Somatic cells can be directly converted into induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) by defined transcription factors. However, the therapeutic effect of undifferentiated iNSCs on ischemic stroke has not been demonstrated. In this study, we used a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). iNSCs (5 × 105) were injected directly into the ipsilateral striatum and cortex 24 h after tMCAO. Histological analysis was performed at 7 days, 28 days, and 8 months after tMCAO. We found that iNSC transplantation successfully improved the survival rate of stroke model mice with significant functional recovery from the stroke. The fate of engrafted iNSCs was that the majority of iNSCs had differentiated into astroglial cells but not into neural cells in both the sham-operated brain and the poststroke brain without forming a tumor up to 8 months after tMCAO. Our data suggest that the directly converted iNSCs can be regarded as a candidate of safe cell resource for transplantation therapy in patients suffering from ischemic stroke.
Niche astrocytes promote the survival, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of co-transplanted neural stem cells following ischemic stroke in rats
