Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Modified Hair Follicle Stem Cells Ameliorate Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

February 2023 in “ Stem Cell Research & Therapy ”

Hao Tang, Xuemei Zhang, Xiaojun Hao, Haitong Dou, Chendan Zou, Yinglian Zhou, Bing Li, Hui Yue, Duo Wang, Yifei Wang, Chunxiao Yang, Jin Fu

hepatocyte growth factor hair follicle stem cells HFSCs microglia blood-brain barrier neuron survival microvessel density angiogenesis

Studysummary This study found that injecting hepatocyte growth factor-enhanced hair follicle stem cells into a rat model of ischemic stroke improved recovery by reducing inflammation, protecting the blood-brain barrier, and promoting angiogenesis. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study demonstrates that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-modified hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) significantly improve neurological outcomes in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Using 120 rats divided into various groups, the research found that HGF-modified HFSCs reduced brain infarct volume, decreased neuron apoptosis, and improved neurological function compared to unmodified HFSCs and saline treatments. The treatment also inhibited microglia activation, protected blood-brain barrier integrity, and promoted angiogenesis. These findings suggest that HGF-modified HFSCs offer a promising approach for enhancing recovery after ischemic stroke by mitigating inflammation and supporting neurological recovery.

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Research cited in this study

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