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Beyer F, Samper Agrelo I, Küry P. Do Neural Stem Cells Have a Choice? Heterogenic Outcome of Cell Fate Acquisition in Different Injury Models. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20020455. [PMID: 30669690 PMCID: PMC6359747 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is generally considered as repair restricted organ with limited capacities to regenerate lost cells and to successfully integrate them into damaged nerve tracts. Despite the presence of endogenous immature cell types that can be activated upon injury or in disease cell replacement generally remains insufficient, undirected, or lost cell types are not properly generated. This limitation also accounts for the myelin repair capacity that still constitutes the default regenerative activity at least in inflammatory demyelinating conditions. Ever since the discovery of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) residing within specific niches of the adult brain, as well as the description of procedures to either isolate and propagate or artificially induce NSCs from various origins ex vivo, the field has been rejuvenated. Various sources of NSCs have been investigated and applied in current neuropathological paradigms aiming at the replacement of lost cells and the restoration of functionality based on successful integration. Whereas directing and supporting stem cells residing in brain niches constitutes one possible approach many investigations addressed their potential upon transplantation. Given the heterogeneity of these studies related to the nature of grafted cells, the local CNS environment, and applied implantation procedures we here set out to review and compare their applied protocols in order to evaluate rate-limiting parameters. Based on our compilation, we conclude that in healthy CNS tissue region specific cues dominate cell fate decisions. However, although increasing evidence points to the capacity of transplanted NSCs to reflect the regenerative need of an injury environment, a still heterogenic picture emerges when analyzing transplantation outcomes in injury or disease models. These are likely due to methodological differences despite preserved injury environments. Based on this meta-analysis, we suggest future NSC transplantation experiments to be conducted in a more comparable way to previous studies and that subsequent analyses must emphasize regional heterogeneity such as accounting for differences in gray versus white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Beyer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Iria Samper Agrelo
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Patrick Küry
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Liu S, Schackel T, Weidner N, Puttagunta R. Biomaterial-Supported Cell Transplantation Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury: Challenges and Perspectives. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 11:430. [PMID: 29375316 PMCID: PMC5768640 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in para- and tetraplegia caused by the partial or complete disruption of descending motor and ascending sensory neurons, represents a complex neurological condition that remains incurable. Following SCI, numerous obstacles comprising of the loss of neural tissue (neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes), formation of a cavity, inflammation, loss of neuronal circuitry and function must be overcome. Given the multifaceted primary and secondary injury events that occur with SCI treatment options are likely to require combinatorial therapies. While several methods have been explored, only the intersection of two, cell transplantation and biomaterial implantation, will be addressed in detail here. Owing to the constant advance of cell culture technologies, cell-based transplantation has come to the forefront of SCI treatment in order to replace/protect damaged tissue and provide physical as well as trophic support for axonal regrowth. Biomaterial scaffolds provide cells with a protected environment from the surrounding lesion, in addition to bridging extensive damage and providing physical and directional support for axonal regrowth. Moreover, in this combinatorial approach cell transplantation improves scaffold integration and therefore regenerative growth potential. Here, we review the advances in combinatorial therapies of Schwann cells (SCs), astrocytes, olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), mesenchymal stem cells, as well as neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) with various biomaterial scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwen Liu
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Thomas Schackel
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Weidner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Radhika Puttagunta
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Schaal SM, Kitay BM, Cho KS, Lo TP, Barakat DJ, Marcillo AE, Sanchez AR, Andrade CM, Pearse DD. Schwann Cell Transplantation Improves Reticulospinal Axon Growth and Forelimb Strength after Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Contusion. Cell Transplant 2017; 16:207-28. [PMID: 17503734 DOI: 10.3727/000000007783464768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell (SC) implantation alone has been shown to promote the growth of propriospinal and sensory axons, but not long-tract descending axons, after thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). In the current study, we examined if an axotomy close to the cell body of origin (so as to enhance the intrinsic growth response) could permit supraspinal axons to grow onto SC grafts. Adult female Fischer rats received a severe (C5) cervical contusion (1.1 mm displacement, 3 KDyn). At 1 week postinjury, 2 million SCs ex vivo transduced with lentiviral vector encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were implanted within media into the injury epicenter; injury-only animals served as controls. Animals were tested weekly using the BBB score for 7 weeks postimplantation and received at end point tests for upper body strength: self-supported forelimb hanging, forearm grip force, and the incline plane. Following behavioral assessment, animals were anterogradely traced bilaterally from the reticular formation using BDA-Texas Red. Stereological quantification revealed a twofold increase in the numbers of preserved NeuN+ neurons rostral and caudal to the injury/graft site in SC implanted animals, corroborating previous reports of their neuroprotective efficacy. Examination of labeled reticulospinal axon growth revealed that while rarely an axon was present within the lesion site of injury-only controls, numerous reticulospinal axons had penetrated the SC implant/lesion milieu. This has not been observed following implantation of SCs alone into the injured thoracic spinal cord. Significant behavioral improvements over injury-only controls in upper limb strength, including an enhanced grip strength (a 296% increase) and an increased self-supported forelimb hanging, accompanied SC-mediated neuroprotection and reticulospinal axon growth. The current study further supports the neuroprotective efficacy of SC implants after SCI and demonstrates that SCs alone are capable of supporting modest supraspinal axon growth when the site of axon injury is closer to the cell body of the axotomized neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Schaal
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA
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Schwann cells generated from neonatal skin-derived precursors or neonatal peripheral nerve improve functional recovery after acute transplantation into the partially injured cervical spinal cord of the rat. J Neurosci 2015; 35:6714-30. [PMID: 25926450 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1070-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of Schwann cells (SCs) holds considerable promise as a therapy for spinal cord injury, but the optimal source of these cells and the best timing for intervention remains debatable. Previously, we demonstrated that delayed transplantation of SCs generated from neonatal mouse skin-derived precursors (SKP-SCs) promoted repair and functional recovery in rats with thoracic contusions. Here, we conducted two experiments using neonatal rat cells and an incomplete cervical injury model to examine the efficacy of acute SKP-SC transplantation versus media control (Experiment 1) and versus nerve-derived SC or dermal fibroblast (Fibro) transplantation (Experiment 2). Despite limited graft survival, by 10 weeks after injury, rats that received SCs from either source showed improved functional recovery compared with media- or fibroblast-treated animals. Compared with media treatment, SKP-SC-transplanted rats showed enhanced rubrospinal tract (RST) sparing/plasticity in the gray matter (GM) rostral to injury, particularly in the absence of immunosuppression. The functional benefits of SC transplantations over fibroblast treatment correlated with the enhanced preservation of host tissue, reduced RST atrophy, and/or increased RST sparing/plasticity in the GM. In summary, our results indicate that: (1) early transplantation of neonatal SCs generated from skin or nerve promotes repair and functional recovery after incomplete cervical crush injury; (2) either of these cell types is preferable to Fibros for these purposes; and (3) age-matched SCs from these two sources do not differ in terms of their reparative effects or functional efficacy after transplantation into the injured cervical spinal cord.
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Rivera FJ, Steffenhagen C, Kremer D, Kandasamy M, Sandner B, Couillard-Despres S, Weidner N, Küry P, Aigner L. Deciphering the oligodendrogenic program of neural progenitors: cell intrinsic and extrinsic regulators. Stem Cells Dev 2010; 19:595-606. [PMID: 19938982 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2009.0293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the developing and adult CNS, neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPCs) follow an oligodendrogenic process with the aim of myelinating axons. This process is to a high degree regulated by an oligodendrogenic program (OPr) composed of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that modulate the different steps required for NSPCs to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Even though NSPCs and OPCs are present in the diseased CNS and have the capacity to generate oligodendrocytes, sparse remyelination of axons constitutes a major constraint in therapies toward multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI). Lack of pro-oligodendrogenic factors and presence of anti-oligodendrogenic activities are thought to be the main reasons for this limitation. Thus, molecular and cellular strategies aiming at remyelination and at targeting such pro- and anti-oligodendrogenic mechanisms are currently under investigation. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the OPr; it implements our own findings on mesenchymal stem cell-derived pro-oligodendroglial factors and on the role of p57/kip2 in oligodendroglial differentiation. Moreover, it describes molecular and cellular approaches for the development of future therapies toward remyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Rivera
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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Tetzlaff W, Okon EB, Karimi-Abdolrezaee S, Hill CE, Sparling JS, Plemel JR, Plunet WT, Tsai EC, Baptiste D, Smithson LJ, Kawaja MD, Fehlings MG, Kwon BK. A systematic review of cellular transplantation therapies for spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2010; 28:1611-82. [PMID: 20146557 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2009.1177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 400] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell transplantation therapies have become a major focus in pre-clinical research as a promising strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). In this article, we systematically review the available pre-clinical literature on the most commonly used cell types in order to assess the body of evidence that may support their translation to human SCI patients. These cell types include Schwann cells, olfactory ensheathing glial cells, embryonic and adult neural stem/progenitor cells, fate-restricted neural/glial precursor cells, and bone-marrow stromal cells. Studies were included for review only if they described the transplantation of the cell substrate into an in-vivo model of traumatic SCI, induced either bluntly or sharply. Using these inclusion criteria, 162 studies were identified and reviewed in detail, emphasizing their behavioral effects (although not limiting the scope of the discussion to behavioral effects alone). Significant differences between cells of the same "type" exist based on the species and age of donor, as well as culture conditions and mode of delivery. Many of these studies used cell transplantations in combination with other strategies. The systematic review makes it very apparent that cells derived from rodent sources have been the most extensively studied, while only 19 studies reported the transplantation of human cells, nine of which utilized bone-marrow stromal cells. Similarly, the vast majority of studies have been conducted in rodent models of injury, and few studies have investigated cell transplantation in larger mammals or primates. With respect to the timing of intervention, nearly all of the studies reviewed were conducted with transplantations occurring subacutely and acutely, while chronic treatments were rare and often failed to yield functional benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Tetzlaff
- University of British Columbia, ICORD, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Scanga VI, Goraltchouk A, Nussaiba N, Shoichet MS, Morshead CM. Biomaterials for neural-tissue engineering — Chitosan supports the survival, migration, and differentiation of adult-derived neural stem and progenitor cells. CAN J CHEM 2010. [DOI: 10.1139/v09-171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neural precursor cells (NPCs or stem and progenitor cells) are promising in transplantation strategies to treat an injury to the central nervous system, such as a spinal cord injury (SCI), because of their ability to differentiate into neurons and glia. Transplantation studies to date have met with limited success for a number of reasons, including poor cell survival. One way to encourage cell survival in injured tissue is to provide the cells with a scaffold to enhance their survival, their integration, and potentially their differentiation into appropriate cell types. Towards this end, four amine-functionalized hydrogels were screened in vitro for adult murine NPC viability, migration, and differentiation: chitosan, poly(oligoethylene oxide dimethacrylate-co-2-amino ethyl methacrylate), blends of poly(oligoethylene oxide dimethacrylate-co-2-amino ethyl methacrylate), and poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(glycerol dimethacrylate-co-2-amino ethyl methacrylate). The greatest cell viability was found on chitosan at all times examined, Chitosan had the greatest surface amine content and the lowest equilibrium water content, which likely contributed to the greater NPC viability observed over three weeks in culture. Only chitosan supported survival of multipotent stem cells and the differentiation of the progenitors into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Plating intact NPC colonies revealed greater cell migration on chitosan relative to the other hydrogels. Importantly, long term cultures on chitosan showed no significant difference in total cell counts over time, suggesting no net cell growth. Together, these findings reveal chitosan as a promising material for the delivery of adult NPC cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa I. Scanga
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Alex Goraltchouk
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Nasser Nussaiba
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Molly S. Shoichet
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Cindi M. Morshead
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E5, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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