*2.5. Expression of Recombinant Molecules in Rat Brain after Intrathecal UCB-MC-Mediated Delivery of Transgenes*

The synthesis of the reporter GFP in UCB-MC in vivo was studied on day 24 after intrathecal injection of UCB-MC transduced with Ad-GFP. Antibody to human nuclear antigen (HNA) was used for the identification of UCB-MC in the rat brain cortex. HNA-positive cells producing GFP were revealed in the peri-infarct zone (Figure 11A). The production of therapeutic molecules (VEGF, GDNF, and NCAM) in transplanted, genetically-modified UCB-MC was studied using a double immunofluorescent staining method with antibodies against HNA and to one of the recombinant molecules. HNA-positive cells producing recombinant human molecules VEGF (Figure 11B), GDNF (Figure 11C), and NCAM (Figure 11D) were detected in the left hemisphere, 24 days after the intrathecal injection of UCB-MC+Ad5-VEGF-GDNF-NCAM.

**Figure 11.** Expression of recombinant molecules in rat brain on the 24th day after intrathecal injection of UCB-MC+Ad5-GFP and UCB-MC+Ad-VEGF-GDNF-NCAM. UCB-MC+Ad-VEGF-GDNF-NCAM are visualized with antibody against the human nuclear antigen (HNA). Cell nuclei are counterstained with DAPI (blue glow). (**A**)—Specific green glow in UCB-MC+Ad5-GFP. (**B**)—Immune reaction with antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (red glow). (**C**)—Immune response with antibody against glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) (red glow). (**D**)—Immune response with antibody against neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) (red glow). Arrows point to the UCB-MC. Arrowheads indicate cell nuclei visualized using DAPI (blue glow). Scale bar in (**A**–**D**) = 50 μm; scale bar in the inserts = 20 μm.
