VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSCs Exert Considerable Neuroprotection Against Cerebral Infarction in Rats by Suppression of NLRP3-Induced Pyroptosis

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are spindle-like heterogeneous cell populations with advantageous bidirectional immunomodulatory and hematopoietic support effects. Vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)⁺ MSCs have been reported to exhibit immunoregulatory and proangiogenic capacities. Here, we studied the effects of VCAM-1⁺ human umbilical cord (hUC)-MSCs on neuroprotection against cerebral infarction. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and VCAM-1^- and VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSCs were intravenously injected into the rat 4 h post-MCAO surgery. Thereafter, modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) were determined, and the Morris water maze test, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Nissl, TUNEL staining, and qRT-PCR were conducted. Following induction of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), SH-SY5Y cells were co-cultured with VCAM-1^- and VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSCs. CCK-8, flow cytometry, ELISA, and western blot analyses were performed in vitro. Compared with VCAM-1^- hUC-MSCs, administration of VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSCs revealed improved therapeutic efficacy against cerebral infarction in rats, as confirmed by lower mNSS scores and infarct volumes, as well as improved learning and memory capacities. In addition, VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSCs exhibited improved efficacy against neurological defects in rats with cerebral infarction, accompanied by inhibition of the NLRP3-mediated inflammatory response. VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSC co-culture improved the viability and diminished NLRP3-mediated inflammatory response in OGD/R-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, NLRP3 overexpression in SH-SY5Y cells prevented the beneficial effects of VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSC co-culture. Overall, our findings demonstrated the relevance of VCAM-1⁺ hUC-MSC-based cytotherapy for preclinical neuroprotection against cerebral infarction.