Projects per year
Abstract
Background: Neonatal ventilation exacerbates brain injury in lambs with fetal growth restriction (FGR), characterized by neuroinflammation and reduced blood-brain barrier integrity, which is normally maintained by the neurovascular unit. We examined whether umbilical cord blood stem cell (UCBC) treatment stabilized the neurovascular unit and reduced brain injury in preterm ventilated FGR lambs. Methods: Surgery was performed in twin-bearing pregnant ewes at 88 days' gestation to induce FGR in one fetus. At 127 days, FGR and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) lambs were delivered, carotid artery flow probes and umbilical lines inserted, lambs intubated and commenced on gentle ventilation. Allogeneic ovine UCBCs (25 × 106 cells/kg) were administered intravenously to lambs at 1 h of life. Lambs were ventilated for 24 h and then euthanized. Results: FGR (n = 6) and FGR+UCBC (n = 6) lambs were growth restricted compared to AGA (n = 6) and AGA+UCBC (n = 6) lambs (combined weight, FGR 2.3 ± 0.4 vs. AGA 3.0 ± 0.3 kg; p = 0.0002). UCBC therapy did not alter mean arterial blood pressure or carotid blood flow but decreased cerebrovascular resistance in FGR+UCBC lambs. Circulating TNF-α cytokine levels were lower in FGR+UCBC vs. FGR lambs (p < 0.05). Brain histopathology showed decreased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, increased endothelial cell proliferation, pericyte stability, and greater integrity of the neurovascular unit in FGR+UCBC vs. FGR lambs. Conclusions: Umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy mitigates perinatal brain injury due to FGR and ventilation, and the neuroprotective benefits may be mediated by stabilization of the neurovascular unit.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 17 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Stem Cell Research & Therapy |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 8 Jan 2020 |
Keywords
- Brain injury
- FGR
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- IUGR
- Preterm
- Ventilation
Projects
- 3 Finished
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Optimising neurodevelopmental outcomes for fetal growth restriction
Miller, S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Jenkin, G. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Malhotra, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Allison, B. (Chief Investigator (CI))
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia)
1/01/19 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
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Implementing neuroprotective strategies for fetal growth restriction
Miller, S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia)
1/01/18 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
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Reducing perinatal lung, heart and brain injury in preterm infants - from bench to the clinic.
Polglase, G. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (Australia)
1/01/16 → 31/12/19
Project: Research