{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T08:25:54Z","timestamp":1787646354678,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,1]],"date-time":"2026-08-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785542400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,1]],"date-time":"2026-08-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785542400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001809","name":"National Natural Science Foundation of China","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["82371298"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["82371298"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001809","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001809","name":"National Natural Science Foundation of China","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["82171319"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["82171319"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001809","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Cell Transplant"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,8]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Cell transplantation is a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke, but its clinical efficacy remains inconsistent. This meta-analysis evaluated functional outcomes at different follow-up time points, as well as neuroimaging and paracrine biomarkers. A systematic search of Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to December 31, 2025 identified 21 randomized controlled trials involving 1,269 patients. The analysis showed that cell transplantation improved NIHSS at 6 and 12 months and final follow-up; mRS at 12 months and final follow-up; and BI at 3 and 6 months and final follow-up. Functional independence increased as measured by mRS scores at 0-1 and 0-2 at 12 months and by BI \u226590 or 95 at 3 and 12 months and final follow-up. MSCs improved NIHSS and BI, EPCs improved NIHSS and mRS, whereas MNCs showed no statistically significant effects. BBB-bypassing delivery demonstrated consistent efficacy. Transplantation within 10 days or after 90 days showed beneficial effects. Fugl-Meyer assessment scores and VEGF increased after cell transplantation, while infarct volume and DTI-FA showed no change. Cell transplantation induced functional benefits. Efficacy may depend on cell type, delivery strategy, and timing of transplantation, underscoring the critical influence of these variables on therapeutic outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/09636897261480252","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]],"date-time":"2026-08-22T12:18:03Z","timestamp":1787401083000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Efficacy of cell transplantation for ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"35","author":[{"given":"Xue-song","family":"Liang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ying-xuan","family":"Guo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Johannes","family":"Boltze","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The University of Warwick"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6779-9812","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Shen","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University"},{"name":"Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders"},{"name":"Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_5_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S1474-4422(23)00277-6"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S1474-4422(22)00519-1"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/bc.bc_161_24"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_5_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.123.044279"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_6_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.125.052147"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_7_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fcell.2024.1410732"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_8_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/brain\/awae204"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_9_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pneurobio.2017.03.003"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_10_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/nep3.70022"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_11_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_12_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4252\/wjsc.v17.i9.110663"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_13_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.124.050261"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_14_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13287-024-04021-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_15_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/stcltm\/szad080"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_16_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamaneurol.2023.5200"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_17_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0271678X231202594"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_18_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S1474-4422(22)00526-9"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_19_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.121.034505"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_20_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.121.036545"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_21_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcyt.2021.03.005"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_22_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1212\/WNL.0000000000011440"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_23_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.26599\/JNR.2020.9040019"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_24_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12975-020-00787-z"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_25_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030659"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_26_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3174\/ajnr.A5586"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_27_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S1474-4422(17)30046-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_28_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/str.47.suppl_1.wp146"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_29_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.114.007028"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_30_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3727\/096368914X678562"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_31_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/stem.430"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_32_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/ana.20501"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_33_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuroscience.2024.05.009"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_34_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.125.052464"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_35_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/17474930231217192"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_36_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1161\/STROKEAHA.125.050786"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_37_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13287-025-04209-5"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_3_5_38_2","first-page":"S22","article-title":"Devices for cell transplantation into the central nervous system: Design considerations and emerging technologies","volume":"4","author":"Potts MB","year":"2013","unstructured":"Potts MB, Silvestrini MT, Lim DA. Devices for cell transplantation into the central nervous system: Design considerations and emerging technologies. Surg Neurol Int 2013; 4(Suppl 1): S22\u2013S30. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/2152-7806.109190","journal-title":"Surg Neurol Int"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_39_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3727\/096368915X690350"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_40_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jacc.2010.07.049"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_41_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.athoracsur.2008.11.057"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_42_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/nm.1905"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_43_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41582-022-00736-4"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_44_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jns.2022.120377"}],"container-title":["Cell Transplantation"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/09636897261480252","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/09636897261480252","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/09636897261480252","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T07:54:51Z","timestamp":1787644491000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/09636897261480252"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8]]},"references-count":43,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/09636897261480252"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/09636897261480252","relation":{},"ISSN":["0963-6897","1555-3892"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0963-6897","type":"print"},{"value":"1555-3892","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8]]},"article-number":"09636897261480252"}}