Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth enhance recovery from focal cerebral ischemia in rats

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) after permanent MCAO (pMCAO).Materials and methodsAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to pMCAO. After pMCAO, SHED was transplanted into the brain. Motor function and infarct volume were evaluated. Neurogenesis and vasculogenesis were determined using immunochemical markers.ResultsThe SHED group had more positive signals for doublecortin, neurofilament, anti-neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and rat endothelial cell antigen-1 (RECA1) in the peri-infarct area than the PBS group. Migration of doublecortin-positive neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from subventricular zone (SVZ) to the peri-infarct area was observed on day 16. Transplanted SHED merged vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) positive cells.ConclusionSHED promoted migration and differentiation of the endogenous NPCs and induced vasculogenesis, and ameliorated ischemic brain injury after pMCAO in rats.