Effects of co-grafts mesenchymal stem cells and nerve growth factor suspension in the repair of spinal cord injury.
To investigate effect of the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with nerve growth factor (NGF) on the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats, spinal cord of adult rats (n= 32) was injured by using the modified Allen's method. One week after the injury, the injured cords were injected with Dubecco-modified Eagles medium (DMEM, Group I), MSCs (Group II), NGF (Group III), and MSCs plus NGF (Group IV). One month and two months after the injury, rats were sacrificed and their injured cord tissues were sectioned for the identification of the transplanted cells. The axonal regeneration and the differentiation of MSCs were examined by immunocytochemical staining. At the same time, rats were subjected to behavioral tests by using the open-field BBB scoring system. Immunocytochemical staining showed that axonal regeneration and the transplanted cells partially expressed neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). At the same time, significant improvement in BBB locomotor rating scale (P<0. 05) were observed in the treatment group. More importantly, further functional improvement were noted in the combined treatment group. MSCs could differentiate into neurons and astrocytes. MSCs and NGF can promote axonal regeneration and improve functional recovery. There might exist a synergistic effect between MSCs and NGF.
Huang
Fang
F
Wang
Junfang
J
Chen
Anmin
A
D000818:Animals; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor