Study of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Penetrating Blood Brain Barrier in Rat with Cerebral Infarction

Objective: To investigate the penetrability of mesenchymal stem cells'transplantation for blood brain barrier of rat cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 70 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: control group(10), sham-operation group(30), cerebral infarction group(30). The second and third group were divided further into 3 subgroups: P12h(postoperative 12 hours), P24h, P48h. We used Zea Longa'method to do cerebral infarction model(MCAO/R). Sham-operation group also adopted Zea Longa'method, but different point was that nylon thread that inserted into internal carotid artery was pulled out within 1 minute. Cerebral infarction group and sham-operation group at P12h, P24h, P48h, 5×10~6BrdU-labeled mesenchymal stem cells were injected via ipsilateral internal carotid artery. The same dose of the BrdU-labeled mesenchymal stem cells were given to the control group. All rats were killed at 48h after transplantation. BrdU expression was detected by immunohis- tochemistry. Result: BrdU immunohistochemical stain positive cells in the cerebral infarction group were significantly more than that in the sham-operation group (P<0.01). Positive cells mainly located around the infarct brain in cerebral infarction group. Control group didn't find out positive cells in brain. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cells can penetrate blood brain barrier of rats with cerebral infarction.