Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells versus adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for peripheral nerve regeneration

Abstract

Studies have confirmed that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used for treatment of several nervous system diseases. However, isolation of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) is an invasive and painful process and the yield is very low. Therefore, there is a need to search for other alterative stem cell sources. Adipose-derived MSCs (ADSCs) have phenotypic and gene expression profiles similar to those of BMSCs. The production of ADSCs is greater than that of BMSCs, and ADSCs proliferate faster than BMSCs. To compare the effects of venous grafts containing BMSCs or ADSCs on sciatic nerve injury, in this study, rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham (only sciatic nerve exposed), Matrigel (MG; sciatic nerve injury + intravenous transplantation of MG vehicle), ADSCs (sciatic nerve injury + intravenous MG containing ADSCs), and BMSCs (sciatic nerve injury + intravenous MG containing BMSCs) groups. Sciatic functional index was calculated to evaluate the function of injured sciatic nerve. Morphologic characteristics of nerves distal to the lesion were observed by toluidine blue staining. Spinal motor neurons labeled with Fluoro-Gold were quantitatively assessed. Compared with sham-operated rats, sciatic functional index was lower, the density of small-diameter fibers was significantly increased, and the number of motor neurons significantly decreased in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Neither ADSCs nor BMSCs significantly improved the sciatic nerve function of rats with sciatic nerve injury, increased fiber density, fiber diameters, axonal diameters, myelin sheath thickness, and G ratios (axonal diameter/fiber diameter ratios) in the sciatic nerve distal to the lesion site. There was no significant difference in the number of spinal motor neurons among ADSCs, BMSCs and MG groups. These results suggest that neither BMSCs nor ADSCs provide satisfactory results for peripheral nerve repair when using MG as the conductor for engraftment.

Adipose tissue stem cells in peripheral nerve regeneration—In vitro and in vivo

“…Also, a loss of large myelinated fibers, together with an increase in smaller myelinated fibers is observed, which indicates that axonal sprouting is enhanced by the presence of ASCs. However, the axonal sprouting occures both intra-and extra-fascicular, and the myelin sheath is thinner than found for the sham group (Fernandes et al, 2018).…”

“…Also, a loss of large myelinated fibers, together with an increase in smaller myelinated fibers is observed, which indicates that axonal sprouting is enhanced by the presence of ASCs. However, the axonal sprouting occures both intra‐ and extra‐fascicular, and the myelin sheath is thinner than found for the sham group (Fernandes et al., 2018). These findings can be interpreted that treatment with undifferentiated ASCs alone (with a vein as an outer guiding structure) does not promote peripheral nerve regeneration.…”

“…Morphometrically, the nerve fibers sprouting the Matrigel ® conduits show a minor diameter, and fewer motor neurons can be found (Fernandes et al, 2018).…”

Assessment of the Role of NOGO Gene Block in Enhancing the Neuro-regenerative Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

“…In contrast to peripheral nerves, central nervous system injury is not followed by regeneration as it is limited by inhibitory mechanisms of glial regeneration and the non permissive microenvironment [10].…”

Silencing of circRNA.2837 Plays a Protective Role in Sciatic Nerve Injury by Sponging the miR-34 Family via Regulating Neuronal Autophagy

“… 32 Stem cells, such as neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, have neuroprotective roles in peripheral nerve injury. 33 , 34 , 35 Attempts to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery with chemical compounds after SNI were also carried out in many studies. 36 , 37 In addition, studies have shown that artificial nerve conduits along with neurotrophins or stem cells can be used to regenerate peripheral nerves after injury as well.…”