title: Transplantation of adult monkey neural stem cells into a contusion spinal cord injury model in rhesus macaque monkeys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently, cellular transplantation for spinal cord injuries (SCI) is the subject of numerous preclinical studies. Among the many cell types in the adult brain, there is a unique subpopulation of neural stem cells (NSC) that can self-renew and differentiate into neurons. The study aims, therefore, to explore the efficacy of adult monkey NSC (mNSC) in a primate SCI model.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, isolated mNSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and RT-PCR. Next, BrdU-labeled cells were transplanted into a SCI model. The SCI animal model was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological analysis. Animals were clinically observed for 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis confirmed homing of mNSCs into the injury site. Transplanted cells expressed neuronal markers (TubIII). Hind limb performance improved in trans- planted animals based on Tarlov's scale and our established behavioral tests for monkeys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings have indicated that mNSCs can facilitate recovery in contusion SCI models in rhesus macaque monkeys. Additional studies are necessary to determine the im- provement mechanisms after cell transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shiva Nemati
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Nemati
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgical Science, Loghman Hospital, Shahid Behshti University of Medial Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jabbari
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajinasrollah
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nargess
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zare Mehrjerdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Azizi
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Katayoun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hemmesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moghiminasr
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Azhdari
authors.affiliation: Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ardeshir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talebi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Soroush
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohitmafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Imaging at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vosough Taqi Dizaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgical Science, Loghman Hospital, Shahid Behshti University of Medial Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Giuve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sharifi
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.|Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baharvand
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgical Science, Loghman Hospital, Shahid Behshti University of Medial Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Omidvar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rezaee
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiani
keywords: Neural Stem Cell; Primates; Spinal Cord Injury; Transplantation