Use of autologous mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow for the treatment of naturally injured spinal cord in dogs.
The use of stem cells in injury repair has been extensively investigated. Here, we examined the therapeutic effects of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplantation in four dogs with natural traumatic spinal cord injuries. MSC were cultured in vitro, and proliferation rate and cell viability were evaluated. Cell suspensions were prepared and surgically administered into the spinal cord. The animals were clinically evaluated and examined by nuclear magnetic resonance. Ten days after the surgical procedure and MSC transplantation, we observed a progressive recovery of the panniculus reflex and diminished superficial and deep pain response, although there were still low proprioceptive reflexes in addition to a hyperreflex in the ataxic hind limb movement responses. Each dog demonstrated an improvement in these gains over time. Conscious reflex recovery occurred simultaneously with moderate improvement in intestine and urinary bladder functions in two of the four dogs. By the 18th month of clinical monitoring, we observed a remarkable clinical amelioration accompanied by improved movement, in three of the four dogs. However, no clinical gain was associated with alterations in magnetic resonance imaging. Our results indicate that MSC are potential candidates for the stem cell therapy following spinal cord injury.
Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Hospital de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-110 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Euler Moraes
EM
Penha
Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Cássio Santana
CS
Meira
Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, 41150-000 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Elisalva Teixeira
ET
Guimarães
Hospital Espanhol, 40140-110 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Marcus Vinícius Pinheiro
MV
Mendonça
A Arca Veterinária, 40243-045 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Faye Alice
FA
Gravely
Estácio-FIB, Centro Universitário Estácio da Bahia, 41770-030 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Cláudia Maria Bahia
CM
Pinheiro
Estácio-FIB, Centro Universitário Estácio da Bahia, 41770-030 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Taiana Maria Bahia
TM
Pinheiro
Hospital de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 40170-110 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Stella Maria
SM
Barrouin-Melo
Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, 41253-190 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Ricardo
R
Ribeiro-Dos-Santos
Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 40296-710 Salvador, BA, Brazil ; Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular, Hospital São Rafael, 41253-190 Salvador, BA, Brazil.
Milena Botelho Pereira
MB
Soares