Encapsulated native and glucagon-like peptide-1 transfected human mesenchymal stem cells in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT

Encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells(MSC) are studied in a double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) after intraventricular implantation at 3 months of age. Abeta 40/42 deposition, and glial (GFAP) and microglial (CD11b) immunoreactivity were investigated 2 months after transplantation of either native MSC or MSC transfected with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). CD11b immunostaining in the frontal lobes was significantly decreased in the GLP-1 MSC group compared to the untreated controls. Also, the plaque associated GFAP immunoreactivity was only observed in one of four animals in the GLP-1 MSC group. Abeta 40 whole brain ELISA was decreased in the MSC group 86.06±5.2 pg/ml (untreated control) vs. 78.67±11.2 pg/ml (GLP-1 MSC group) vs.70.9±11.1 pg/ml (MSC group, p<0.05). Intraventricular transplantation of native and GLP-1 transfected MSC has been shown effective. Decreased amyloid deposition or suppression of glial and microglial responses were observed. However, encapsulation of MSC may alter their biological activity.