Human umbilical cord blood cells boost lab animal’s recovery after stroke
August 25th, 2010 - 5:53 pm ICT by ANI ( Leave a comment )Washington, Aug 25 (ANI): Scientists have used human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCB) to treat cultured rat brain cells (astrocytes) deprived of oxygen, which protected them from cell death after stroke-like damage.
Astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord, support cells that make up the blood-brain barrier separating circulating blood and spinal fluid.
“However, the cord blood cells also had an impact on cytokines - small proteins secreted by cells of the immune system - and also on glial cells that carry signals between cells,” said University of South Florida (USF) professor Alison Willing.
“HUCBs are composed of different types of immune cells and have the ability to secrete both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This suggests that the cells may promote recovery following stroke by regulating inflammatory responses and providing support for neural cells, such as astrocytes,” Willing said.
“The effects of cord blood cells on astrocytes are not clear and more research is needed to clarify the issue,” she concluded.
Their study was published in the August 2010 issue of Stem Cell Review and Reports. (ANI)
- Human umbilical cord blood cells boost survival, maturation of key brain cells - Dec 15, 2010
- New study offers hope to those with Alzheimer's, ALS - Mar 08, 2011
- Scientists focus on human cells for spinal cord injury repair - Mar 03, 2011
- Glial brain cells that regulate circadian rhythms identified - Apr 15, 2011
- Novel approach could benefit stroke victims - Feb 09, 2011
- New drug restores responsiveness to morphine - Jan 31, 2011
- Human umbilical cord blood cells accelerate diabetic wound healing - Feb 23, 2011
- Naturally occurring brain mechanism ups Parkinson's understanding - Feb 12, 2011
- Star-shaped brain cells 'essential for making long-term memories' - Mar 04, 2011
- Potential new multiple sclerosis treatment - Nov 19, 2010
- Star shaped brain cells regulate breathing - Jul 19, 2010
- Umbilical cord cells may be useful in arthritis treatment - Nov 16, 2010
- Blueberries, green tea may boost memory in old age - Jul 21, 2010
- Key protein controlling blood vessel growth in mice's brain identified - Nov 12, 2010
- Compound in carrots, peppers boosts brain health - Oct 14, 2010
Tags: blood brain barrier, blood cells, brain cells, cell death, cells of the immune system, glial cells, human umbilical cord, immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory responses, lab animal, neural cells, professor alison, rat brain, spinal cord, stem cell, support cells, umbilical cord blood, university of south florida, usf professor
