Rehabilitative Training Enhances Therapeutic Effect of Human iPSC-Derived Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Transplantation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 2023 · DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szac089 · Published: January 17, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This research explores a combined treatment for chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NS/PCs) transplantation and rehabilitative training. The study found that rehabilitative training enhances the survival and neuronal differentiation of transplanted hiPSC-NS/PCs, leading to improved motor function in a rodent model of chronic SCI. The findings suggest that combining hiPSC-NS/PCs transplantation with rehabilitative training could be a promising therapeutic strategy for promoting functional recovery even in chronic SCI cases.

Study Duration

15 weeks

Participants

Female NOD-SCID mice (8 weeks old, 16-20 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Rehabilitative training promoted the survival rate and neuronal differentiation of transplanted hiPSC-NS/PCs in the chronic SCI model.
2
The combination therapy enhanced the expressions of BDNF and NT-3 proteins in the spinal cord tissue, indicating increased neurotrophic support.
3
Rehabilitative training promoted neuronal activity and increased 5-HT-positive fibers at the lumbar enlargement, contributing to improved motor functions.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates the efficacy of the combination therapy of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (hiPSC-NS/PCs) transplantation and rehabilitative training in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Rehabilitative training was able to enhance the survival and neuronal differentiation of transplanted hiPSC-NS/PCs, significantly improving motor function. These findings indicate that a therapeutic strategy that combines hiPSC-NS/PCs transplantation and rehabilitation could form the basis of regenerative therapy in cases of chronic SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The combined therapy of hiPSC-NS/PCs transplantation and rehabilitative training could be a viable treatment strategy for chronic SCI patients.

Regenerative Rehabilitation

Combining regenerative medicine with optimized rehabilitation protocols may enhance functional recovery in SCI.

Neurotrophic Support

Enhancing neurotrophic factor expression through combined therapies can promote neuronal survival and differentiation in SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study used a moderate contusive injury to the thoracic spinal cord as the type of SCI model.
2
The results do not explain the enhanced synaptic formation between the transplanted cells and host caused as a result of rehabilitative training.
3
No direct evidence existed that elevated neurotrophic factors promoted the survival rate, neuronal differentiation of transplanted cells, and subsequent improvement in motor function.

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