1
|
Vawda R, Badner A, Hong J, Mikhail M, Lakhani A, Dragas R, Xhima K, Barretto T, Librach CL, Fehlings MG. Early Intravenous Infusion of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exerts a Tissue Source Age-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Neurovascular Integrity and Neurobehavioral Recovery After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:639-649. [PMID: 30912623 PMCID: PMC6591557 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Localized vascular disruption after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a cascade of secondary events, including inflammation, gliosis, and scarring, that can further impact recovery. In addition to immunomodulatory and neurotrophic properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess pericytic characteristics. These features make MSCs an ideal candidate for acute cell therapy targeting vascular disruption, which could reduce the severity of secondary injury, enhance tissue preservation and repair, and ultimately promote functional recovery. A moderately severe cervical clip compression/contusion injury was induced at C7‐T1 in adult female rats, followed by an intravenous tail vein infusion 1 hour post‐SCI of (a) term‐birth human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVCs); (b) first‐trimester human umbilical cord perivascular cells (FTM HUCPVCs); (c) adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; or (d) vehicle control. Weekly behavioral testing was performed. Rats were sacrificed at 24 hours or 10 weeks post‐SCI and immunohistochemistry and ultrasound imaging were performed. Both term and FTM HUCPVC‐infused rats displayed improved (p < .05) grip strength compared with vehicle controls. However, only FTM HUCPVC‐infusion led to significant weight gain. All cell infusion treatments resulted in reduced glial scarring (p < .05). Cell infusion also led to increased axonal, myelin, and vascular densities (p < .05). Although post‐traumatic cavity volume was reduced with cell infusion, this did not reach significance. Taken together, we demonstrate selective long‐term functional recovery alongside histological improvements with HUCPVC infusion in a clinically relevant model of cervical SCI. Our findings highlight the potential of these cells for acute therapeutic intervention after SCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reaz Vawda
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Badner
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Hong
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mirriam Mikhail
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alam Lakhani
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel Dragas
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristiana Xhima
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery and Spinal Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hazenbiller O, Nasr S, Krawetz RJ, Duncan NA. Effect of mechanical strain on the pluripotency of murine embryonic stem cells seeded in a collagen-I scaffold. J Orthop Res 2018; 36:799-807. [PMID: 28976591 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of embryonic stem cells (ESC) in regenerative medicine is restricted due to the possibility of tumorigenicity after inefficient or incomplete differentiation. Studies from our group, and others, suggest that mechanical stimuli may have a suppressive effect on the pluripotency/tumorigenesis of murine ESC (mESC). Furthermore, we have demonstrated that mESC seeded in a type I collagen scaffold, and transplanted into a murine bone fracture model, demonstrated repair without tumor formation. However, it remains unknown if mechanical factors were involved in blocking tumorigenicity of the mESC. Therefore, the aims of the current study were: (i) to characterize the mechanical environment within the transplanted construct (mESC-Col I) in an in vivo murine fracture model using computational analyses; and (ii) to reproduce this mechanical environment in vitro to elucidate the role of these mechanical factors on mESC pluripotent gene expression. It was predicted that the mESC-Col I construct was subjected to an average octahedral shear strain of ∼3.8% and a compressive strain of ∼3.1% within the fracture in vivo when the murine tibia was subjected to an axial compression load of 4 N (1 Hz). When a similar strain environment was replicated experimentally in vitro, the expression patterns of marker genes for pluripotency (Oct 4, Sox 2, Nanog, Rex 1, and oncogene ERas) were significantly down-regulated. This suggests that the local micro-mechanical environment within the fracture site in vivo may be involved in regulating stem cell fate after transplantation, and that these physical factors should be considered when developing regenerative medicine strategies. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:799-807, 2018.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olesja Hazenbiller
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Saghar Nasr
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Roman J Krawetz
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Neil A Duncan
- Departments of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|