Priming with FGF2 stimulates human dental pulp cells to promote axonal regeneration and locomotor function recovery after spinal cord injury

Scientific Reports, 2017 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13373-5 · Published: September 22, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Human dental pulp cells (DPCs) were treated with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) for 5–6 consecutive serial passages and were transplanted into the injury site immediately after complete transection of the rat spinal cord. FGF2 priming facilitated the DPCs to promote axonal regeneration and to improve locomotor function in the rat with spinal cord injury (SCI). These observations suggest that FGF2 priming might protect DPCs from the post-trauma microenvironment in which DPCs infiltrate and resident immune cells generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species.

Study Duration

7 weeks

Participants

Female Wistar rats (120–140 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Transplantation of DPC-FS markedly ameliorated SCI-induced hindlimb paralysis.
2
FGF2 priming increased the number of DPCs surviving, which provided neurotrophic factors to the injury site of the spinal cord after the cell transplantation, resulting in promotion of axonal regeneration
3
FGF2 treatment significantly decreased H2O2–induced DPC death

Research Summary

We found that pre-treatment of DPCs with FGF2 significantly increased locomotor function recovery in SCI rats in response to DPC transplantation. The FGF2 priming protected DPCs from H2O2-induced cell death in vitro and promoted axonal regeneration because of the increased number of DPCs surviving in the spinal cord after transplantation. These results indicate that FGF2 priming improves the survival of DPCs transplanted into the injury site, promoting axonal regeneration and locomotor function recovery in the SCI rat.

Practical Implications

Improved Cell Therapy for SCI

FGF2 priming enhances DPC survival and promotes axonal regeneration, improving locomotor function recovery in SCI rats.

Protection Against Oxidative Stress

FGF2 protects DPCs from oxidative stress-induced death, potentially improving cell therapy outcomes in the ROS-rich SCI environment.

Clinical Translation Considerations

The study highlights the importance of DPC transplantation methods and the need to consider safer routes of administration like lumbar punctures or intravenous injections for clinical applications.

Study Limitations

1
The study used a rat model, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The mechanism by which FGF2 confers oxidative stress resistance to DPCs requires further investigation.
3
The protective effect of DPC transplantation against secondary injury was not clear in the present study

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