Cotransplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitors and Schwann Cells in a Rat Spinal Cord Contusion Injury Model Elicits a Distinct Neurogenesis and Functional Recovery

Abstract

Cotransplantation of neural progenitors (NPs) with Schwann cells (SCs) might be a way to overcome low rate of neuronal differentiation of NPs following transplantation in spinal cord injury (SCI) and the improvement of locomotor recovery. In this study, we initially generated NPs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and investigated their potential for neuronal differentiation and functional recovery when cocultured with SCs in vitro and cotransplanted in a rat acute model of contused SCI. Cocultivation results revealed that the presence of SCs provided a consistent status for hESC-NPs and recharged their neural differentiation toward a predominantly neuronal fate. Following transplantation, a significant functional recovery was observed in all engrafted groups (NPs, SCs, NPs + SCs) relative to the vehicle and control groups. We also observed that animals receiving cotransplants established a better state as assessed with the BBB functional test. Immunohistofluorescence evaluation 5 weeks after transplantation showed invigorated neuronal differentiation and limited proliferation in the cotransplanted group when compared to the individual hESC-NPgrafted group. These findings have demonstrated that the cotransplantation of SCs with hESC-NPs could offer a synergistic effect, promoting neuronal differentiation and functional recovery.

Peripheral Nerve Injury: Stem Cell Therapy and Peripheral Nerve Transfer

“…These cells promote nerve regeneration, release neural growth factors, and reduce the need for immunosuppressants by augmenting the compatibility of transplanted and host tissues. Additionally, functional recovery within a spinal cord injury model is enhanced by the co-culture and transplantation of Schwann cells with neural stem cells by promoting the stem cells' differentiation into neurons [63]. …”

Assessment of Neuroprotective Properties ofMelissa officinalisin Combination With Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells After Spinal Cord Injury

“…The transplanted group indicated better functional recovery than the untreated ones (Rodrigues et al., 2012). There is sufficient evidence which prove that stem cell therapy could be effective in spinal cord injuries but a strategy to potentiate this stem cell transplantation results is required (Niapour et al., 2012; Chhabra and Sarda, 2015). …”

Neural progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells generated less autogenous immune response

“…Furthermore, no significant expression of perforin or granzyme B was detected following stimulation of autogenous immune effector cells (CD3 The ability of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers represents a great potential avenue for cell-based transplantation medicine [1,2]. Recently, therapeutics derived from human ESCs have been used in animal models of diseases, such as Parkinson's disease [3,4], ischemic-reperfusion injury [5], and spinal cord injury [6]. However, several challenges to human ESC-based therapy have arisen.…”