Affiliations: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA | ViaCell Neuroscience, ViaCell, Inc., Cambridge, MA
02142, USA | Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division
of Health Sciences and Technology, USA | Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Health,
Cambridge, MA 02139, USA | Center for Biomedical Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author. Biotrofix, Inc., 604 Webster St., Needham,
MA 02494, USA. E-mail: seth.finklestein@biotrofix.com
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of
dimerized basic fibroblast growth factor (dFGF), a novel engineered growth
factor, in a model of functional recovery following focal cerebral infarction
(stroke) in rats. Methods: A focal stroke was made in mature male rats by occlusion of
the middle cerebral artery (MCA). dFGF was administered by intracisternal
injection at one and three days after stroke. Tests to evaluate sensorimotor
recovery of the contralateral limbs were done during the next three weeks after
stroke. Results: dFGF significantly enhanced recovery of sensorimotor
function in limb placing and body swing tests compared to vehicle treatment.
There were no differences in body weight or infarct volume in dFGF- vs.
vehicle-treated animals. Conclusions: dFGF represents a potential treatment to enhance
functional recovery after stroke and offers several advantages over bFGF,
including stability and independence from extracellular heparan sulfates.
