title: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α) improves neural recovery after spinal cord contusion in rats.
abstract: Stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α) is an important cytokine, implicated in the control of stem cell trafficking and bone marrow-derived stem cell mobilization. Generally, SDF-1α regulates multiple physiological processes such as embryonic development and organ homeostasis. There is also good evidence that SDF-1α and its receptor CXCR4(1) are key regulators of neurorepair processes after brain ischemia and spinal cord injury. In this study, we investigated the influence of chronic intrathecal delivery of SDF-1α after spinal cord contusion. After contusion T9, male Wistar rats at the age of 12 weeks were intrathecally treated with SDF-1α in different doses (100, 500 and 1000 ng/ml) via an osmotic pump for 28 days. Thereafter, animals were subjected to an open field locomotor test. Behavioral scores were significantly higher in SDF-1α treated animals compared to placebo-treated groups. In addition, we evaluated histopathological changes in the spinal cord in the presence or absence of SDF-1α. Chronic delivery of SDF-1α decreased numbers of apoptotic cells, boosted astroglia and microglia response, induced angiogenesis, and potentiated the number of proliferating cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results clearly indicate an improved functional CNS long-term recovery after spinal cord injury. This behavioral restoration was paralleled by a reduction of apoptosis and changes in neuroinflammatory cells.
authors: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. adib.zendedel@gmail.com
authors: Adib
authors: A
authors: Zendedel
authors: Maliheh
authors: M
authors: Nobakht
authors: Mehrdad
authors: M
authors: Bakhtiyari
authors: Cordian
authors: C
authors: Beyer
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Kipp
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Baazm
authors: Mohammad Taghi
authors: MT
authors: Joghataie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents