A novel stem cell and biomaterial strategy to help repair the damaged brain following ischemic stroke

This study investigates the potential of a novel peptide hydrogel and human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) for neural-regeneration after ischemic stroke, a major cause of death and disability globally and in Australia. Currently, the only FDA-approved treatment option for this condition is limited to tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) recanalization, which has drawbacks and no regenerative properties. The injectable peptide hydrogel offers a minimally invasive method for targeted delivery of hAECs. The study employs multiple techniques to investigate the in-vitro paracrine impact of hAECs on the functional activity of primary neurons both during development and after damage.