# Novel stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy using stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

## TL;DR

This study explores using stem cells from baby teeth to treat cerebral palsy in rats, showing improved motor and cognitive functions.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the novel use of SHED for post-symptom treatment of cerebral palsy, revealing neurogenic and functional recovery mechanisms.

## Key findings

- SHED treatment improved motor coordination, memory, and learning in a rat model of cerebral palsy.
- SHED enhanced neurogenesis in the hippocampus and cortex, mediated by HGF and PI3K–Akt signaling.
- Quantum dot-labeled SHED migrated to the brain, and their conditioned medium increased HGF levels.

## Abstract

Effective treatments for cerebral palsy caused by Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy are urgently needed. Current therapies primarily include prevention or acute intervention, leaving a major gap in the options for reversing established neurologic damage. Because of their ease of collection and unique trophic factor profile, stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are promising candidates for cell-based therapy targeting neurological disorders. In this study, we examined the therapeutic potential of SHED in a rat model of cerebral palsy, focusing on neurogenic and functional recovery.

Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy was induced in neonatal rats using the Rice–Vannucci method. Rats with motor impairments received intravenous SHED injections, whereas the control group received a vehicle solution. Behavioral tests assessed motor coordination and cognitive performance. Proteomic analyses and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine the underlying mechanisms. The migration and biodistribution of SHED were tracked using quantum dot-labeled SHED with in vivo imaging. Neural stem cells were cocultured with SHED to evaluate neurogenesis, followed by RNA sequencing and the analysis of trophic factors in the conditioned media.

SHED treatment significantly ameliorated motor coordination, memory, and learning. Proteomic analysis revealed increased expression of proteins associated with neurogenesis in the SHED group. Histopathologic evaluations revealed enhanced neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and subventricular zone 2 weeks posttreatment, with increased NeuN-positive cells in the hippocampus and cortex at ten weeks. In vivo imaging revealed the migration of quantum dot-labeled SHED to the brain. Neural stem cells co-cultured with SHED in vitro exhibited higher proliferation rates. The SHED-conditioned medium contained increased levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and HGF-neutralizing antibodies suppressed the enhanced cell proliferation. RNA sequencing revealed significant alterations in genes associated with the PI3K–Akt signaling pathway.

SHED treatment ameliorated motor, memory, and learning impairment in a rat model of cerebral palsy. These improvements were accompanied by enhanced neurogenesis, likely mediated by HGF secretion and activation of the PI3K–Akt signaling pathway. SHED is a promising candidate for postsymptom-onset treatment of cerebral palsy. Further studies to confirm these findings and examine the clinical utility of SHED are warranted.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04828-y.