Transplantation of canine olfactory ensheathing cells producing chondroitinase ABC promotes chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan digestion and axonal sprouting following spinal cord injury

This study explores a novel approach to spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment by transplanting genetically modified canine olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) into rats with SCI. These OECs are engineered to produce chondroitinase ABC, an enzyme that breaks down substances inhibiting nerve repair. The modified OECs effectively digested the inhibitory substances at the injury site, leading to increased nerve fiber sprouting and regeneration. This suggests a potential strategy for promoting neural repair after SCI. The combination of cell transplantation and enzyme delivery may offer a promising therapeutic avenue for SCI, potentially applicable to both veterinary and human medicine.

• 1
  Genetically modified canine OECs survived transplantation into rat spinal cord lesions for at least four weeks.
• 2
  The transplanted OECs effectively digested chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) at the site of injury, as evidenced by C4S labeling.
• 3
  There was an increase in axonal sprouting within the corticospinal tract rostral to the lesion and an increase in the number of corticospinal axons caudal to the lesion, suggestive of axonal regeneration.