The Morphofunctional Effect of the Transplantation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Predegenerated Peripheral Nerve in Chronic Paraplegic Rat Model via Spinal Cord Transection

Neural Plasticity, 2015 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/389520 · Published: June 7, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study explores methods to improve recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI often leads to limited recovery due to damage to nerve fibers and myelin. The researchers investigated whether combining two treatments—transplanting predegenerated peripheral nerve (PPN) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs)—could enhance nerve regrowth and myelin repair in rats with SCI. The results showed that the combined treatment led to greater nerve fiber regrowth and myelin formation, suggesting it's a promising approach for treating chronic SCI.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

39 female Fischer 344 rats with spinal cord transection, 25 male rats as sciatic nerve donors, and 20 male rats to obtain BMSCs

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The combined transplantation of PPN and BMSCs resulted in greater axonal regrowth and remyelination compared to controls, as evidenced by increased expression of GAP-43, neuritin, and myelin basic protein.
2
Electron microscopy revealed that the PPN + BMSCs group had a greater number of myelinated axons with well-defined structures, including newly formed axons surrounded by thin myelin sheaths.
3
Tissue integration analysis showed that the transplantation of PPN and PPN + BMSCs preserved the surrounding spinal cord structure and promoted good acceptance between the transplanted tissue and the preserved spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of combining predegenerated peripheral nerve (PPN) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantation on axonal regrowth, remyelination, and locomotor function in a rat model of spinal cord (SC) transection. The results demonstrated that the combined treatment of PPN and BMSCs is a favorable strategy for axonal regrowth and remyelination in a chronic SC transection model. The study suggests that the transplant of PPN + BMSCs in a chronic complete spinal cord transection model showed significantly great myelination in the preserved spinal cord rostral and caudal to the transplant area compared to PPN alone.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The combined PPN and BMSC transplantation strategy shows promise as a therapeutic approach for promoting axonal regeneration and remyelination in chronic spinal cord injury.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term functional effects of this combined therapy and explore new combinations to potentially increase locomotor function.

Clinical Translation

The findings may contribute to the development of novel clinical interventions aimed at improving functional recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on a rat model, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The functional follow-up period was relatively short, and long-term effects need further investigation.
3
Although there were significant locomotion differences between transplanted and nontransplanted animals, the improvement was modest.

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