Neuroprotective effect of tanshinone IIA-modified mesenchymal stem cells in a lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation model

In this study, the neuroprotective potential of tanshinone IIA (TIIA)-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were investigated using a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation. The cognitive performance of the mice was assessed using the Y-maze and Morris water maze tests, while immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were employed to evaluate the hippocampal expression of pertinent markers and inflammatory factors, respectively. The results from the behavioral experiments demonstrated discernible differences in learning and memory abilities between the model group and the control group (P < 0.05), confirming the successful induction of neuroinflammation. Both the MSC and TIIA-MSC groups exhibited enhancements in the cognitive abilities of neuroinflammatory mice, with the TIIA-MSC group demonstrating a more pronounced improvement (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence analysis revealed significant activation of microglia in the model group, while the MSC and TIIA-MSC groups exhibited a reduction in hippocampal microglial activation, with the TIIA-MSC group displaying a more substantial decrease. A statistically significant difference in the expression levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α was observed between the model and control groups (P < 0.05), indicating that IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were downregulated in both the MSC and TIIA-MSC groups. Notably, the downregulatory effect was more prominent in the TIIA-MSC group (P < 0.01). Compared to MSC treatment alone, the administration of TIIA-modified MSC demonstrated a superior protective effect against lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic efficacy of TIIA-modified MSC in mitigating neuroinflammatory responses.