Human pluripotent stem cell-derived ectomesenchymal stromal cells promote more robust functional recovery than umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells after hypoxic- ischaemic brain damage Jiawei Huang1,3*, Kin Pong U1,3*, Fuyuan Yang1, Zeyuan Ji1, Jiacheng Lin1,3, Zhihui Weng1, Lai Ling Tsang1,3, Tobias D Merson5, Ye Chun Ruan6, Chao Wan1,3, Gang Li2, Xiaohua Jiang1,3,4 1School of Biomedical Sciences, 2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. 3School of Biomedical Sciences Core Laboratory, Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, PR China. 4Sichuan University – The Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China. 5Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. 6Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. Running Title: Human ectomesenchymal stromal cells promote functional recovery in a rat HIE model *Corresponding author: Prof. Xiaohua JIANG, Email:
[email protected] Address: Room 409A, Lo Kwee Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, Area 39, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin. Keywords: HIE, ectomesenchymal stromal cells, brain damage, regeneration, paracrine, ERK Abstract: Aims: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the most serious complications in neonates and infants. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy is emerging as a promising treatment avenue for HIE. However, despite its enormous potential, the clinical application of MSCs is limited by cell heterogeneity, low isolation efficiency and unpredictable effectiveness. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of human pluripotent stem cell-derived ectomesenchymal stromal cells (hPSC-EMSCs) in a rat model of HIE.