Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2020 Jan;50(1):57-64.

Neuroprotective Effects of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Radiation-Induced Brain Injury in Mice.

Wang G^1,2, Ren X³, Yan H², Gui Y², Guo Z², Song J⁴, Zhang P⁵.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the neuroprotective effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) on radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI).

METHODS:

Thirty female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: control (CON), whole brain irradiation (WBI), and the cell therapy (MSC) group. Mice in the WBI and MSC groups received a single, whole brain irradiation treatment with 15 Gy of ⁶⁰Co. Learning and memory were evaluated in the mice using the step-down avoidance test. The neuronal changes in the hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA) 1 region were observed using hematoxylin eosin (H&E) staining. The changes in astrocytes were visualized with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry, and the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) along with Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS:

Compared with mice in the WBI group, learning and memory in the MSC mice were significantly increased (P<0.05), neuronal degeneration and necrosis were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the number of astrocytes was significantly increased (P<0.05). The levels of the in˙ammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6, were significantly decreased (P<0.05), however, the inhibitory factor IL-10 was significantly increased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

UC-MSCs play a neuroprotective role by inhibiting brain cell injury and neuroinflammation.