Adipose-derived stem cells protect motor neurons and reduce glial activation in both in vitro and in vivo models of ALS
Yuri Ciervo, Noemi Gatto, Chloe Allen, Andrew J. Grierson, Laura Ferraiuolo, Richard J. Mead, Pamela J. Shaw
Abstract
mice. Further, ADSCs were found to reduce the inflammatory signature of ALS astrocytes by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and inducing the secretion of neuroprotective factors. Finally, mouse ADSCs were able to protect MNs from the neurotoxicity mediated by human induced astrocytes (iAstrocytes) derived from patients with either sporadic or familial ALS, thus for the first time showing the potential therapeutic translation of ADSCs across the spectrum of human ALS. These data in two translational models of ALS show that, through paracrine mechanisms, ADSCs support MN survival and modulate the toxic microenvironment that contributes to neurodegeneration in ALS.