Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Restore Vascular Integrity in Injured Rat Brain and Modulate Inflammation <i>in Vitro</i>

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> Traumatic brain injury is a complex condition consisting of a mechanical injury with neurovascular disruption and inflammation with limited clinical interventions available. A growing number of studies report systemic delivery of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) as a therapy for neural injuries. <b>Materials & methods:</b> HUCB cells from five donors were tested to improve blood-brain barrier integrity in a traumatic brain injury rat model at a dose of 2.5 × 10⁷ cells/kg at 24 or 72 h postinjury and for immunomodulatory activity <i>in vitro</i>. <b>Results & Conclusion:</b> We observed that cells delivered 72 h postinjury significantly restored blood-brain barrier integrity. HUCB cells reduced the amount of TNF-α and IFN-γ released by activated primary rat splenocytes, which correlated with the expression of COX2 and IDO1.