title: Neural stem/progenitor cells transplanted to the hypoglossal nucleus integrates with the host CNS in adult rats and promotes motor neuron survival.
abstract: Transplantation of neural stem cells and the mobilization of endogenous neuronal precursors in the adult brain have been proposed as therapeutic strategies for central nervous system disorders and injuries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible survival and integration  of grafted neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from the subventricular zone (SVZ) in a hypoglossal nerve avulsion model with substantial neuronal loss. Adult neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from the subventricular zone (SVZ) were cultured from inbred transgenic eGFP Lewis rats and transplanted to  the hypoglossal nucleus of inbred Lewis rat from the same family but that were not carrying the eGFP strain after avulsion of the hypoglossal nerve. Grafted cells survived in the host more than 3 months and differentiated into neurons [βIII tubulin (Tuj-1 staining)] with fine axon- and  dendrite-like processes as well as astrocytes (GFAP) and oligodendrocytes (O4) with typical morphology. Staining for synaptic structures (synaptophysin and bassoon) indicated integration of differentiated cells from the graft with the host CNS. Furthermore, transplantation of NPCs increased  the number of surviving motoneurons in the hypoglossal nucleus after nerve avulsion that, if untreated, result in substantial neuronal death. The NPCs used in this study expressed VEGF in vitro as well as in vivo following transplantation that may mediate the rescue effect of the axotomized  motoneurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fagerlund
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pérez Estrada
authors.forename: Nasren
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaff
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: Lou
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brundin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005838:Genotype; D061228:Hypoglossal Nerve Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D051381:Rats; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation