Mesenchymal Stem Cells Primed With Valproate and Lithium Robustly Migrate to Infarcted Regions and Facilitate Recovery in a Stroke Model

Background and Purpose—The migratory efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) toward cerebral infarct after transplantation is limited. Valproate (VPA) and lithium enhance in vitro migration of MSC by upregulating CXC chemokine receptor 4 and matrix metalloproteinase-9, respectively. Ability of VPA and lithium to promote MSC homing and to improve functional recovery was assessed in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. Methods—MSC primed with VPA (2.5 mmol/L, 3 hours) and/or lithium chloride (2.5 mmol/L, 24 hours) were transplanted into rats 24 hours after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neurological function was assessed via rotarod test, Neurological Severity Score, and body asymmetry test for 2 weeks. Infarct volume was analyzed by MRI. The number of homing MSC and microvessel density in the infarcted regions were measured 15 days after MCAO using immunohistochemistry. Results—Priming with VPA or lithium increased the number of MSC homing to the cerebral infarcted regions, and coprimin...