Enhanced Functional Recovery from Spinal Cord Injury in Aged Mice after Stem Cell Transplantation through HGF Induction

Stem Cell Reports, 2017 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.01.013 · Published: February 16, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

This research investigates the effectiveness of neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation in treating spinal cord injuries (SCI) in elderly individuals, addressing the increasing number of elderly patients with SCI and the limited treatment options available. The study found that NSC transplantation was surprisingly effective in aged mice, even more so than in young mice, despite the aged mice initially exhibiting more severe neurological deficits after SCI. The researchers identified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a key factor in the enhanced functional recovery observed in aged mice after NSC transplantation, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI in elderly patients.

Study Duration

5-7 weeks post-transplantation

Participants

Young (2-3 months) and aged (15-18 months) mice

Evidence Level

Animal study

Key Findings

1
Aged mice exhibited less functional recovery from SCI than young mice, with higher mortality rates and larger damaged areas in the spinal cord.
2
NSC transplantation was as effective in aged mice as in young mice after SCI, with aged mice showing better survival of grafted NSCs and comparable improvements in motor performance.
3
HGF was identified as a crucial factor in the enhanced functional recovery of aged mice after NSC transplantation, promoting NSC proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and synapse formation.

Research Summary

This study investigates the efficacy of neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation in aged mice with spinal cord injury (SCI). It addresses the increasing number of elderly patients with SCI and the limited treatment options available. The study reveals that NSC transplantation is surprisingly effective in aged mice, even more so than in young mice, despite aged mice exhibiting more severe neurological deficits after SCI. NSCs grafted into aged mice exhibited better survival than those grafted into young mice. The research identifies hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as a key factor in the enhanced functional recovery observed in aged mice after NSC transplantation. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic modality for SCI, even in elderly patients.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential for Elderly SCI Patients

NSC transplantation could be a viable therapeutic option for elderly patients with SCI, who often have poorer outcomes with conventional treatments.

HGF as a Therapeutic Target

HGF induction or administration could enhance the effectiveness of cell transplantation therapies for SCI, particularly in aged individuals.

Understanding Age-Related SCI Differences

Further research into the molecular differences between young and aged SCI may lead to the development of targeted therapies to improve functional recovery.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on mice, and results may not directly translate to human patients.
2
Further evaluation of non-neural cell transplantation is needed for a comprehensive understanding of SCI treatment in aged subjects.
3
The mechanisms underlying the distinct gene expression patterns in aged mice after SCI require further investigation.

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