Tailless-like (TLX) Protein Promotes Neuronal Differentiation of Dermal Multipotent Stem Cells and Beneﬁts Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Cell Mol Neurobiol, 2011 · DOI: 10.1007/s10571-010-9642-5 · Published: January 22, 2011

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This study investigates a protein called TLX and its effects on dermal multipotent stem cells (DMSCs). DMSCs are stem cells found in the skin that can turn into different types of cells. The study looks at whether TLX can help these stem cells become nerve cells and if this can help with spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in rats. Researchers modified DMSCs to produce TLX (TLX/DMSCs) and then observed that these cells proliferated more and were more likely to become nerve cells rather than other types of cells. This suggests that TLX promotes the development of DMSCs into neurons. When the TLX-modified DMSCs were transplanted into rats with spinal cord injuries, the rats showed improvement in movement and healing of the spinal cord. This indicates that TLX may have potential as a therapy for spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

12 weeks

Participants

Adult Sprague–Dawley rats (200–250 g)

Evidence Level

Original Research

Key Findings

1
TLX promotes the proliferation of DMSCs. TLX/DMSCs showed enhanced proliferation compared to parental DMSCs.
2
TLX preferentially induces neuronal differentiation of DMSCs, leading to a higher number of NF200-positive neurons and a reduction in GFAP-positive astrocytes.
3
Transplantation of TLX/DMSCs into rats with SCI led to significant improvement in locomotor recovery and healing of the SCI lesion.

Research Summary

The study cloned rat TLX cDNA and demonstrated that ectopic expression of TLX enhanced DMSC cell growth and shifts differentiation of DMSCs into neuronal rather than astrocytic phenotypes in vitro. TLX/DMSCs that were differentiated at the time of transplantation promoted functional recovery of SCI in vivo in rats. This study identifies TLX as a novel gene that may facilitate SCI treatment in the clinic.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury

TLX may serve as a promising therapy for SCI in the clinic.

Understanding Stem Cell Differentiation

The study provides insights into how TLX influences the differentiation of dermal stem cells into neurons.

Target for Drug Development

TLX could be a target for developing drugs that promote nerve regeneration after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats and may not directly translate to humans.
2
The long-term effects of TLX-expressing DMSCs transplantation were not fully evaluated.
3
The mechanisms by which TLX promotes neuronal differentiation were not fully elucidated.

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