Stem cells modified by brain-derived neurotrophic factor to promote stem cells differentiation into neurons and enhance neuromotor function after brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To promote stem cells differentiation into neurons and enhance neuromotor function after brain injury through brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) induction.


METHODS
Recombinant adenovirus vector was applied to the transfection of BDNF into human-derived umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the secretion phase of BDNF. The brain injury model of athymic mice induced by hydraulic pressure percussion was established for transplantation of stem cells into the edge of injury site. Nerve function scores were obtained, and the expression level of transfected and non-transfected BDNF, proportion of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and the number of apoptosis cells were compared respectively.


RESULTS
The BDNF expression achieved its stabilization at a high level 72 hours after gene transfection. The mouse obtained a better score of nerve function, and the proportion of the NSE-positive cells increased significantly (P<0.05), but GFAP-positive cells decreased in BDNF-UCMSCs group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05). At the site of high expression of BDNF, the number of apoptosis cells decreased markedly.


CONCLUSIONS
BDNF gene can promote the differentiation of the stem cells into neurons rather than glial cells, and enhance neuromotor function after brain injury.
Zhang
Sai
S
Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China.
Liu
Xiao-zhi
XZ
Liu
Zhen-lin
ZL
Wang
Yan-min
YM
Hu
Qun-liang
QL
Ma
Tie-zhu
TZ
Sun
Shi-zhong
SZ
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D014162:Transfection
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C528900:glial fibrillary astrocytic protein, mouse; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase