FGF-2-Responsive and Spinal Cord-Resident Cells Improve Locomotor Function after Spinal Cord Injury

JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA, 2014 · DOI: 10.1089/neu.2009.1108 · Published: September 15, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) to improve locomotor function after complete spinal cord injury in rats. FGF-2 was injected into the spinal cord tissue around the injury site, leading to marked improvement in locomotor function. The improvement was associated with the infiltration of FGF-2-induced fibronectin-positive cells (FIFs) into the injury site, suggesting their role in axonal regeneration.

Study Duration

6 Weeks

Participants

Female Wistar rats (7 weeks of age)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
FGF-2 injection markedly improved locomotor function in rats after complete spinal cord transection.
2
FGF-2 induced fibronectin-positive cells (FIFs) infiltrated the injury site and filled cystic cavities, promoting axonal penetration.
3
Transplantation of FIFs into the lesion site dramatically improved locomotor function.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that FGF-2 administration into the spinal cord dramatically enhanced locomotor functional recovery after complete transection of the spinal cord in rats. The FGF-2-enhanced recovery of hindlimb locomotor function was mediated by the massive induction of FIFs that provided an environment that promotes axonal growth. The transplantation of FIFs into the lesion site dramatically improved locomotor function to a degree that has never before been reported.

Practical Implications

Cell Therapy Potential

The study suggests that autologous transplantation of FGF-2-induced cells is a promising cell therapy for spinal cord injury.

Drug Target

FGF-2 is a potential drug target for promoting axonal regeneration and functional recovery after SCI.

Combination Therapy

FIFs may be most effective in combination with other therapies, such as inhibitory compounds.

Study Limitations

1
Cell origin and lineage of FIFs, particularly human ones, need further investigation.
2
Efficacy of FGF-2 treatment in a contusion model of SCI needs to be addressed.
3
The study used complete spinal cord transection, which may not fully represent the more common contusion injuries.

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