Transplantation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Derived Schwann Cells Promotes Axonal Regeneration and Functional Recovery after Complete Transection of Adult Rat Spinal Cord

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether transplantation of Schwann cells derived from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC-SCs) promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery in completely transected spinal cord in adult rats. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were induced to differentiate into Schwann cells in vitro. A 4-mm segment of rat spinal cord was removed completely at the T7 level. An ultra-filtration membrane tube, filled with a mixture of Matrigel (MG) and BMSC-SCs (BMSC-SC group) or Matrigel alone (MG group), was grafted into the gap. In the BMSC-SC group, the number of neurofilament- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive nerve fibers was significantly higher compared to the MG group, although 5-hydroxytryptamine- or calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive fibers were rarely detectable in both groups. In the BMSC-SC group, significant recovery of the hindlimb function was recognized, which was abolished by retransection of the graft 6 weeks after transplantation. These results demonstrate that transplantation of BMSC-SCs promotes axonal regeneration of lesioned spinal cord, resulting in recovery of hindlimb function in rats. Transplantation of BMSC-SCs is a potentially useful treatment for spinal cord injury.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells for the repair of central nervous system injury

“…MSC-derived Schwann cells plus Matrigel, a synthetic scaffold material, were shown to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery after complete transection of the adult rat spinal cord. 87 Cells 'neurally' induced in vitro were transplanted into rhesus monkeys resulting in functional recovery. 88 In another study, MSCs supported modest growth of sensory and motor axons 1 month after grafting directly into the injured cervical spinal cord of rats, but in contrast, cells 'neurally' induced in vitro did not sustain this phenotype in vivo, and did not provide extra benefit.…”

In vitro evaluation of PLLA/PBS sponges as a promisingbiodegradable scaffold for neural tissue engineering

“…The idea was also supported by Yuan et al (2009), who showed that transplantation of Schwann cells alone had drawbacks such as short migration distance and that 3-D scaffolds gain importance for providing growth of nerve fibers and regeneration. Kamada et al (2005) seeded bone-marrow stromal cell-derived Schwann cells on a nondegradable tubular scaffold made of polyether sulfone ultrafiltration membrane and implanted the scaffold in a transected rat spinal cord. It was observed that central axon regrowth was promoted and functional recovery was enhanced as a result of implantation.…”

Autologous Macrophages Genetically Modified by Ex Vivo Electroporation and Inserted by Lumbar Puncture Migrate and Concentrate in Damaged Spinal Cord Tissue: A Safe and Easy Gene Transfer Method for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury

“…These reports show that implantation of several kinds of cells into the damaged nervous tissue may promote neuronal regeneration. The candidates for donor cells for spinal cord injuries are bone marrow stromal cells (Kamada et al, 2005), macrophages (Rapalino et al, 1998;Schwartz et al, 1999) and neural stem cells (Iwanami et al, 2005). However, direct injection of the cells into the spinal cord may be a dangerous procedure for clinical use.…”