Stem Cell Transplant Shows promise in Stroke Recovery, Restoring Motor Function in Mice
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) has demonstrated significant improvements in motor function following stem cell transplantation in mice recovering from stroke. The research, published in Nature Communications, reveals that transplanting neural stem cells not only encourages brain cell growth but also facilitates functional recovery, offering potential avenues for future stroke therapies.
Following induced strokes in the mice, researchers transplanted neural stem cells into the damaged brain region. Five weeks post-transplant, treated mice exhibited a full recovery of fine motor skills as measured by a challenging climbing task involving irregular rungs. Improvements were also observed in their overall gait compared to a control group that underwent sham surgery.
Detailed analysis of the treated brains revealed several key changes. The transplanted cells fostered increased blood vessel development and enhanced connectivity between neurons. Importantly, the blood-brain barrier, crucial for protecting the brain from harmful substances, showed reduced leakage in the treated group.
The study also shed light on the types of cells affected by stroke and the fate of the transplanted stem cells.Researchers found a roughly 50% reduction in GABAergic neurons – cells that release gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that reduces brain cell activity and has been previously linked to stroke recovery – following the stroke. Notably, the majority of the transplanted stem cells differentiated into GABAergic neurons, suggesting the injured brain environment may actively guide stem cell development.
Further investigation revealed heightened activity in signaling pathways known to promote neuron regeneration, synaptic connection formation, and neuronal branching. “mechanistic insight can be quite vital if we seek to inform new therapies or improve emerging ones,” explained researcher Dr. Rust. “Understanding the mechanisms allows us to think about adapting a drug that regulates them.”
The research team is now focused on identifying ways to further enhance activity within these key signaling pathways and conducting long-term studies to assess the durability of the observed recovery. Their ultimate goal is to determine the long-term viability and effectiveness of stem cell transplants in stroke recovery, aiming for sustained benefits throughout the lifespan of a patient.
Reference: Weber RZ, Achón Buil B, Rentsch NH, et al. Neural xenografts contribute to long-term recovery in stroke via molecular graft-host crosstalk. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):8224. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-63725-3.
