Chondroitinase ABC combined with Schwann cell transplantation enhances restoration of neural connection and functional recovery following acute and chronic spinal cord injury

NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01338 · Published: June 3, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This research explores a combination therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI) using Schwann cell transplantation and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery. The study found that ChABC, an enzyme that degrades glial scar tissue, enhances the migration of transplanted Schwann cells, leading to improved axonal regrowth and functional outcomes in rats with SCI. The positive effects of this combined approach, including enhanced nerve regeneration and functional recovery, were observed even when treatment was delayed, suggesting potential for treating chronic SCI.

Study Duration

6 Months

Participants

Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 12/group)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) treatment effectively degraded CSPGs, reduced glial response, and promoted the migration of grafted Schwann cells (SCs) in the injured spinal cord.
2
The combination of SC transplantation and lenti-ChABC treatment significantly reduced glial reactivity, lesion volume, and cavitation compared to vehicle or lenti-ChABC groups.
3
The combined treatment promoted the growth of serotonergic (5-HT+) and dopaminergic (TH+) axons into and beyond the lesion site, correlating with improved locomotor function.

Research Summary

This study investigates the efficacy of combining Schwann cell (SC) transplantation with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to enhance neural repair and functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. The results demonstrate that ChABC-mediated degradation of CSPGs facilitates SC migration, leading to increased axonal regeneration, reduced glial scarring, and improved sensorimotor and urinary bladder functions. The combinatorial treatment shows promise for both acute and chronic SCI, with long-term survival of grafted SCs and sustained axonal regeneration, suggesting potential clinical applications.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Strategy

Combining ChABC with Schwann cell transplantation offers a more effective therapeutic strategy for SCI compared to either therapy alone.

Clinical Translation

The findings support further investigation into the clinical translation of this combinatorial approach for treating SCI in humans.

Chronic SCI Treatment

The study provides evidence that this strategy may be effective even in chronic SCI cases, expanding potential treatment options.

Study Limitations

1
The number of animals in the chronic injury experiment was limited.
2
Mechanisms underlying ChABC-induced Schwann cell migration remain to be fully understood.
3
Whether enhanced expression of serotonergic and/or dopaminergic fibers was due to axonal sparring, sprouting, or regeneration needs further study.

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