Faculty Collaboration Database

Survival of neurally induced mesenchymal cells may determine degree of motor recovery in injured spinal cord rats. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2010;28(6):761-7

Date

01/07/2011

Pubmed ID

21209491

DOI

10.3233/RNN-2010-0547

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-78650261810 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   22 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: We recently developed a new method for efficient generation of neural-like cells from mice bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) by exposing MSCs to epigenetic modifiers and a neural stem cell environment. These neurally induced MSCs (NI-MSCs) differentiate into neuronal- and glial-like cells in vitro, release neurotrophic factors NGF and BDNF, survive and integrate after transplantation in intact spinal cord. The aim of this study was to determine whether transplanted NI-MSCs survive, differentiate, and integrate in injured spinal cord (ISC) rats and promote functional recovery.

METHODS: Twenty rats, half grafted with MSCs and half with NI-MSCs, were used for survival and differentiation studies. Results were analyzed using triple-labeled immunohistochemistry. For motor function studies the 3 group of adult female Sprague Dawley rats received PBS (vehicle), MSCs, or NI-MSCs, respectively. Functional outcome was measured using the BBB scale.

RESULTS: Results demonstrated gradual improvement of locomotor function in NI-MSC-transplanted rats in comparison to vehicle and non-modified MSC-transplanted animals, with statistically significant differences at 7, 14, and 21 days post transplantation. Immunocytochemical studies revealed poor survival of NI-MSCs within the ISC as early as 3 weeks after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, there is a correlation between the degree of surviving NI-MSCs and extent of functional recovery.

Author List

Alexanian AR, Kwok WM, Pravdic D, Maiman DJ, Fehlings MG

Authors

Arshak R. Alexanian VMD, PhD Adjunct Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Wai-Meng Kwok PhD Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Analysis of Variance
Animals
Cell Differentiation
Cell Survival
Female
Immunohistochemistry
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
Motor Activity
Neural Stem Cells
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Recovery of Function
Spinal Cord Injuries