Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells promote functional recovery in a rat spinal cord hemisection model

Cell Death & Disease, 2018 · DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0847-8 · Published: August 1, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

This research investigates the potential of menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) to aid recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. SCI often leads to permanent motor and sensory deficits due to the limited regeneration of damaged axons. The study found that transplanting MenSCs into rats with incomplete spinal cord injuries improved their hind limb motor function and reduced cavity formation at the injury site. MenSCs treatment also showed more mature neurons. The researchers found that MenSCs transplantation promoted axon growth, reduced glial scar formation, and enhanced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for neuron survival and growth, in the injured area.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

72 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Level II: Animal study

Key Findings

1
MenSCs transplantation improved hind limb motor function in rats with spinal cord injury, as measured by BBB scores.
2
MenSCs treatment reduced cavity formation in the lesion site and increased the survival of neurons, indicated by H&E and Nissl staining.
3
MenSCs promoted axonal regeneration and reduced glial scar formation in the lesion site, evidenced by increased NF-200 and decreased CS56 expression, respectively.

Research Summary

This study explores the therapeutic potential of human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment in a rat model. The results showed that MenSCs transplantation improved locomotor function, reduced cavity formation, increased neuron survival, promoted axonal regeneration, and reduced glial scar formation in SCI rats. The study suggests that MenSCs transplantation may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with SCI, mainly by enhancing the expression of BDNF.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

MenSCs could be a readily accessible and ethically less problematic source of stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries.

Mechanism Elucidation

The study highlights the role of BDNF in the therapeutic effects of MenSCs, providing insights into the mechanisms of spinal cord repair.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of MenSCs transplantation in larger animal models and eventually in clinical trials.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on a rat model, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The long-term effects of MenSCs transplantation were not fully investigated beyond 28 days.
3
The precise mechanisms by which MenSCs exert their therapeutic effects require further elucidation.

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