Abstract
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 co-transplantation.
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. Twenty-four 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 cortex-amygdala (Pir-Amy).
Results: The SCs, 4T1, and SCs+4T1 cells co-transplantation 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.