Immunoisolated chromaffin cells implanted into the subarachnoid space of rats reduce cold allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain: a novel application of microencapsulation technology.
Intrathecal transplants of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells relieve chronic pain by secreting catecholamines, opioids, and other neuroactive substances. Recently, macrocapsules with semipermeable membranes were used to isolate immunologically xenogenic chromaffin cells, but the poor viability in vivo of the encapsulated chromaffin cells limited the usefulness of this method. In this study, we used a novel method of encapsulation to increase the viability of chromaffin cells. We found that microencapsulated chromaffin cells that were implanted into the subarachnoid space of rats relieved cold allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain. Furthermore, microencapsulated chromaffin cells were morphologically normal and retained their functionality. These findings suggest that the intrathecal placement of microencapsulated chromaffin cells might be a useful method for treating chronic pain.
Kim
Yu Mi
YM
Department of Biological and Medical Engineering, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
Jeon
Young Hoon
YH
Jin
Gwang Chun
GC
Lim
Jeong Ok
JO
Baek
Woon Yi
WY
D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002470:Cell Survival; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D059408:Pain Management; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013346:Subarachnoid Space / Q000378:metabolism*
D002395:Catecholamines; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone