for brain repair appears to be at later stage of stroke rather than the earlier stage. It is expected that these new insights will advance our understanding of stroke recovery and assist in developing the next generation of restorative approaches for enhancing brain repair after stroke.

Turning Death to Growth: Hematopoietic Growth Factors Promote Neurite Outgrowth through MEK/ERK/p53 Pathway.

Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are the essential hematopoietic growth factors to control hematopoiesis. However, the role of SCF and G-CSF in the central nervous system remains poorly understood. Here, we have demonstrated the involvement of MEK/ERK/p53 signaling in SCF + G-CSF-enhanced neurite extension. Cortical neurons dissected from embryonic rat brains were seeded onto the membranes of transwell inserts, and neurite outgrowth was determined by using both the neurite outgrowth quantification assay kit and immunostaining of ß III tubulin. Quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were used for determining gene and protein expression of ERK and p53, respectively. p53 small interfering RNA (siRNAs) were introduced into neurons for examining the involvement of p53 in SCF + G-CSF-mediated neurite outgrowth. We observed that both SCF and G-CSF alone increased activation of MEK/ERK and gene expression of p53, while SCF + G-CSF synergistically activated the MEK/ERK signaling and upregulated p53 expression. MEK specific inhibitors (PD98059 and U0126) blocked the SCF + G-CSF-increased ERK phosphorylation and p53 gene and protein expression, and the MEK specific inhibitors also eliminated the SCF + G-CSF-promoted neurite outgrowth. p53 siRNAs knocked down the SCF + G-CSF-elevated p53 protein and prevented the SCF + G-CSF-enhanced neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that activation of MEK/ERK/p53 signaling is required for SCF + G-CSF-promoted neurite outgrowth. Through the pro-apoptotic pathway of the MEK/ERK/p53, SCF + G-CSF turns neuronal fate from apoptotic commitment toward neural network generation. This observation provides novel insights into the putative role of SCF + G-CSF in supporting generation of neural connectivity during CNS development and in brain repair under pathological or neurodegenerative conditions.

Brain repair by hematopoietic growth factors in the subacute phase of traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVETraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of long-term disability and death in young adults. The lack of pharmaceutical therapy for post-acute TBI recovery remains a crucial medical challenge. Stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which are 2 key hematopoietic growth factors, have shown neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects in experimental stroke. The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment (SCF + G-CSF) in subacute TBI.METHODSYoung-adult male C57BL mice were subject to TBI in the cortex of the right hemisphere. After TBI induction, mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: a vehicle control group and an SCF + G-CSF treatment group. Mice without TBI served as sham operative controls. Treatment was initiated 2 weeks after TBI induction. SCF (200 µg/kg) and G-CSF (50 µg/kg) or an equal volume of vehicle solution was subcutaneously injected daily for 7 days. A battery of neurobehavioral tests for evaluation of memory and cognitive function (water maze and novel object recognition tests), anxiety (elevated plus maze test), and motor function (Rota-Rod test) was performed during the period of 2-9 weeks after treatment. Neurodegeneration and dendritic density in both hemispheres were determined through histochemistry and immunohistochemistry at 11 weeks posttreatment.RESULTSWater maze testing showed that TBI-impaired spatial learning and memory was restored by SCF + G-CSF treatment. The findings from the elevated plus maze tests revealed that SCF + G-CSF treatment recovered TBI-caused anxiety and risk-taking behavior. There were no significant differences between the treated and nontreated TBI mice in both the Rota-Rod test and novel object recognition test. In the brain sections, the authors observed that widespread degenerating neurons were significantly increased in both hemispheres in the TBI-vehicle control mice. TBI-induced increases in neurodegeneration were significantly reduced by SCF + G-CSF treatment in the contralateral hemisphere, making it no different from that of the sham controls. Dendritic density in the frontal cortex of the contralateral hemisphere was significantly reduced in the TBI-vehicle control mice, whereas SCF + G-CSF-treated TBI mice showed significant increases of the dendritic density in the same brain region. SCF + G-CSF-treated TBI mice also showed a trend toward increasing dendritic density in the contralateral hippocampus.CONCLUSIONSSCF + G-CSF treatment in the subacute phase of TBI restored TBI-impaired spatial learning and memory, prevented posttraumatic anxiety and risk-taking behavior, inhibited TBI-induced neurodegeneration, and enhanced neural network remodeling. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of hematopoietic growth factors for brain repair in the subacute phase of TBI.