An experimental model for the transplantation of fetal central nervous system cells to the injured spinal cord in rats.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic spinal cord injury is one of the most disabling conditions occurring in man and thus stimulates a strong interest in its histopathological, biochemical, and functional changes, primarily as we search for preventive and therapeutic methods.


OBJECTIVE
To develop an experimental model for transplantation of cells from the fetal rat central nervous system to the site of an injured spinal cord of an adult rat in which the transplanted cells survive and become integrated. This experimental model will facilitate investigations of factors that promote regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord trauma.


METHODS
Fifteen adult Wistar rats underwent laminectomy, and an spinal cord lesion was made with microdissection. Fetal spinal cord tissue was then transplanted to the site of the injury. The rats were monitored over a 48-hour period, and then their vertebral column was completely removed for histological analysis.


RESULTS
In 60% of transplanted rats, the fetal tissue at the injured site remained viable in the site of the lesion.
de Barros Filho
Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa
TE
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
de Oliveira
Reginaldo Perilo
RP
Tsanaclis
Ana Maria
AM
de Barros
Erika Meirelles Kalil Pessoa
EM
Cristante
Alexandre Fogaça
AF
Palma
Ricardo Moreira
RM
dos Santos
Cristian Vilela
CV
Marcon
Raphael Martus
RM
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016332:Fetal Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009417:Nerve Tissue; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation