Adult bone marrow mesenchymal and neural crest stem cells are chemoattractive and accelerate motor recovery in a mouse model of spinal cord injury

Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2015 · DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0202-2 · Published: September 3, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Immunology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) from adult bone marrow to improve recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. The researchers focused on how these cells affect inflammation, a key factor in SCI. The study found that both MSCs and NCSCs can promote motor recovery in mice with SCI. They also observed that these cells can modify the inflammatory response at the injury site. Further experiments showed that MSCs, in particular, secrete substances that attract macrophages, a type of immune cell, to the injury site. This suggests that MSCs and NCSCs may aid recovery by modulating the immune response after SCI.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

C57BL/6 J female mice (10- to 12-weeks old)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Both MSCs and NCSCs induced motor recovery in mice with spinal cord injury.
2
MSCs and NCSCs modified the inflammatory reaction in the lesion site after spinal cord injury.
3
MSCs, especially, secrete chemokines that attract macrophages in vitro.

Research Summary

This study compared the effects of adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) in a mouse model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Both cell types were found to induce motor recovery and modulate the inflammatory reaction at the injury site. In vitro experiments revealed that MSCs, in particular, secrete chemokines that attract macrophages. Furthermore, MSC injection enhanced early inflammatory events in the blood and spinal cord of SCI mice. The results suggest that both MSCs and NCSCs have beneficial effects in experimental SCI, warranting further investigation into the regulation of inflammatory reactions in stem cell-based therapies and early clinical management of SCI patients.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

MSCs and NCSCs could be used as a basis for new therapies for spinal cord injury.

Inflammation Management

Further research into how these cells regulate inflammation could lead to better strategies for managing the immune response after SCI.

Cell-Based Therapies

The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms of action of stem cells in SCI to improve the efficacy of cell-based therapies.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted in a mouse model, which may not fully reflect the complexity of human SCI.
2
The exact mechanisms by which MSCs and NCSCs modulate inflammation require further investigation.
3
The long-term effects of MSC and NCSC transplantation were not evaluated.

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