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Zhang WJ, Liu SC, Ming LG, Yu JW, Zuo C, Hu DX, Luo HL, Zhang Q. Potential role of Schwann cells in neuropathic pain. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 956:175955. [PMID: 37541365 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NPP) is a common syndrome associated with most forms of disease, which poses a serious threat to human health. NPP may persist even after the nociceptive stimulation is eliminated, and treatment is extremely challenging in such cases. Schwann cells (SCs) form the myelin sheaths around neuronal axons and play a crucial role in neural information transmission. SCs can secrete trophic factors to nourish and protect axons, and can further secrete pain-related factors to induce pain. SCs may be activated by peripheral nerve injury, triggering the transformation of myelinated and non-myelinated SCs into cell phenotypes that specifically promote repair. These differentiated SCs provide necessary signals and spatial clues for survival, axonal regeneration, and nerve regeneration of damaged neurons. They can further change the microenvironment around the regions of nerve injury, and relieve the pain by repairing the injured nerve. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the biological characteristics of SCs, discuss the relationship between SCs and nerve injury, and explore the potential mechanism of SCs and the occurrence of NPP. Moreover, we summarize the feasible strategies of SCs in the treatment of NPP, and attempt to elucidate the deficiencies and defects of SCs in the treatment of NPP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jun Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Si-Cheng Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Li-Guo Ming
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Jian-Wen Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Cheng Zuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Dong-Xia Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China
| | - Hong-Liang Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China.
| | - Qiao Zhang
- Orthopedics Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi province, 343000, China.
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Lee H, Tae G, Hwang S, Wee S, Ha Y, Lee HL, Shin D. Heparin-Based Hydrogel Micropatches with Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Neuropathic Pain Relief. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051436. [PMID: 37239107 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This study explores the therapeutic efficacy of heparin-based hydrogel micropatches containing human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) in treating neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage. Our results showed that hASCs exhibited neuroregenerative and pain-relieving effects when used with heparin-based hydrogel micropatches in the neuropathic pain animal model. The use of this combination also produced enhanced cell viability and nerve regeneration. We conducted various neurological behavioral tests, dynamic plantar tests, histological examinations, and neuroelectrophysiological examinations to confirm the therapeutic effect. Our findings suggest that this approach could maximize therapeutic efficacy and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- HyeYeong Lee
- Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - GiYoong Tae
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - SaeYeon Hwang
- Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Graduate Program in Bioindustrial Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - SungWon Wee
- Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Ha
- Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Lan Lee
- Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - DongAh Shin
- Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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3
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Li M, Li J, Chen H, Zhu M. VEGF-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain in Parkinson's Disease. Cell Transplant 2023; 32:9636897221149130. [PMID: 36635947 PMCID: PMC9841873 DOI: 10.1177/09636897221149130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pro-angiogenic factor that mediates the differentiation and function of vascular endothelial cells. VEGF has been implicated in modulating various pains. However, the effects of VEGF in Parkinson's disease (PD)-related pain have not been studied. The goal of this study was to understand the effects of VEGF-expressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on PD-related pain and the involved mechanisms. We used two types of MSCs: hAMSC-Vector-GFP and hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP in PD mice. Then, the expression of VEGF and the viability have been compared between two types of MSCs. To demonstrate the therapeutic effect of hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP, we transplanted each cell line in a PD mouse model. Head mechanical withdrawal thresholds were examined. hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP was associated with significantly increased VEGF expression and slightly increased viability, compared with hAMSC-Vector-GFP. The transplanted hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP significantly improved mechanical allodynia and inhibited transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expression in site. And such pain relief effects could be partially blocked by TRPV1 agonist. However, we did not observe tumor generation or neuron degeneration in hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP-transplanted animals. Taken together, our data suggest that hAMSC-VEGF189-GFP is safely therapeutically appropriate for treating PD-related pain. VEGF inhibits TRPV1 expression, which may contribute to its analgesic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingxin Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China,Mingxin Zhu, Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China.
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Asgharzade S, Talaei A, Farkhondeh T, Forouzanfar F. A Review on Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathic Pain. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 15:349-361. [PMID: 32056531 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x15666200214112908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic pain state that is heterogeneous in nature and caused by the consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system. Current medications give a long-lasting pain relief only in a limited percentage of patients also associated with numerous side effects. Stem cell transplantation is one of the attractive therapeutic platforms for the treatment of a variety of diseases, such as neuropathic pain. Here, the authors review the therapeutic effects of stem cell transplantation of different origin and species in different models of neuropathic pain disorders. Stem cell transplantation could alleviate the neuropathic pain; indeed, stem cells are the source of cells, which differentiate into a variety of cell types and lead trophic factors to migrate to the lesion site opposing the effects of damage. In conclusion, this review suggests that stem cell therapy can be a novel approach for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Asgharzade
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Andisheh Talaei
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Farkhondeh
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Stem Cells in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: Research Progress of Mechanism. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:8861251. [PMID: 33456473 PMCID: PMC7785341 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8861251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is pain caused by somatosensory nervous system injury or disease. Its prominent symptoms are spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia, and the sense of pain is extremely strong. Owing to the complex mechanism, conventional painkillers lack effectiveness. Recently, research on the treatment of NP by stem cells is increasing and promising results have been achieved in preclinical research. In this review, we briefly introduce the neuropathic pain, the current treatment strategy, and the development of stem cell therapy, and we collected the experimental and clinical trial articles of many kinds of stem cells in the treatment of neuropathic pain from the past ten years. We analyzed and summarized the general efficacy and mechanism of stem cells in the treatment of neuropathic pain. We found that the multiple-mechanism approach was different from the single mechanism of routine clinical drugs; stem cells play a role in peripheral mechanism, central mechanism, and disinhibition of spinal cord level that lead to neuropathic pain, so they are more effective in analgesia and treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Wang L, Shi Q, Dai J, Gu Y, Feng Y, Chen L. Increased vascularization promotes functional recovery in the transected spinal cord rats by implanted vascular endothelial growth factor-targeting collagen scaffold. J Orthop Res 2018; 36:1024-1034. [PMID: 28786500 DOI: 10.1002/jor.23678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is global health concern. The effective strategies for SCI are relevant to the improvement on nerve regeneration microenvironment. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important cytokine for inducing angiogenesis and accelerating nerve system function recovery from injury. We proposed that VEGF could improve nerve regeneration in SCI. However, an uncontrolled delivery system target to injury site not only decreases the therapeutic efficacy but also increases the risk of tumor information. We implanted collagen scaffold (CS) targeted with a constructed protein, collagen-binding VEGF (CBD-VEGF), to bridge transected spine cord gap in a rat transected SCI model. Functional and histological examinations were conducted to assess the repair capacity of the delivery system CS/CBD-VEGF. The results indicated that the implantation of CS/CBD-VEGF into the model rats improved the survival rate and exerted beneficial effect on functional recovery. The controlled intervention improved the microenvironment, guided axon growth, and promoted neovascularization at the injury site. Therefore, the delivery system with stable binding of VEGF potentially provides a better therapeutic option for SCI. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1024-1034, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjun Wang
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P.R. China
| | - Qin Shi
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Beijing, 100000, P.R. China
| | - Yong Gu
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P.R. China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P.R. China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Orthopedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, P.R. China
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Quantification of edematous changes by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in gastrocnemius muscles after spinal nerve ligation. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193306. [PMID: 29470522 PMCID: PMC5823438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) exhibit diverse symptoms, such as neuropathic pain, allodynia, local edema and skin color changes in the affected lesion. Although nerve injury may cause CRPS, pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the syndrome are unclear, and local edema, a characteristic of CRPS, has not been evaluated quantitatively for technical reasons. Here, using a rat spinal nerve ligation-induced CRPS model, we show that edematous changes in gastrocnemius muscle can be detected quantitatively by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using the line-scan diffusion spectrum on a 1.5 T clinical MR imager, we demonstrate significant elevation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratios in gastrocnemius muscle on the ligated versus the sham-operated rats by one day after surgery, those ratios gradually decreased over time. Meanwhile, T2 ratios in gastrocnemius muscle on the ligated rats increased gradually and significantly, peaking two weeks after surgery, and those ratios remained high and were consistent with edema. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key regulator of blood vessel formation and function, was significantly lower in gastrocnemius muscle on the ligated versus non-ligated side, suggesting that nerve ligation promotes edematous changes and perturbs VEGF expression in target muscle.
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Conditioned Medium of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Therapeutic Approach to Neuropathic Pain: A Preclinical Evaluation. Stem Cells Int 2018. [PMID: 29535781 PMCID: PMC5831939 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8179013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain caused by injury or dysfunction of the nervous system, without effective therapeutic approaches. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), through their paracrine action, have great potential in the treatment of this syndrome. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived conditioned medium (CM) was investigated in a mouse model of neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL). PSL mice were treated by endovenous route with bone marrow-derived MSCs (1 × 106), CM, or vehicle. Gabapentin was the reference drug. Twelve hours after administration, neuropathic mice treated with CM exhibited an antinociceptive effect that was maintained throughout the evaluation period. MSCs also induced nonreversed antinociception, while gabapentin induced short-lasting antinociception. The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were reduced, while IL-10 was enhanced on sciatic nerve and spinal cord by treatment with CM and MSCs. Preliminary analysis of the CM secretome revealed the presence of growth factors and cytokines likely involved in the antinociception. In conclusion, the CM, similar to injection of live cells, produces a powerful and long-lasting antinociceptive effect on neuropathic pain, which is related with modulatory properties on peripheral and central levels of cytokines involved with the maintenance of this syndrome.
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Di Cesare Mannelli L, Tenci B, Micheli L, Vona A, Corti F, Zanardelli M, Lapucci A, Clemente AM, Failli P, Ghelardini C. Adipose-derived stem cells decrease pain in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy: Role of VEGF-A modulation. Neuropharmacology 2017; 131:166-175. [PMID: 29241656 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Oxaliplatin therapy of colorectal cancer induces a dose-dependent neuropathic syndrome in 50% of patients. Pharmacological treatments may offer limited relief; scientific efforts are needed for new therapeutic approaches. Therefore we evaluated in a preclinical setting the pain relieving properties of mesenchymal stem cells and its secretome. Rat adipose stem cells (rASCs) were administered in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. A single intravenous injection of rASCs reduced oxaliplatin-dependent mechanical hypersensitivity to noxious and non-noxious stimuli taking effect 1 h after administration, peaking 6 h thereafter and lasting 5 days. Cell-conditioned medium was ineffective. Repeated rASCs injections every 5 days relieved pain each time with a comparable effect. Labeled rASCs were detected in the bloodstream 1 and 3 h after administration and found in the liver 24 h thereafter. In oxaliplatin-treated rats, the plasma concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (pan VEGF-A) was increased while the isoform VEGF165b was upregulated in the spinal cord. Both alterations were reverted by rASCs. The anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (intraperitoneally) reduced oxaliplatin-dependent pain. Studying the peripheral and central role of VEGF165b in pain, we determined that the intraplantar and intrathecal injection of the growth factor induced a pro-algesic effect. In the oxaliplatin neuropathy model, the intrathecal infusion of bevacizumab, anti-rat VEGF165b antibody and rASCs reduced pain. Adult adipose mesenchymal stem cells could represent a novel approach in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The regulation of VEGF-A is suggested as an effective mechanism in the complex response orchestrated by stem cells against neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Barbara Tenci
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Micheli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Vona
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Corti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Zanardelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Lapucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ann Maria Clemente
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Failli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carla Ghelardini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health - NEUROFARBA - Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Wang C, Lu CF, Peng J, Hu CD, Wang Y. Roles of neural stem cells in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:2106-2112. [PMID: 29323053 PMCID: PMC5784362 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.221171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, researchers are using neural stem cell transplantation to promote regeneration after peripheral nerve injury, as neural stem cells play an important role in peripheral nerve injury repair. This article reviews recent research progress of the role of neural stem cells in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. Neural stem cells can not only differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, but can also differentiate into Schwann-like cells, which promote neurite outgrowth around the injury. Transplanted neural stem cells can differentiate into motor neurons that innervate muscles and promote the recovery of neurological function. To promote the repair of peripheral nerve injury, neural stem cells secrete various neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, fibroblast growth factor, nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor. In addition, neural stem cells also promote regeneration of the axonal myelin sheath, angiogenesis, and immune regulation. It can be concluded that neural stem cells promote the repair of peripheral nerve injury through a variety of ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Wang
- Central Hospital of Handan, Handan, Hebei Province; Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chang-Feng Lu
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, ; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiang Peng
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province; Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics; Key Lab of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng-Dong Hu
- Central Hospital of Handan, Handan, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province; Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics; Key Lab of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
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Hypoxia-specific, VEGF-expressing neural stem cell therapy for safe and effective treatment of neuropathic pain. J Control Release 2016; 226:21-34. [PMID: 26826306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic cytokine that stimulates the differentiation and function of vascular endothelial cells. VEGF has been implicated in improving nervous system function after injury. However, uncontrolled overexpression of VEGF increases the risk of tumor formation at the site of gene delivery. For this reason, VEGF expression needs to be strictly controlled. The goal of the present study was to understand the effects of hypoxia-induced gene expression system to control VEGF gene expression in neural stem cells (NSCs) on the regeneration of neural tissue after sciatic nerve injury. In this study, we used the erythropoietin (Epo) enhancer-SV40 promoter system (EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs) for hypoxia-specific VEGF expression. We used three types of NSCs: DsRed-NSCs as controls, SV-VEGF-NSCs as uncontrolled VEGF overexpressing NSCs, and EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs. For comparison of VEGF expression at normoxia and hypoxia, we measured the amount of VEGF secreted. VEGF expression decreased at normoxia and increased at hypoxia for EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs; thus, EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs controlled VEGF expression, dependent upon oxygenation condition. To demonstrate the therapeutic effect of EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs, we transplanted each cell line in a neuropathic pain sciatic nerve injury rat model. The transplanted EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs improved sciatic nerve functional index (SFI), mechanical allodynia, and re-myelination similar to the SV-VEGF-NSCs. Additionally, the number of blood vessels increased to a level similar to that of the SV-VEGF-NSCs. However, we did not observe tumor generation in the EpoSV-VEGF-NSC animals that were unlikely to have tumor formation in the SV-VEGF-NSCs. From our results, we determined that EpoSV-VEGF-NSCs safely regulate VEGF gene expression which is dependent upon oxygenation status. In addition, we found that they are therapeutically appropriate for treating sciatic nerve injury.
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