Transplantation of X-box-binding protein-1 gene-modified neural stem cells in the lateral ventricle of brain ischemia rats

X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1) is an essential transcription factor in endoplasmic reticulum stress. In this study, XBP-1 gene-transfected neural stem cells (NSCs) were transplanted into lesion sites to ensure stability and persistent expression of XBP-1, resulting in the exertion of anti-apoptotic effects. Simultaneously, XBP-1 gene transfection promotes the survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs. Results from this study demonstrated that survival, proliferation and differentiation of XBP-1 gene-modified NSCs were enhanced when compared to unmodified NSCs at 28 days post-transplantation (P < 0.05). A diminished number of apoptotic neural cells increased Bcl-2 expression and reduced Bax expression, and were observed in the ischemic region of the XBP-1-NSCs group (P < 0.05). These results indicated that modification of the XBP-1 gene enhances the survival and migration of NSCs in vivo and decreases the occurrence of apoptosis.