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Pazzin DB, Previato TTR, Budelon Gonçalves JI, Zanirati G, Xavier FAC, da Costa JC, Marinowic DR. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Organoids in Advancing Neuropathology Research and Therapies. Cells 2024; 13:745. [PMID: 38727281 PMCID: PMC11083827 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
This review delves into the groundbreaking impact of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and three-dimensional organoid models in propelling forward neuropathology research. With a focus on neurodegenerative diseases, neuromotor disorders, and related conditions, iPSCs provide a platform for personalized disease modeling, holding significant potential for regenerative therapy and drug discovery. The adaptability of iPSCs, along with associated methodologies, enables the generation of various types of neural cell differentiations and their integration into three-dimensional organoid models, effectively replicating complex tissue structures in vitro. Key advancements in organoid and iPSC generation protocols, alongside the careful selection of donor cell types, are emphasized as critical steps in harnessing these technologies to mitigate tumorigenic risks and other hurdles. Encouragingly, iPSCs show promising outcomes in regenerative therapies, as evidenced by their successful application in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Bottega Pazzin
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
- Graduate Program in Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Thales Thor Ramos Previato
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90619-900, Brazil
| | - João Ismael Budelon Gonçalves
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
| | - Gabriele Zanirati
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
| | - Fernando Antonio Costa Xavier
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
| | - Jaderson Costa da Costa
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
| | - Daniel Rodrigo Marinowic
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90610-000, Brazil; (D.B.P.); (T.T.R.P.); (J.I.B.G.); (G.Z.); (F.A.C.X.); (J.C.d.C.)
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Hosseini SM, Borys B, Karimi-Abdolrezaee S. Neural stem cell therapies for spinal cord injury repair: an update on recent preclinical and clinical advances. Brain 2024; 147:766-793. [PMID: 37975820 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of lifelong disabilities. Permanent sensory, motor and autonomic impairments after SCI are substantially attributed to degeneration of spinal cord neurons and axons, and disintegration of neural network. To date, minimal regenerative treatments are available for SCI with an unmet need for new therapies to reconstruct the damaged spinal cord neuron-glia network and restore connectivity with the supraspinal pathways. Multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs) have a unique capacity to generate neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Due to this capacity, NPCs have been an attractive cell source for cellular therapies for SCI. Transplantation of NPCs has been extensively tested in preclinical models of SCI in the past two decades. These studies have identified opportunities and challenges associated with NPC therapies. While NPCs have the potential to promote neuroregeneration through various mechanisms, their low long-term survival and integration within the host injured spinal cord limit the functional benefits of NPC-based therapies for SCI. To address this challenge, combinatorial strategies have been developed to optimize the outcomes of NPC therapies by enriching SCI microenvironment through biomaterials, genetic and pharmacological therapies. In this review, we will provide an in-depth discussion on recent advances in preclinical NPC-based therapies for SCI. We will discuss modes of actions and mechanism by which engrafted NPCs contribute to the repair process and functional recovery. We will also provide an update on current clinical trials and new technologies that have facilitated preparation of medical-grade human NPCs suitable for transplantation in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Ben Borys
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Soheila Karimi-Abdolrezaee
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada
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Patil N, Korenfeld O, Scalf RN, Lavoie N, Huntemer-Silveira A, Han G, Swenson R, Parr AM. Electrical stimulation affects the differentiation of transplanted regionally specific human spinal neural progenitor cells (sNPCs) after chronic spinal cord injury. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:378. [PMID: 38124191 PMCID: PMC10734202 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03597-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are currently no effective clinical therapies to ameliorate the loss of function that occurs after spinal cord injury. Electrical stimulation of the rat spinal cord through the rat tail has previously been described by our laboratory. We propose combinatorial treatment with human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived spinal neural progenitor cells (sNPCs) along with tail nerve electrical stimulation (TANES). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of TANES on the differentiation of sNPCs with the hypothesis that the addition of TANES would affect incorporation of sNPCs into the injured spinal cord, which is our ultimate goal. METHODS Chronically injured athymic nude rats were allocated to one of three treatment groups: injury only, sNPC only, or sNPC + TANES. Rats were sacrificed at 16 weeks post-transplantation, and tissue was processed and analyzed utilizing standard histological and tissue clearing techniques. Functional testing was performed. All quantitative data were presented as mean ± standard error of the mean. Statistics were conducted using GraphPad Prism. RESULTS We found that sNPCs were multi-potent and retained the ability to differentiate into mainly neurons or oligodendrocytes after this transplantation paradigm. The addition of TANES resulted in more transplanted cells differentiating into oligodendrocytes compared with no TANES treatment, and more myelin was found. TANES not only promoted significantly higher numbers of sNPCs migrating away from the site of injection but also influenced long-distance axonal/dendritic projections especially in the rostral direction. Further, we observed localization of synaptophysin on SC121-positive cells, suggesting integration with host or surrounding neurons, and this finding was enhanced when TANES was applied. Also, rats that were transplanted with sNPCs in combination with TANES resulted in an increase in serotonergic fibers in the lumbar region. This suggests that TANES contributes to integration of sNPCs, as well as activity-dependent oligodendrocyte and myelin remodeling of the chronically injured spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS Together, the data suggest that the added electrical stimulation promoted cellular integration and influenced the fate of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sNPCs transplanted into the injured spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandadevi Patil
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2-214 MTRF, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Olivia Korenfeld
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2-214 MTRF, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Rachel N Scalf
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2-214 MTRF, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Nicolas Lavoie
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Anne Huntemer-Silveira
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2-214 MTRF, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Guebum Han
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1100 Mechanical Engineering Building, 111 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Riley Swenson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, 2-214 MTRF, 2001 6th St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Ann M Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, MMC 96, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Huntemer-Silveira A, Malone D, Frie A, Walsh P, Parr AM. Accelerated differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into regionally specific dorsal and ventral spinal neural progenitor cells for application in spinal cord therapeutics. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1251906. [PMID: 37781243 PMCID: PMC10540309 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1251906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury can attenuate both motor and sensory function with minimal potential for full recovery. Research utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) -derived spinal cell types for in vivo remodeling and neuromodulation after spinal cord injury has grown substantially in recent years. However, the majority of protocols for the differentiation of spinal neurons are lengthy, lack the appropriate dorsoventral or rostrocaudal specification, and are not typically replicated in more than one cell line. Furthermore, most researchers currently utilize hiPSC-derived motor neurons for cell transplantation after injury, with very little exploration of spinal sensory neuron transplantation. The lack of studies that utilize sensory populations may be due in part to the relative scarcity of dorsal horn differentiation protocols. Building upon our previously published work that demonstrated the rapid establishment of a primitive ectoderm population from hiPSCs, we describe here the production of a diverse population of both ventral spinal and dorsal horn progenitor cells. Our work creates a novel system allowing dorsal and ventral spinal neurons to be differentiated from the same intermediate ectoderm population, making it possible to construct the dorsal and ventral domains of the spinal cord while decreasing variability. This technology can be used in tandem with biomaterials and pharmacology to improve cell transplantation for spinal cord injury, increasing the potential for neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dane Malone
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Anna Frie
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Patrick Walsh
- Anatomic Incorporated, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Ann M. Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Hejrati N, Wong R, Khazaei M, Fehlings MG. How can clinical safety and efficacy concerns in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury be overcome? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:883-899. [PMID: 37545020 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2245321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to severe neurological dysfunction. Despite scientific and medical advances, clinically effective regenerative therapies including stem cells are lacking for SCI. AREAS COVERED This paper discusses translational challenges related to the safe, effective use of stem cells for SCI, with a focus on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), Schwann cells (SCs), olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We discuss approaches to enhance the efficacy of cell-based strategies by i) addressing patient heterogeneity and enhancing patient selection; ii) selecting cell type, cell source, cell developmental stage, and delivery technique; iii) enhancing graft integration and mitigating immune-mediated graft rejection; and iv) ensuring availability of cells. Additionally, we review strategies to optimize outcomes including combinatorial use of rehabilitation and discuss ways to mitigate potential risks of tumor formation associated with stem cell-based strategies. EXPERT OPINION Basic science research will drive translational advances to develop stem cell-based therapies for SCI. Genetic, serological, and imaging biomarkers may enable individualization of cell-based treatments. Moreover, combinatorial strategies will be required to enhance graft survival, migration and functional integration, to enable precision-based intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Hejrati
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Neurosurgery & Spine Center of Eastern Switzerland, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Raymond Wong
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lai BQ, Wu RJ, Han WT, Bai YR, Liu JL, Yu HY, Yang SB, Wang LJ, Ren JL, Ding Y, Li G, Zeng X, Ma YH, Quan Q, Xing LY, Jiang B, Wang YQ, Zhang L, Chen ZH, Zhang HB, Chen YF, Zheng QJ, Zeng YS. Tail nerve electrical stimulation promoted the efficiency of transplanted spinal cord-like tissue as a neuronal relay to repair the motor function of rats with transected spinal cord injury. Biomaterials 2023; 297:122103. [PMID: 37028111 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Following transected spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a critical need to restore nerve conduction at the injury site and activate the silent neural circuits caudal to the injury to promote the recovery of voluntary movement. In this study, we generated a rat model of SCI, constructed neural stem cell (NSC)-derived spinal cord-like tissue (SCLT), and evaluated its ability to replace injured spinal cord and repair nerve conduction in the spinal cord as a neuronal relay. The lumbosacral spinal cord was further activated with tail nerve electrical stimulation (TNES) as a synergistic electrical stimulation to better receive the neural information transmitted by the SCLT. Next, we investigated the neuromodulatory mechanism underlying the action of TNES and its synergism with SCLT in SCI repair. TNES promoted the regeneration and remyelination of axons and increased the proportion of glutamatergic neurons in SCLT to transmit brain-derived neural information more efficiently to the caudal spinal cord. TNES also increased the innervation of motor neurons to hindlimb muscle and improved the microenvironment of muscle tissue, resulting in effective prevention of hindlimb muscle atrophy and enhanced muscle mitochondrial energy metabolism. Tracing of the neural circuits of the sciatic nerve and tail nerve identified the mechanisms responsible for the synergistic effects of SCLT transplantation and TNES in activating central pattern generator (CPG) neural circuits and promoting voluntary motor function recovery in rats. The combination of SCLT and TNES is expected to provide a new breakthrough for patients with SCI to restore voluntary movement and control their muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Rong-Jie Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Wei-Tao Han
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yu-Rong Bai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hai-Yang Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China
| | - Shang-Bin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Le Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, 510100, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Guangzhou Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, China
| | - Qi Quan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, the 4th Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Ling-Yan Xing
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Wang
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hong-Bo Zhang
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yuan-Feng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China.
| | - Qiu-Jian Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China.
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510800, China.
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Zheng Y, Gallegos CM, Xue H, Li S, Kim DH, Zhou H, Xia X, Liu Y, Cao Q. Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Promotes Forelimb Functional Recovery after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172765. [PMID: 36078173 PMCID: PMC9454923 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) is critical for assessing recovery. Currently, available means to improve locomotor function include surgery, physical therapy rehabilitation and exoskeleton. Stem cell therapy with neural progenitor cells (NPCs) transplantation is a promising reparative strategy. Along this line, patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a remarkable autologous cell source, which offer many advantages including: great potential to generate isografts avoiding immunosuppression; the availability of a variety of somatic cells without ethical controversy related to embryo use; and vast differentiation. In this current work, to realize the therapeutic potential of iPSC-NPCs for the treatment of SCI, we transplanted purified iPSCs-derived NPCs into a cervical contusion SCI rat model. Our results showed that the iPSC-NPCs were able to survive and differentiate into both neurons and astrocytes and, importantly, improve forelimb locomotor function as assessed by the grooming task and horizontal ladder test. Purified iPSC-NPCs represent a promising cell type that could be further tested and developed into a clinically useful cell source for targeted cell therapy for cervical SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyan Zheng
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chrystine M. Gallegos
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Haipeng Xue
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shenglan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dong H. Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongxia Zhou
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Xugang Xia
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (Q.C.); Tel.: +1-(772)-345-4734 (Y.L.); +1-(772)-345-4622 (Q.C.)
| | - Qilin Cao
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (Y.L.); (Q.C.); Tel.: +1-(772)-345-4734 (Y.L.); +1-(772)-345-4622 (Q.C.)
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