BRAIN RESEARCH: Improvement of Deficits by Transplantation of Lentiviral Vector

Improvement of Deficits by Transplantation of Lentiviral Vector - Modified Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Cells After Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Jiang Tao, Fang Ji, Baojun Liu, Feng Wang, Feng Dong, Yaqin Zhu

Introduction

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability; approximately 20% of people who suffer from a stroke die within the first week. However, although 70% of stroke patient survive considerably longer after a stroke, and despite intensive research, few treatment options are available.

Experimental animal models and human trials have demonstrated great promise for stem cell transplantation to restore brain function post-injury. Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be differentiated into cells of various organs, including cardiomyocytes, there are many underlining problems to overcome before clinical applications can be used. Among them, tumorigenicity is a serious concern. Autografts of iPS cells may not cause immunologic rejection; ironically, this will also cause possible neoplasm formation to escape from immune surveillance, ethical and political concerns have limited the use of fetal stem cells and ES cells.

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