Boundary cap neural crest stem cells homotopically implanted to the injured dorsal root transitional zone give rise to different types of neurons and glia in adult rodents

BMC Neuroscience, 2014 · DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-60 · Published: May 5, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) are a special type of cell that exists temporarily during development where sensory nerves connect to the spinal cord. After an injury called dorsal root avulsion, where these nerve roots are torn away, researchers explored if transplanting bNCSCs could help. The researchers found that the transplanted bNCSCs survived well and turned into different types of cells. Some became support cells for nerve regrowth, while others transformed into various kinds of spinal cord neurons. These findings suggest that bNCSCs could be a useful tool for helping sensory nerves regenerate into the spinal cord and for replacing nerve cells lost due to injury.

Study Duration

1-2 weeks, 1 month

Participants

6 adult female Sprague–Dawley rats and 13 adult male nu/nu NMRI mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Transplanted bNCSCs showed extensive survival and differentiation after transplantation to the avulsed DRTZ.
2
bNCSCs located outside the spinal cord organized elongated tubes of Sox2/GFAP expressing cells closely associated with regenerating sensory axons.
3
bNCSCs migrating into the host spinal cord differentiated to spinal cord neurons with different neurotransmitter characteristics.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) to aid sensory axon regeneration after dorsal root avulsion injury in adult rodents. bNCSCs were implanted into the injured dorsal root transitional zone (DRTZ). The results showed that the grafted cells survived and differentiated extensively. Cells outside the spinal cord formed tubes associated with regenerating axons, while cells migrating into the spinal cord differentiated into various types of neurons. The study concludes that bNCSCs exhibit remarkable differentiation plasticity and can potentially assist in sensory axon regeneration and neuronal replacement in spinal cord injuries.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

bNCSCs could be used as a cell-based therapy to promote sensory axon regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Understanding Cell Plasticity

The study provides insights into the differentiation plasticity of bNCSCs and their response to the injury environment.

Regenerative Medicine

The findings contribute to the development of regenerative medicine strategies for spinal cord repair.

Study Limitations

1
The study was performed on rodents, and the results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The exact mechanisms by which bNCSCs promote axon regeneration require further investigation.
3
Long-term functional outcomes of bNCSC transplantation were not assessed.

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