The migration of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells after systemic and local administration in an experimental model of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is an important medico-social problem worldwide, with a lot of attention paid to preclinical studies to assess the efficacy of new treatments, including cell therapy.

Study objective. To assess the migratory ability of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSC) using different methods of administration in an experimental model of Parkinson’s disease in laboratory rats.

Materials and methods. MMSC, stained with the PKH26 fluorescent dye, were systemically (intravenously) or locally (intranasally and intrathecally) administered to experimental animals with rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease. The migratory ability of MMSC was assessed on days 1 and 21 after administration, using immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results. The migratory ability of MMSC after both systemic and local administration was more pronounced in the animal group with the experimental model of Parkinson’s disease compared with the control group. It was characterized by maximum accumulation of cells in the brain on the first day after administration, with viability preserved in the area of neuronal inflammation throughout 21 days.

Conclusion. Local administration (intranasal and intrathecal) leads to faster accumulation of MMSC in the brain of both the animals with the experimental model of Parkinson’s disease and healthy rats. Intravenous administration of cell cultures also helps to reveal the migratory properties of MMSC and can form the basis for planning further studies of cell therapy in Parkinson’s disease.