[The study of the migration mechanism of murine flMSCs in ischemic injured brain]
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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Immune Cells from the Ischemic Mouse Brain
Published on: February 12, 2016
Yan Sun1, Dongmei He, Yuan Zhang
1Institute of Hematology, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Aim:
To investigate the migration mechanism of murine flMSCs in ischemic injured brain.
Methods:
flMSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. BALB/c mice were adopted to build model of cerebral ischemia. Chemokine receptor mRNA in flMSCs and SDF-1alpha (the only ligand for CXCR4) mRNA in injured brains were determined by RT-PCR. Expression and distribution of SDF-1alpha protein was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Migration of flMSCs induced by SDF-1alpha in vitro was detected by Boyden chamber assay.
Results:
Murine flMSCs expressed a restricted set of chemokine receptors including CR1, CR3, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4. Expression of SDF-1alpha mRNA was significantly increased in ischemic injured brain compared with those in normal brain (P < 0.01). Protein level of SDF-1alpha in ischemic injured brain (12 h: 0.35 +/- 0.05, 24 h: 0.35 +/- 0.05, 48 h: 0.88 +/- 0.04) was statistically up-regulated compared with those in normal brains (0.74 +/- 0.07, P < 0.01). Expression of SDF-1alpha was significantly increased in peri-ischemia area such as cerebral cortex and hippocampus 24 h after ischemic injury. Expression of SDF-1alpha wasn't detected in contralateral hemisphere and normal brain. Migration of flMSCs could be induced by SDF-1alpha and blocked by CXCR4 antibody in vitro.
Conclusion:
Interaction between CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha is one of the mechanisms in directing murine flMSCs migration in ischemic injured brain.
Insights
Murine flMSCs migrate to ischemic brain regions via CXCR4 and SDF-1alpha interaction. This study reveals a key mechanism for cell migration in brain injury, enhancing understanding of neuroregenerative therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show therapeutic potential in brain injury.
- Understanding the migration mechanisms of MSCs is crucial for optimizing their efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the migration mechanism of murine fetal liver-derived MSCs (flMSCs) in ischemic injured brain.
- To investigate the role of chemokine receptors and their ligands in flMSC homing.
Main Methods:
- flMSCs were isolated and cultured.
- A cerebral ischemia model was established in BALB/c mice.
- RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze chemokine receptor and SDF-1alpha expression.
- Boyden chamber assays assessed flMSC migration in vitro.
Main Results:
- Murine flMSCs express chemokine receptors including CXCR4.
- SDF-1alpha mRNA and protein levels were significantly upregulated in the ischemic brain, particularly in peri-ischemic areas.
- SDF-1alpha induced flMSC migration in vitro, which was inhibited by CXCR4 antibodies.
Conclusions:
- The interaction between CXCR4 on flMSCs and SDF-1alpha in the ischemic brain is a significant mechanism guiding flMSC migration.
- This finding provides insights into the homing of stem cells to sites of brain injury.
