Translating intracarotid artery transplantation of bone marrow-derived NCS-01 cells for ischemic stroke: Behavioral and histological readouts and mechanistic insights into stem cell therapy

Abstract The present study used in vitro and in vivo stroke models to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of adult human bone marrow‐derived NCS‐01 cells. Coculture with NCS‐01 cells protected primary rat cortical cells or human neural progenitor cells from oxygen glucose deprivation. Adult rats that were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, transiently or permanently, and subsequently received intracarotid artery or intravenous transplants of NCS‐01 cells displayed dose‐dependent improvements in motor and neurological behaviors, and reductions in infarct area and peri‐infarct cell loss, much better than intravenous administration. The optimal dose was 7.5 × …