Effects of amyloid precursor protein peptide APP96-110, alone or with human mesenchymal stromal cells, on recovery after spinal cord injury

This study investigates whether a peptide called APP96-110, known for protecting brain cells after stroke and brain injury, can also help after spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers injected the peptide, alone or combined with human stem cells, into rats with spinal cord injuries and monitored their recovery over eight weeks. The results showed some positive effects, like reduced tissue damage, when the peptide was used with stem cells, but the overall functional improvements were not consistent.

• 1
  mAPP96-110 alone, and APP96-110 in combination with both viable and non-viable hMSCs significantly reduced cyst size compared to SCI alone.
• 2
  Combined treatments with donor hMSCs also significantly increased βIII tubulin+, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP+) and laminin+ expression, and decreased ED1+ expression in tissues.
• 3
  This preliminary study demonstrates that intravenous delivery of APP96-110 peptide has selective, modest neuroprotective effects following SCI, which may be enhanced when combined with hMSC transplantation.