Human neural stem cells differentiate and promote locomotor recovery in spinal cord-injured mice

PNAS, 2005 · DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0507063102 · Published: September 27, 2005

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Researchers transplanted human neural stem cells (hCNS-SCns) into mice with spinal cord injuries to see if it could help them recover. The transplanted cells survived, moved to the injury site, and turned into different types of cells like neurons and oligodendrocytes. The mice that received the stem cells showed improved movement, and when the transplanted cells were removed, the movement benefits disappeared.

Study Duration

17 weeks post-transplantation

Participants

NOD-scid mice (n=38, n=30)

Evidence Level

Level 2: Experimental study in animal model

Key Findings

1
hCNS-SCns survive, engraft, differentiate, and are associated with locomotor improvements after traumatic spinal cord injury in NOD-scid mice.
2
Selective ablation of engrafted hCNS-SCns by diphtheria toxin (DT) results in loss of locomotor recovery.
3
Transplanted hCNS-SCns myelinate dysmyelinated axons in shiverer mutants, remyelinate axons in traumatically injured NOD-scid spinal cord, and differentiate into neurons exhibiting electron microscopic criteria consistent with synapse formation with mouse host neurons.

Research Summary

The study investigated the potential of human central nervous system stem cells (hCNS-SCns) to promote recovery in spinal cord-injured mice. The researchers found that hCNS-SCns survived, migrated, and differentiated into neurons and oligodendrocytes in the injured spinal cord, leading to improved locomotor function. Selective ablation of the engrafted hCNS-SCns reversed the locomotor recovery, suggesting that their presence is crucial for maintaining the observed improvements.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

hCNS-SCns may possess therapeutic potential for CNS injury and disease.

Remyelination Strategies

hCNS-SCns can remyelinate axons in models of demyelination, offering a potential avenue for treating demyelinating diseases.

Synaptic Integration

hCNS-SCns can form synapses with host neurons, suggesting a mechanism for functional integration and circuit repair after injury.

Study Limitations

1
Immunosuppression is needed for xenotransplantation.
2
The exact mechanisms of recovery require further investigation.
3
Additional animal studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of these cells for possible therapeutic use.

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