The Ability of Human Schwann Cell Grafts to Promote Regeneration in the Transected Nude Rat Spinal Cord

Ensheathing Cells and Methylprednisolone Promote Axonal Regeneration and Functional Recovery in the Lesioned Adult Rat Spinal Cord

“…However, progress is being made in animal research. Numerous treatment strategies are being investigated to repair damaged axons after SCI in rats (David and Aguayo, 1981;Goldberg and Bernstein, 1987;Schnell and Schwab, 1993;Joosten et al, 1995;Xu et al, 1995;Chen et al, 1996;Kalderon and Fuks, 1996;Bregman et al, 1997;Guest et al, 1997;Oudega et al, 1997;Ye and Houle, 1997;.…”

“…Among these strategies are the transplantation of various cell types, including fetal cells (Kunkel-Bagden and Bregman, 1990;Bernstein-Goral and Bregman, 1997;Mori et al, 1997;Bregman et al, 1998;Diener and Bregman, 1998a;McDonald, 1999) and Schwann cells (Kuhlengel et al, 1990;Li and Raisman, 1994;Xu et al, 1995;Chen et al, 1996;Martin et al, 1996;Guest et al, 1997). Fetal spinal cord transplants have been shown to support the regrowth of CST, raphespinal, and rubrospinal axons (Diener and Bregman, 1998b), as well as promote functional recovery after injuries to the neonatal spinal cord (Diener and Bregman, 1998a).…”

“…Schwann cells have been found to be most effective when transplanted immediately after lesioning, resulting in reduced gliosis, improved Schwann cell survival, and improved regeneration of axons (Martin et al, 1996). Transplanted Schwann cells have been shown to induce axonal sprouting (Li and Raisman, 1994), regrowth into the lesion , and, when used in combination with methylprednisolone, the regrowth of axons beyond the lesion into the host spinal cord and produce modest functional improvement (Guest et al, 1997). Although transplanted Schwann cells encourage axonal regrowth and improve function, Schwann cells do not thrive well in the CNS.…”

Setting the stage for functional repair of spinal cord injuries: a cast of thousands

“…208,209 Finally, Schwann cells can be obtained from adult peripheral nerve and rapidly expanded for autologous transplantation: human SCs have been successfully isolated, examined in vitro, and implanted into the injured rat spinal cord. [210][211][212] Schwann cell transplantation at the site of SCI in the adult rat enjoys a prolific history and has been reviewed previously. 213 Many experiments have tested a SC-filled PAN/PVC polymer channel, grafted at the site of acute thoracic transection in the adult rat.…”

“…213 Many experiments have tested a SC-filled PAN/PVC polymer channel, grafted at the site of acute thoracic transection in the adult rat. 154,211,212,[214][215][216][217][218][219] Without genetic modification or addition of neurotrophic factors, SC-filled grafts fuse with the cut stumps of the spinal cord, support ingrowth of propriospinal, sensory, and brainstem-spinal axons, and may underlie modest recovery of function, such as rhythmic stepping. 213 However, supraspinal axons that enter SC bridges typically do not exit caudally to re-enter the spinal cord.…”