Intraspinal transplantation of motoneuron-like cell combined with delivery of polymer-based glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor for repair of spinal cord contusion injury

This study investigates a new approach to treat spinal cord injuries in rats using stem cells and a growth factor. The researchers transplanted motoneuron-like cells, which are cells similar to those that control movement, into the injured spinal cords of rats. Along with the cells, they also delivered glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a protein that helps nerve cells survive and function, using a special polymer-based delivery system. The goal was to see if this combined treatment could help the rats recover their motor function after a spinal cord contusion injury. The results showed that the combined therapy was more effective than either treatment alone, suggesting it could be a promising way to repair spinal cord injuries. The combined therapy exhibited superior promoting effects on recovery of motor function to transplantation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, adipose-derived stem cells or motoneurons alone.

• 1
  The combined therapy of motoneuron-like cell transplantation and GDNF delivery reduced cavity formation in the injured spinal cord.
• 2
  The combined treatment increased cell density at the transplantation site, indicating improved cell survival and integration.
• 3
  The combined therapy showed superior effects on the recovery of motor function compared to individual treatments of GDNF, adipose-derived stem cells, or motoneurons alone.