Rat vibrissa dermal papilla cells promote healing of spinal cord injury following transplantation

This study investigates the potential of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) as an alternative to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for treating spinal cord injuries (SCIs). DPCs and BMSCs were taken from rats and transplanted into spinal cord lesion sites. The researchers compared the survival and therapeutic effects of DPC grafts versus BMSC grafts in rats with completely transected spinal cords. They used in vivo imaging and histochemical examinations to assess lesion filling, cell survival, axon formation, and blood vessel development. The study found that DPC grafts showed enhanced lesion filling and survival compared to BMSC grafts. Additionally, more axons and blood vessel-like structures formed within the lesion sites in the DPC transplant group.

• 1
  DPC grafts exhibited enhanced lesion filling and survival compared with BMSC grafts on days 14 and 21 post‑transplantation.
• 2
  More axons formed within the lesion sites in the DPC transplant group, indicating that DPCs may promote axonal growth in the host.
• 3
  CD31‑positive vessel‑like structures were more abundant in lesion sites near the grafted cells in the DPC group, suggesting that DPCs promote revascularization.