A Comparison of Intracerebral Transplantation of RMNE6 Cells and MSCs on Ischemic Stroke Models

Background: Cell therapy using stem cells is promising for stroke patients; however, stem cell therapy faces many problems. RMNE6 cells, a new stem cell line, are superior to other stem cell lines. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be a promising candidate for stroke patients. In the current study, we determined the therapeutic effects of RMNE6 cells on a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of rats and identified the differences between RMNE6 cells and MSCs with respect to therapeutic effects. Material and Methods: RMNE6 and Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled MSCs were transplanted into the ischemic brains of MCAO rats. The behavior of rats was examined using the rotarod test with neuroradiologic assessment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Four weeks after cell transplantation, the rats were investigated by immunofluorescence staining to explore the fates of the graft cells. Result: After transplantation, RMNE6 cells and MSCs survived and migrated toward the injured area without differentiation. There was tumorigenesis in the brains transplanted with RMNE6 cells. Cell transplantation had no effects on the size of the ischemic volume. The behavior of the model animals showed no significant improvement. Conclusion: MSCs are still the preferred cells for cell replacement in stroke therapy, while RMNE6 cells need to be modified.