Joshua Bernstock

Supervisors: Dr Stefano Pluchino and Professor Robin Franklin

After an ischemic stroke, neural precursor cells (NPCs) proliferate within major germinal niches of the brain. Endogenous NPCs subsequently migrate toward the ischemic lesion where they promote tissue remodeling and neural repair. Unfortunately, this restorative process is generally insufficient and thus unable to support a full recovery of lost neurological functions. Supported by solid experimental and preclinical data, the transplantation of exogenous NPCs has emerged as a potential tool for stroke treatment. Transplanted NPCs are thought to act mainly via trophic and immune modulatory effects thereby complementing the
restorative responses initially executed by the endogenous NPC population. We claim that understanding these immunomodulatory aspects will be of pivotal importance in discerning how transplanted NPCs exert their therapeutic effects in stroke.