Functional recovery in hemiparkinsonian primates transplanted with polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells.
Cross-species neural grafting of cell lines immunoisolated by a permselective polymer membrane represents a promising source of neuroactive molecules for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Utilization of a cell line of xenogeneic origin is advantageous since the transplanted cells will be rejected by the host immune system in case of breakage of the immunoisolating envelope. Polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells, a dopaminergic cell line derived from a rat pheochromocytoma, were transplanted in five Macaca fascicularis monkeys which had been previously rendered hemiparkinsonian by a unilateral carotid injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Well-preserved, tyrosine hydroxylase positive encapsulated PC12 cells were observed in the lesioned striatum for up to 5 months after implantation. Four out of five monkeys which received polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells showed significant behavioral improvement, whereas three monkeys implanted with either encapsulated bovine chromaffin cells or empty polymer envelopes showed no amelioration.
Aebischer
P
P
Section of Artifical Organs, Biomaterials and Cellular Technology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912.
Goddard
M
M
Signore
A P
AP
Timpson
R L
RL
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000637:transplantation; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D002417:Cattle; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma; D051381:Rats; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D002214:Capsules; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine