Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4325952 | Brain Research | 2011 | 12 Pages |
An animal model for clip spinal cord injury (SCI) was used to determine whether Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) genetically modified human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (NT-3-HUMSCs) could promote the morphologic and functional recovery of injured spinal cords. Using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores and a grid test, the rats in the HUMSC-treated and NT-3-HUMSCs groups had significantly improved locomotor functional recovery more than the control group. In comparison, the NT-3-HUMSCs group achieved better functional recovery than the HUMSCs group at the end of 12 weeks after SCI. The functional recovery was accompanied by increased intensity of 5-HT fibers, increased volume of spared myelination, and decreased area of the cystic cavity in the NT-3-HUMSCs group compared with the HUMSCs group. Moreover, transplanted NT-3-HUMSCs survived and produced larger amounts of NT-3 than the HUMSCs in the host spinal cord. These results show that NT-3 enhanced the therapeutic effects of HUMSCs after clip injury of the spinal cord.
Research highlights► Genetic transfer of NT-3 enhanced the therapeutic effects of HUMSCs after compression injury of the spinal cord. ► Cell transplantation combining with gene transfer is a potential way to attack acute spinal cord injury. ► The neuroprotection effects of NT-3 could be the underlying mechanisms of the locomotor functional recovery in this study.