Transplantation of human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene-transfected Schwann cells for repairing spinal cord injury

This study explores a new approach to spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment by transplanting Schwann cells modified with the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene into rats with SCI. The hTERT gene helps cells proliferate and repair tissues. The study found that rats receiving these modified cells showed improved motor function, reduced cell death, and better nerve regeneration compared to those receiving unmodified cells. These findings suggest that using hTERT-modified Schwann cells could be a promising strategy for treating spinal cord injuries by promoting tissue repair and functional recovery.

• 1
  Transplantation of hTERT gene-transfected Schwann cells improved motor function in SCI rats between 1 and 4 weeks after model establishment.
• 2
  The number of apoptotic cells and the gene expression of aquaporin 4/9 and matrix metalloproteinase 9/2 decreased at the site of injury in the hTERT-transfected group compared with the non-transfected group.
• 3
  Spinal cord cavity and motor and sensory evoked potential latencies were reduced, while the number of PKH26-positive cells and the motor and sensory evoked potential amplitude increased in the hTERT-transfected group.