Stem Cell Applications in Ischemic Stroke Therapy

Ischaemic stroke arises from the occlusion of cerebral blood vessels, resulting in rapid neuronal death, inflammation and the formation of a necrotic core. Current treatments focus on reperfusion within narrow therapeutic windows, yet many survivors are left with persistent neurological deficits. Stem cell–based strategies have emerged as promising adjuncts to conventional care, offering the potential to replace lost neurons, modulate immune responses and secrete trophic factors that support endogenous repair. Various cell types—including neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cell–derived progenitors—can integrate into host tissue, promote angiogenesis and guide neuroplastic changes. Biomaterial scaffolds such as hydrogels provide supportive matrices that mimic extracellular cues, enhance graft survival and allow controlled delivery of growth factors. Advances in genetic preconditioning and electrical stimulation further improve cell viability and direct lineage specification. Despite encouraging preclinical outcomes, clinical translation demands rigorous standardisation of cell sourcing, delivery routes and long-term safety monitoring. Continued interdisciplinary research seeks to refine scaffold composition, delineate optimal transplantation timing and develop non-invasive imaging modalities to track grafted cells in real time. Successful integration of stem cell therapies holds global significance for reducing stroke-related disability and improving quality of life.

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Stem Cell Applications in Ischemic Stroke Therapy publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in stem cell applications in ischemic stroke therapy across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Ischaemic core: Region of brain tissue rendered necrotic by prolonged lack of blood supply.

Neural progenitor cell (NPC): A multipotent stem cell capable of differentiating into neurons and glial cells.

Hydrogel: A hydrated polymer network engineered to support cell survival, deliver bioactive factors and mimic tissue mechanics.

Paracrine signalling: Mechanism whereby cells secrete factors that act on neighbouring cells to modulate repair and inflammation.

CCR5 antagonist: A compound that inhibits the C-C chemokine receptor 5, reducing inflammatory cell recruitment and promoting graft survival.

References

1. Enabling Survival of Transplanted Neural Precursor Cells in the Ischemic Brain. Advanced Science (2023).
2. Injectable Bombyx mori (B. mori) silk fibroin/MXene conductive hydrogel for electrically stimulating neural stem cells into neurons for treating brain damage. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2024).
3. Systematic optimization of an engineered hydrogel allows for selective control of human neural stem cell survival and differentiation after transplantation in the stroke brain. Biomaterials (2016).