Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells promotes the therapeutic effect of neural stem cells on spinal cord injury by inhibiting necrioptosis

This study explores a potential treatment for spinal cord injuries (SCI) using cell transplantation. Specifically, it investigates whether transplanting olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) alongside neural stem cells (NSCs) can improve the survival and effectiveness of NSCs in treating SCI in rats. The research focuses on how OECs might protect NSCs from dying in the hostile environment of the injured spinal cord. This environment can lead to a type of programmed cell death called necroptosis, which involves proteins like RIP3 and MLKL. The study also examines whether this combined transplantation approach can improve motor function and autonomic nerve function (controlling involuntary actions like skin responses) in rats with SCI. The overall goal is to assess the potential of OEC/NSC co-transplantation as a promising strategy for treating SCI patients.

• 1
  OEC/NSC co-transplantation improved motor function and autonomic nerve function in rats with SCI.
• 2
  Co-transplantation of OECs promoted NSC-induced neuroprotection and inhibited programmed necrosis of NSCs, which was mediated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL).
• 3
  OECs increased the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in vitro, and improved the survival rate of NSCs in vivo.