Intraperitoneal rescue stem cell therapy in experimental NEC mitigates intestinal, pulmonary, and neuroinflammatory injury in mice
Umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (USCs) can improve outcomes in NEC even after its onset. This study is the first murine model to show that USCs serve as an effective rescue therapy-demonstrating significant improvements in clinical scores, intestinal health, lung function, and brain microglia activity. The research suggests that IP USCs may reduce secondary organ damage and enhance long-term outcomes for affected infants, paving the way for future pre-clinical and clinical trials in the neonatal care of this devastating disease.
Authors
- Troy A. Markel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6429-2976)
- John P. Brokaw
- Jianyun Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4738-2870)
- Fikir M. Mesfin
- Krishna Manohar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3576-8584)
- Jasmine Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3015-2975)
- W. Chris Shelley
- S. Joseph
Institutions
- Indiana University Health (US)
- Riley Hospital for Children (US)
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pediatric Research
- Published
- 2025-12-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04599-5
- Primary Topic
- Mesenchymal stem cell research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases