Neuroprotective Effect of 4T1 and Sertoli Cells CoTransplantation in Animal Model of Brain Ischemia

Introduction: Introducing neurotrophic factors is among several new approaches to enhance neural resistance to ischemic condition. Cancer cells such as 4T1 (an invasive breast carcinoma cell line) are the most potent cells with high viability in transplanted area. The 4T1 cells are derived from spontaneous tumors in BALB/c mouse with their pathogenicity which is limited to this animal. Sertoli cells (SCs) can be a proper candidate for increasing the survival of transplanted cells. The SCs not only suppress the immune system, but also secret many growth factors which increase neural survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effect of 4T1 transplantation on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model alone and in combination with SCs cotransplantation. Methods: Rats were categorized into 5 experimental groups as follows: control, sham, SCs, 4T1, and 4T1+SCs treated groups. For transplanting cells into right striatum, stereotaxic surgery was performed. In addition, ischemic surgery was induced after three days. Twentyfour hours after the reperfusion, neurological severity score (NSS), infarct volume, brain edema, and bloodbrain barrier (BBB) permeability were assessed in different areas of the brain including cortex, striatum, and piriform cortexamygdala (PirAmy). Results: The SCs, 4T1, and SCs+4T1 cells cotransplantation ameliorated neurological deficits and reduced infarct volume, brain edema, and BBB permeability compared to the control group. Conclusion: Transplanting 4T1 cancer cell along with SCs as a source of neurotrophic factors enhanced neural survival providing a potential new approach in cell therapy.