Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025-09
Combined Deletion of Mitofusin 2 in Adipose-Mesenchymal Derived Stem Cells and Melatonin Offers Additional Benefits on Protecting the Brain Against Acute Ischemic Stroke in Rat
Ischemic stroke (IS) remains the third leading cause of death, and the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is still a formidable challenge to clinicians. This study tested the hypothesis that combined silencing Mnf2 gene in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCssil-Mnf2) and melatonin (Mel) therapy was superior to monotherapy on attenuating the brain infarct volume (BIV) and improving neurological function in AIS rats.
Results:
In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted. In vitro results showed that as compared with the controls (i.e., ADMSCs/N2a cells), the cellular/protein levels of oxidative stress/reactive oxygen species (ROS)/mitochondrial and DNA damaged/apoptotic/cell stress signaling (tumor necrosis factor [TNF] receptor associated factor 6/ apoptosis signal regulating kinase/MKK4/7/JUN/ERK1/2/c-Jun) biomarkers were significantly increased in these cells treated by H2O2 that were significantly reversed by ADMSCssil-Mnf2 or Mel and further significantly reversed by combined therapy (all p < 0.0001). Animals were categorized into groups 1 (sham-operated control)/2 (AIS)/3 (AIS + Mel)/4 (AIS + ADMSCssil-Mnf2)/5 (AIS + Mel-ADMSCssil-Mnf2) and euthanized by day 28 after AIS. By day 28, the BIV and the brain infarct area (BIA) were lowest in group 1/highest in group 2/significantly lower in group 5 than in groups 3 and 4/significantly increased in group 4 than in group 3, whereas the neurological function displayed an opposite manner of BIV (all p < 0.0001). The protein expressions of oxidative stress/mitochondrial damaged/apoptotic/inflammatory/cell stress signaling biomarkers displayed an identical pattern, whereas the protein expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis/antioxidants and cellular level of neuronal cells exhibited an opposite manner of BIV among the groups (all p < 0.0001).
Innovation and Conclusion:
ADMSCssil-Mnf2 and Mel combined therapy offered synergic effects on attenuating the BIV/BIA and preserving neurological function in rodents after AIS mainly through suppressing oxidative stress/ROS/inflammatory signalings and upregulating antioxidants. Combined ADMSCssil-Mnf2 and Mel therapy offered additional benefits on protecting the brain against AIS in rodents. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 43, 427–447.
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