title: Graft of the gelatin sponge scaffold containing genetically-modified neural stem cells promotes cell differentiation, axon regeneration, and functional recovery in rat with spinal cord transection.
abstract: Biological materials combined with genetically-modified neural stem cells (NSCs) are candidate therapy targeting spinal cord injury (SCI). Based on our previous studies, here we performed gelatin sponge (GS) scaffold seeded with neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its receptor TrkC gene modifying NSCs for repairing SCI. Eight weeks later, compared with other groups, neurofilament-200 and 5-hydroxytryptamine positive nerve fibers were more in the injury site of the N+T-NSCs group. Immunofluorescence staining showed the grafted NSCs could differentiate into microtubule associated protein (Map2), postsynaptic density (PSD95), and mouse oligodendrocyte special protein (MOSP) positive cells. The percentage of the Map2, PSD95, and MOSP positive cells in the N+T-NSCs group was higher than the other groups. Immuno-electron microscopy showed the grafted NSCs making contact with each other in the injury site. Behavioral analysis indicated the recovery of hindlimbs locomotion was better in the groups receiving cell transplant, the best recovery was found in the N+T-NSCs group. Electrophysiology revealed the amplitude of cortical motor evoked potentials was increased significantly in the N+T-NSCs group, but the latency remained long. These findings suggest the GS scaffold containing genetically-modified NSCs may bridge the injury site, promote axon regeneration and partial functional recovery in SCI rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Bao-Ling
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Yuan-Huan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Bi-Qin
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Jun-Mei
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Eng-Ang
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Jin-Lang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yuan-Shan
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D005780:Gelatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D009043:Motor Activity; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005780:Gelatin
keywords: TrkC; gelatin sponge scaffold; neural stem cells; neurotrophin-3; spinal cord injury