Review Article

Immunological Barriers to Stem Cell Therapy in the Central Nervous System

Table 1

(a)

SourceYearTransplantsRecipients
SpeciesStrainTissue usedSpeciesStrainLocation

Nicholas et al. [40]1987MiceBALB/cANCEmbryonic neocortex
These cells do not express MHC I.
MiceBALB/cANC
6–8-week-old female mice
Right lateral ventricle
CBA/J
E15–18
Results
Significantly more inflammatory cells in allogeneic than in syngeneic grafts. There were some T cells in the allogeneic grafts, but not syngeneic grafts. More neurons survive in syngeneic versus allogeneic grafts. There is less necrosis as well.

Lawrence et al. [41]1990RatPVGEmbryonic hippocamusratAOHippocampus
AO(E18–20)-no MHC I
Results
Allografts were rejected by both macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. Grafts were infiltrated early (3–6 d) by host microglia especially in necrotic tissue surrounding the graft. Blood vessels begin to join the graft to the host as early as 1 day. Lymphocytes, macrophages, and microglia begin to accumulate around the larger vessels. MHC I expression is turned on 3–6 days after transplanting. Most cells in the allografts were rejected by cytotoxic T cells by 27 d.

(b)

Source Year TransplantsRecipientsNumber of cells
SpeciesCell typeSpeciesStrainLocation

Rémy et al. [50]2001Pig Aortic endothelial cells from 30 d old pigs express both MHC I and MHC II RatLEW.1AStriatum400,000
PigEmbryonic neurons from ventral mesencephalon e25–28 express little or no MHC I. 400,000
Results
Endothelial cells were rejected quickly (3–7 days) by primarily macrophage/microglia cells. Neurons were rejected much later (14–21 days) by both macrophages and cytotoxic lymphocytes.

(c)

SourceYear TransplantsRecipientsNumber of cells
SpeciesStrainCell typeSpeciesStrainLocation

Coyne et al. [42]2006RatSprague-Bone marrow MSCs
from eGFP rats.
RatSprague-DawleyStriatum or
hippocampus
50,000
Dawley
Sprague-Dawley rats are outbred instead of inbred so these are allogeneic grafts and not syngeneic (225 g females).
Results
Few GFP-positive MSCs were seen at either location at 7 days and almost none at 14 days after transplanting. MSCs elicited an inflammatory response. Activated macrophages and microglia were seen in the grafts.

Tambuyzer et al. [43]2009MiceC57BL/6Marrow stromal cellsMiceFVBIntracerebral
right pelvic limb muscle
200,000
Results
Stromal cells are lost over 3-4 weeks. Activation of microglia cells (CD11b). Muscle grafts were rejected by T cells, but not cerebral grafts.

Chen et al. [44]2011MiceC57BL/6Neural progenitor cells that express eGFP from CAG promoter MiceC57BL/6Hippocampus100,000
Balb/c
Results
Fewer GFP-positive cells in allogeneic grafts as compared to syngeneic. More activated microglia in allografts than syngeneic one. Neurogenesis is inhibited in allografts. This effect is reversed with NSAIDs.

Spears [47]2011Mice129svjNeuralized ESCsMice129svjLeft striatum1,000,000
expressing eGFP.CD-1
Results
Allografts were rejected quickly (5–7 days) by cytotoxic T cells. Little activated microglia were detected. Syngeneic grafts increase in size.