The integration of NSC-derived and host neural networks after rat spinal cord transection.
Rebuilding structures that can bridge the injury gap and enable signal connection remains a challenging issue in spinal cord injury. We sought to determine if genetically enhanced expression of TrkC in neural stem cells (NSCs) and neurotrophin-3 in Schwann cells (SCs) co-cultured in a gelatin sponge scaffold could constitute a neural network, and whether it could act as a relay to rebuilt signal connection after spinal cord transection. Indeed, many NSCs in the scaffold assumed neuronal features including formation of synapses. By whole-cell patch clamp, the synapses associated with NSC-derived neurons were excitable. Grafting of the scaffold with differentiating NSCs + SCs into rats with a segment of the spinal cord removed had resulted in a significant functional recovery of the paralyzed hind-limbs. Remarkably, the NSC-derived neurons formed new synaptic contacts suggesting that the scaffold can form a relay for conduction of signals through the injury gap of spinal cord.
Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Bi-Qin
BQ
Lai
Jun-Mei
JM
Wang
Jing-Jing
JJ
Duan
Yuan-Feng
YF
Chen
Huai-Yu
HY
Gu
Eng-Ang
EA
Ling
Jin-Lang
JL
Wu
Yuan-Shan
YS
Zeng
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008124:Locomotion; D009415:Nerve Net; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000601:surgery*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D019076:Transgenes