Neurotrophin Expressions in Neural Stem Cells Grafted Acutely to Transected Spinal Cord of Adult Rats Linked to Functional Improvement

Cell Mol Neurobiol, 2012 · DOI: 10.1007/s10571-012-9832-4 · Published: May 10, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are known to help repair spinal cord injuries, but how they do this is not fully understood. This study found that transplanting NSCs into rats with spinal cord injuries improved their ability to use their hind legs. The transplanted NSCs released substances called neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, and NT-3), which support nerve cell survival and function. The study found that two of these, BDNF and NT-3, were particularly increased in the injured spinal cord after NSC transplantation. Additionally, the researchers observed a decrease in a gene called caspase-3, which is involved in cell death. This suggests that NSCs may help protect nerve cells from dying after a spinal cord injury, contributing to functional recovery.

Study Duration

1 Month

Participants

75 adult Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Level II; Experimental study in rats

Key Findings

1
Transplantation of NSCs significantly improved hindlimb locomotor functions in adult rats subjected to transection of the spinal cord.
2
Only mRNA expression of BDNF and NT-3 but not NGF in injury segment following NSC transplantation was upregulated remarkably.
3
Caspase-3, a crucial apoptosis gene, was downregulated simultaneously following NSC transplantation.

Research Summary

This study investigates the mechanism by which neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation improves functional outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The study found that NSC transplantation improved hindlimb locomotor function, which correlated with increased expression of BDNF and NT-3, and decreased expression of caspase-3 in the injured spinal cord. These findings suggest that NSC transplantation promotes functional recovery after SCI by modulating neurotrophic factor expression and reducing apoptosis.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Strategy

NSC grafting into damaged spinal cord tissue could be a potential therapeutic strategy.

Molecular Evidences

The study provides new molecular evidences for the beneficial effects of NSC grafting into damaged spinal cord tissue.

Clinical Trials

The findings are available to develop NSC therapeutic strategy in future clinic trial.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The exact mechanisms by which BDNF, NT-3, and caspase-3 contribute to functional recovery require further investigation.
3
The long-term effects of NSC transplantation were not assessed in this study.

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