Bone marrow stromal cells promote neuroplasticity of cerebral ischemic rats via a phosphorylated CRMP2-mediated mechanism

•The neuroplasticity following cerebral ischemia is ameliorated by BMSCs transplant.•The mechanism may be associated with the expressional change of phosphorylated collapsin response mediator protein 2 (p-CRMP2).•The secretion of neurotrophins and the activation of signaling pathways by BMSCs may affect the expression of p-CRMP2.•BMSCs treatment could promote neuroplasticity impared by brain ischemic injury.