Effect of Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Changes of Serum Levels of TNF-α and Locomotor Function after Spinal Cord Injury in Mice

Abstract

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is still a devastating clinical problem with irreversible consequences leading to permanent functional loss and life time disability. This study was conducted to assess the healing effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on locomotor function and changes of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) after SCI in mice. Forty two BALB/C mice were divided into 3 equal groups of control, SCI and treatment [transplantation of 5×10 4 Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSCs)]. The SCI was induced by compression for 2 min at T10 and injury bilaterally. The femoral and tibial bones were used for bone marrow isolation and culture was made using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum, L-glutamine and penicillin/streptomycin. Cell morphology was evaluated in all passages. Characterization of BMSCs was conducted by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and by osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The ELISA was undertaken for TNF-α. Open field locomotion was evaluated by Toyama mouse score. The BMSCs were plastic adherent and fibroblastic spindle-shape. MSCs were positive for CD90 and negative for CD34 and CD45. Osteogenic differentiation was noticed when stained with alizarin red. The serum TNF-α level increased after 24 h, 3 and 5 weeks post-SCI and was time dependent. The neurological score significantly improved after 8 weeks after BMSC transplantation. Transplantation of BMSCs was shown to decrease the TNF-α level and inflammation in injured spinal cord and improve the neurological outcome. These findings can be added to the literature for reduction of inflammation in SCI and improvement of neurological outcome after transplantation of BMSCs.

Regenerative Capacities of Chitosan-Nanoselenium Conduit on Transected Sciatic Nerve in Diabetic Rats: An Animal Model Study

“…The nerve fibers degenerate and the muscle atrophies [21]. Poor outcome from peripheral nerve injury is especially evident when repair is delayed [22]. In order to improve the poor functional outcome of delayed nerve repair, some studies proposed effective methods to promote axonal regeneration.…”