Fernanda Martins de Almeida1, Suelen Adriani Marques2, Bruna dos Santos Ramalho3, Tamires Braga Massoto2, Ana Maria Blanco Martinez3. 1. Laboratório de Neurodegeneração e Reparo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, campus Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. 2. Instituto de Biologia - Departamento de Neurobiologia - Laboratório de Regeneração Neural e Função - UFF - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 3. Laboratório de Neurodegeneração e Reparo, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Departamento de Patologia - Faculdade de Medicina - HUCFF -UFRJ - Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Despite substantial advances in surgical care and rehabilitation, the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) continue to present major challenges. Here we investigate whether transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in mice during the chronic stage of SCI has benefits in terms of morphological and functional outcomes. METHODS: Mice were subjected to laminectomy at the T9 level, followed by a 1 minute spinal cord compression with a vascular clip. Four weeks later, 8 × 105 MSCs obtained from GFP mice were injected into the injury site. After eight weeks the analyses were performed. RESULTS: The spinal cords of MSC-treated animals exhibited better white-matter preservation, greater numbers of fibers, higher levels of trophic factor expression, and better ultrastructural tissue organization. Furthermore, transplanted MSCs were not immunoreactive for neural markers, indicating that these cells mediate functional recovery through a paracrine effect, rather than by transforming into and replacing damaged glia in the spinal cord. MSC-treated mice also showed better functional improvement than control animals. CONCLUSION: We conclude that MSC-based cell therapy, even when applied during the chronic phase of SCI, leads to changes in a number of structural and functional parameters, all of which indicate improved recovery.
PURPOSE: Despite substantial advances in surgical care and rehabilitation, the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) continue to present major challenges. Here we investigate whether transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in mice during the chronic stage of SCI has benefits in terms of morphological and functional outcomes. METHODS:Mice were subjected to laminectomy at the T9 level, followed by a 1 minute spinal cord compression with a vascular clip. Four weeks later, 8 × 105 MSCs obtained from GFP mice were injected into the injury site. After eight weeks the analyses were performed. RESULTS: The spinal cords of MSC-treated animals exhibited better white-matter preservation, greater numbers of fibers, higher levels of trophic factor expression, and better ultrastructural tissue organization. Furthermore, transplanted MSCs were not immunoreactive for neural markers, indicating that these cells mediate functional recovery through a paracrine effect, rather than by transforming into and replacing damaged glia in the spinal cord. MSC-treated mice also showed better functional improvement than control animals. CONCLUSION: We conclude that MSC-based cell therapy, even when applied during the chronic phase of SCI, leads to changes in a number of structural and functional parameters, all of which indicate improved recovery.
Authors: Karen L Lankford; Edgardo J Arroyo; Katarzyna Nazimek; Krzysztof Bryniarski; Philip W Askenase; Jeffery D Kocsis Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-01-02 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Bruna Dos Santos Ramalho; Fernanda Martins de Almeida; Conrado Mendonça Sales; Silmara de Lima; Ana Maria Blanco Martinez Journal: Neural Regen Res Date: 2018-06 Impact factor: 5.135