Migration of cultured fetal spinal cord astrocytes into adult host cervical cord and medulla following transplantation into thoracic spinal cord.
Cell suspensions from 14-day-gestation rat spinal cord, which had previously been soaked for 1 hr in a 2 micrograms/ml solution of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL), were cultured on collagen gels containing laminin for 2 weeks. Pieces of the gel and attached cells were then transplanted into the dorsal column of adult host thoracic spinal cord. At 1, 2, and 3 months postimplantation (MPI), animals were sacrificed, and the spinal cords were removed, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned at 8 micron for immunohistochemistry at the light microscopic level. Sections were double labeled for PHAL and utilized as a marker for transplant-derived cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a specific marker for astrocytes. Transplant-derived astrocytes (PHAL-GFAP positive cells) migrated from the transplantation site in both rostral and caudal directions and were observed within the host dorsal column ipsilateral to the transplantation site. At 2 months, lateral migration into the contralateral dorsal column and ipsilateral dorsal horn was observed. At 3 MPI transplant-derived astrocytes were observed in host medulla (nucleus gracilis). Transplant-derived astrocytes were also observed on the glial limitans as far as nucleus gracilis. A migration rate of 0.72 mm/day was calculated, assuming a 14-day delay in the initiation of migration. The ramifications of such extensive migration are discussed with regard to return of function and amelioration of lesion-induced deficits.
Goldberg
W J
WJ
Laboratory of Central Nervous System Injury and Regeneration, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20422.
Bernstein
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D002465:Cell Movement; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000166:cytology*; D009333:Neck; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D013909:Thorax; D013997:Time Factors