A cellular spinal cord scaffold seeded with rat adipose‑derived stem cells facilitates functional recovery via enhancing axon regeneration in spinal cord injured rats

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI), usually resulting in severe sensory and motor deficits, is a major public health concern. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), one type of adult stem cell, are free from ethical restriction, easily isolated and enriched. Therefore, ADSCs may provide a feasible cell source for cell-based therapies in treatment of SCI. The present study successfully isolated rat ADSCs (rADSCs) from Sprague-Dawley male rats and co-cultured them with acellular spinal cord scaffolds (ASCs). Then, a rat spinal cord hemisection model was built and rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: SCI only, ASC only, and ASC + ADSCs. Furthermore, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate functional recovery. Hematoxylin & Eosin staining and immunofluorence were carried out to assess histopathological remodeling. In addition, biotinylated dextran amines anterograde tracing was employed to visualize axon regeneration. The data demonstrated that harvested cells, which were positive for cell surface antigen cluster of differentiation (CD) 29, CD44 and CD90 and negative for CD4, detected by flow cytometry analysis, held the potential to differentiate into osteocytes and adipocytes. Rats that received transplantation of ASCs seeded with rADSCs benefited greatly in functional recovery through facilitation of histopathological rehabilitation, axon regeneration and reduction of reactive gliosis. rADSCs co-cultured with ASCs may survive and integrate into the host spinal cord on day 14 post-SCI.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Current Applications and Future Directions in the Regeneration of Multiple Tissues

“…Therefore, controlling the inflammatory response after injury may have potential as a therapeutic option [ 121 ]. Yin and colleagues seeded ADSCs on acellular spinal cord scaffolds and demonstrated that this model enhanced functional recovery in spinal cord-injured rats by promoting axon regeneration and reducing reactive gliosis [ 122 ]. An ongoing multidisciplinary clinical trial also presents positive results [ 123 ].…”

Effects of Resistance Training on Oxidative Stress Markers and Muscle Damage in Spinal Cord Injured Rats

“…A laminectomy and then a partial transection at the right side using micro scissors and a scalpel was performed and then the muscles and skin were sutured in layers. Postoperative treatment included antibiotic therapy (Pencivet ® ) intramuscularly to small animals [ 19 ]. The animals were placed in an appropriate box, isolated from other animals and accommodated in an air-conditioned room for post-surgical recovery.…”

Combating COVID-19 with tissue engineering: a review

“…Each material used has superior features. For example, acellular scaffolds facilitate axonal regeneration, accelerating functional recovery [134]. It also offers the closest 3D structure to the natural ECM structure [130].…”