Magnetic resonance imaging tracking and assessing repair function of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in a rat model of spinal cord injury

Abstract

The transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to repair spinal cord injury (SCI) has become a promising therapy. However, there is still a lack of visual evidence directly implicating the transplanted cells as the source of the improvement of spinal cord function. In this study, BMSCs were labeled with NF-200 promoter and lipase-activated gadolinium-containing nanoparticles (Gd-DTPA-FA). Double labeled BMSCs were implanted into spinal cord transaction injury in rat models in situ, the function recovery was evaluated on 1st, 7th, 14th, 28 th days by MRI, Diffusion Tensor Imaing, CT imaging and post-processing, and histological observations. BBB scores were used for assessing function recovery. After transplantation of BMSCs, the hypersignal emerged in spinal cord in T1WI starting at day 7 that was focused at the injection site, which then increased and extended until day 14. Subsequently, the increased signal intensity area rapidly spread from the injection site to entire injured segment lasting four weeks. The diffusion tensor tractography and histological analysis both showed the nerve fibre from dividing to connecting partly. Immunofluorescence showed higher expression of NF-200 in Repaired group than Injury group. Electron microscopy showed detachment and loose of myelin lamellar getting better in Repaired group compared with the Injury group. BBB scores in Repaired group were significantly higher than those of injury animals. Our study suggests that the migration and distribution of Gd-DTPA-FA labeled BMSCs can be tracked using MRI. Transplantation of BMSCs represents a promising potential strategy for the repair of SCI.

Gambogic acid inhibits spinal cord injury and inflammation through suppressing the p38 and Akt signaling pathways

“…Behavioral testing and water content of the spinal cord. All rats were assessed with the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale test (15). A score of 0 indicated complete hind limb paralysis, and a score of 21 denoted completely normal locomotor function.…”

Schwann Cell Precursor Transplant in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model

“…Cell therapies in the central nervous system include replacing cells lost to injury with cells derived from an outside source. These have the advantage of integrating into the injury site, restoring the lost neural circuits, and promoting neuronal plasticity [9][10][11] . However, among the obstacles are the obtention of these cells and their reproducibility in cell culture systems.…”

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

“…To treat nerve tissue injuries of the CNS, current research involves a variety of different aspects and techniques of cell therapy and tissue engineering. To monitor therapy progress and functional recovery or guide stem cell injection to the injury site, cells or applied biomaterials can be labeled with IONPs and thereby be monitored by several imaging modalities, such as MRI or microwave and optical imaging, among others [432][433][434][435][436][437][438][439][440][441]. The use of biomaterials can promote regeneration by providing structuring fiber scaffolds or ECM-like matrices to regenerate axons [442].…”