Comparison of the effects of two therapeutic strategies based on olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation and repetitive magnetic stimulation after spinal cord injury in female mice

J Neurosci Res, 2021 · DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24836 · Published: January 1, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This study investigates two potential therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI): olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation and repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS). The researchers compared the individual and combined effects of these therapies on tissue repair and functional recovery in mice with SCI. The experiment involved creating spinal cord injuries in mice and then treating them with either OEC transplantation, rTSMS, or a combination of both. The mice's recovery was assessed through bioluminescence, immunohistological analysis (examining tissue samples under a microscope), and behavioral experiments to measure their functional abilities. The study found that both OEC transplantation and rTSMS independently led to functional recovery after SCI. However, combining the two treatments did not produce any additional benefits. The treatments appear to work through different mechanisms, with rTSMS affecting scar tissue and OEC transplantation reducing inflammation.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

54 female C57BL/6 mice

Evidence Level

Level 2: Experimental study in animal model

Key Findings

1
rTSMS has a beneficial effect on modulating spinal scar tissue by reducing fibrosis, demyelination, and microglial cell activation, while increasing the astroglial component of the scar.
2
Primary bOEC transplantation decreases microglial reactivity, indicating a reduction in inflammation.
3
Both rTSMS and primary bOEC transplantation treatments induce functional recovery after SCI, but the combination of the two therapies does not provide any additional benefit in this experimental paradigm.

Research Summary

This study compared olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation and repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) individually and in combination as therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. The researchers assessed tissue repair and functional recovery following SCI. The findings indicate that rTSMS modulates the spinal scar by decreasing fibrosis and demyelination while increasing astroglial scar tissue, whereas bOEC transplantation reduces inflammation. Both treatments independently enhance functional recovery. Surprisingly, the combination of rTSMS and bOEC transplantation did not yield any additional benefits compared to the individual treatments, suggesting that they may act through different but non-synergistic mechanisms.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Strategies

Both OEC transplantation and rTSMS can be considered as individual therapeutic strategies for SCI, each with unique mechanisms of action.

Combination Therapy

Combining OEC transplantation and rTSMS may not provide additional benefits in this specific experimental paradigm, suggesting a need for optimizing the combination approach.

Mechanism Understanding

Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which OECs and rTSMS promote recovery and to identify potential synergistic effects.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on female mice, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to males.
2
The combination therapy approach was limited to simultaneous application of both treatments, and different timing paradigms may yield different results.
3
The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved after SCI are different between species.

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