Stem cell injection in the hindlimb skeletal muscle enhances neurorepair in mice with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a low-risk, little-invasive stem cell-based method to treat acute spinal cord injuries. methods: Adult mice were submitted to an incomplete spinal cord injury, and mesenchymal stem cells injected intramuscularly into both hindlimbs. Behavior tests and MRI of the spinal cord were periodically performed for up to 6 months, along with immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemical and PCR analysis of the muscles were used to detect the grafted cells as well as the soluble factors released.


RESULTS
The stem cell-treated mice presented significant improvements in their motor skills 5 months after treatment. Spinal cord repair was detected by magnetic resonance and immunohistochemistry. In the hindlimb muscles, the stem cells activated muscle and motor neuron repair mechanisms, due to the secretion of several neurotrophic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell injection into hindlimb muscles stimulates spinal cord repair in acute spinal cord lesions.
Neuroscience Institute, University Miguel Hernández (UMH-CSIC), San Juan, Alicante, Spain.
Pablo
P
Cruz-Martinez
Diego
D
Pastor
Alicia
A
Estirado
Jesus
J
Pacheco-Torres
Salvador
S
Martinez
Jonathan
J
Jones
D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D051379:Mice; D009048:Motor Skills; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012038:Regeneration; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D058630:Spinal Cord Regeneration
bone marrow; in vivo cell tracking; intramuscular injection; mesenchymal stem cells; muscle regeneration; neurotrophic factors; spinal cord injury; spinal cord repair