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Li M, Qi B, Li Q, Zheng T, Wang Y, Liu B, Guan Y, Bai Y, Jian F, Xu ZQD, Xu Q, Chen Z. Human induced pluripotent stem cell/embryonic stem cell-derived pyramidal neuronal precursors show safety and efficacy in a rat spinal cord injury model. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:318. [PMID: 39073571 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05350-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Nerve regeneration and circuit reconstruction remain a challenge following spinal cord injury (SCI). Corticospinal pyramidal neurons possess strong axon projection ability. In this study, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were differentiated into pyramidal neuronal precursors (PNPs) by addition of small molecule dorsomorphin into the culture. iPSC-derived PNPs were transplanted acutely into a rat contusion SCI model on the same day of injury. Following engraftment, the SCI rats showed significantly improved motor functions compared with vehicle control group as revealed by behavioral tests. Eight weeks following engraftment, the PNPs matured into corticospinal pyramidal neurons and extended axons into distant host spinal cord tissues, mostly in a caudal direction. Host neurons rostral to the lesion site also grew axons into the graft. Possible synaptic connections as a bridging relay may have been formed between host and graft-derived neurons, as indicated by pre- and post-synaptic marker staining and the regulation of chemogenetic regulatory systems. PNP graft showed an anti-inflammatory effect at the injury site and could bias microglia/macrophages towards a M2 phenotype. In addition, PNP graft was safe and no tumor formation was detected after transplantation into immunodeficient mice and SCI rats. The potential to reconstruct a neuronal relay circuitry across the lesion site and to modulate the microenvironment in SCI makes PNPs a promising cellular candidate for treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Li
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Boling Qi
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Li
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianqi Zheng
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bochao Liu
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yunqian Guan
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfei Bai
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengzeng Jian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Qing David Xu
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qunyuan Xu
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Cell Therapy Center, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.
- Center of Parkinson's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China.
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2
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Du X, Zhang S, Khabbaz A, Cohen KL, Zhang Y, Chakraborty S, Smith GM, Wang H, Yadav AP, Liu N, Deng L. Regeneration of Propriospinal Axons in Rat Transected Spinal Cord Injury through a Growth-Promoting Pathway Constructed by Schwann Cells Overexpressing GDNF. Cells 2024; 13:1160. [PMID: 38995011 PMCID: PMC11240522 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131160] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Unsuccessful axonal regeneration in transected spinal cord injury (SCI) is mainly attributed to shortage of growth factors, inhibitory glial scar, and low intrinsic regenerating capacity of severely injured neurons. Previously, we constructed an axonal growth permissive pathway in a thoracic hemisected injury by transplantation of Schwann cells overexpressing glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (SCs-GDNF) into the lesion gap as well as the caudal cord and proved that this novel permissive bridge promoted the regeneration of descending propriospinal tract (dPST) axons across and beyond the lesion. In the current study, we subjected rats to complete thoracic (T11) spinal cord transections and examined whether these combinatorial treatments can support dPST axons' regeneration beyond the transected injury. The results indicated that GDNF significantly improved graft-host interface by promoting integration between SCs and astrocytes, especially the migration of reactive astrocyte into SCs-GDNF territory. The glial response in the caudal graft area has been significantly attenuated. The astrocytes inside the grafted area were morphologically characterized by elongated and slim process and bipolar orientation accompanied by dramatically reduced expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein. Tremendous dPST axons have been found to regenerate across the lesion and back to the caudal spinal cord which were otherwise difficult to see in control groups. The caudal synaptic connections were formed, and regenerated axons were remyelinated. The hindlimb locomotor function has been improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Du
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210005, China
| | - Shengqi Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China;
| | - Aytak Khabbaz
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kristen Lynn Cohen
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yihong Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Samhita Chakraborty
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - George M. Smith
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA;
| | - Hongxing Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China;
| | - Amol P. Yadav
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Naikui Liu
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Lingxiao Deng
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (X.D.); (S.Z.); (A.K.); (K.L.C.); (Y.Z.); (S.C.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman and Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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3
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Baek I, Song Y. Development of Combinatorial Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury using Stem Cell Delivery. J Vis Exp 2024:10.3791/66872. [PMID: 38912769 PMCID: PMC11292835 DOI: 10.3791/66872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) induces permanent sensorimotor deficit below the site of injury. It affects approximately a quarter million people in the US, and it represents an immeasurable public health concern. Research has been conducted to provide effective therapy; however, SCI is still considered incurable due to the complex nature of the injury site. A variety of strategies, including drug delivery, cell transplantation, and injectable biomaterials, are investigated, but one strategy alone limits their efficacy for regeneration. As such, combinatorial therapies have recently gained attention that can target multifaceted features of the injury. It has been shown that extracellular matrices (ECM) may increase the efficacy of cell transplantation for SCI. To this end, 3D hydrogels consisting of decellularized spinal cords (dSCs) and sciatic nerves (dSNs) were developed at different ratios and characterized. Histological analysis of dSCs and dSNs confirmed the removal of cellular and nuclear components, and native tissue architectures were retained after decellularization. Afterward, composite hydrogels were created at different volumetric ratios and subjected to analyses of turbidity gelation kinetics, mechanical properties, and embedded human adipose-derived stem cell (hASC) viability. No significant differences in mechanical properties were found among the different ratios of hydrogels and decellularized spinal cord matrices. Human ASCs embedded in the gels remained viable throughout the 14-day culture. This study provides a means of generating tissue-engineered combinatorial hydrogels that present nerve-specific ECM and pro-regenerative mesenchymal stem cells. This platform can provide new insights into neuro-regenerative strategies after SCI with future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inha Baek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas
| | - Younghye Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas;
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4
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Squair JW, Milano M, de Coucy A, Gautier M, Skinnider MA, James ND, Cho N, Lasne A, Kathe C, Hutson TH, Ceto S, Baud L, Galan K, Aureli V, Laskaratos A, Barraud Q, Deming TJ, Kohman RE, Schneider BL, He Z, Bloch J, Sofroniew MV, Courtine G, Anderson MA. Recovery of walking after paralysis by regenerating characterized neurons to their natural target region. Science 2023; 381:1338-1345. [PMID: 37733871 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi6412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Axon regeneration can be induced across anatomically complete spinal cord injury (SCI), but robust functional restoration has been elusive. Whether restoring neurological functions requires directed regeneration of axons from specific neuronal subpopulations to their natural target regions remains unclear. To address this question, we applied projection-specific and comparative single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify neuronal subpopulations that restore walking after incomplete SCI. We show that chemoattracting and guiding the transected axons of these neurons to their natural target region led to substantial recovery of walking after complete SCI in mice, whereas regeneration of axons simply across the lesion had no effect. Thus, reestablishing the natural projections of characterized neurons forms an essential part of axon regeneration strategies aimed at restoring lost neurological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan W Squair
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco Milano
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra de Coucy
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthieu Gautier
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael A Skinnider
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas D James
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Newton Cho
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anna Lasne
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Kathe
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas H Hutson
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Steven Ceto
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laetitia Baud
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katia Galan
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Viviana Aureli
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Achilleas Laskaratos
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Barraud
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Timothy J Deming
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Richie E Kohman
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bernard L Schneider
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bertarelli Platform for Gene Therapy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jocelyne Bloch
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Gregoire Courtine
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mark A Anderson
- NeuroX Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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David BT, Curtin JJ, Brown JL, Scorpio K, Kandaswamy V, Coutts DJC, Vivinetto A, Bianchimano P, Karuppagounder SS, Metcalfe M, Cave JW, Hill CE. Temporary induction of hypoxic adaptations by preconditioning fails to enhance Schwann cell transplant survival after spinal cord injury. Glia 2023; 71:648-666. [PMID: 36565279 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxic preconditioning is protective in multiple models of injury and disease, but whether it is beneficial for cells transplanted into sites of spinal cord injury (SCI) is largely unexplored. In this study, we analyzed whether hypoxia-related preconditioning protected Schwann cells (SCs) transplanted into the contused thoracic rat spinal cord. Hypoxic preconditioning was induced in SCs prior to transplantation by exposure to either low oxygen (1% O2 ) or pharmacological agents (deferoxamine or adaptaquin). All preconditioning approaches induced hypoxic adaptations, including increased expression of HIF-1α and its target genes. These adaptations, however, were transient and resolved within 24 h of transplantation. Pharmacological preconditioning attenuated spinal cord oxidative stress and enhanced transplant vascularization, but it did not improve either transplanted cell survival or recovery of sensory or motor function. Together, these experiments show that hypoxia-related preconditioning is ineffective at augmenting either cell survival or the functional outcomes of SC-SCI transplants. They also reveal that the benefits of hypoxia-related adaptations induced by preconditioning for cell transplant therapies are not universal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T David
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Jessica J Curtin
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer L Brown
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Kerri Scorpio
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Veena Kandaswamy
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - David J C Coutts
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Ana Vivinetto
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Paola Bianchimano
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Saravanan S Karuppagounder
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Mariajose Metcalfe
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA
| | - John W Cave
- InVitro Cell Research, LLC, Englewood, New Jersey, USA
| | - Caitlin E Hill
- Burke Neurological Institute, White Plains, New York, USA.,The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA.,Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, New York, USA
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6
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Molecular Mechanisms in the Vascular and Nervous Systems following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 13:life13010009. [PMID: 36675958 PMCID: PMC9866624 DOI: 10.3390/life13010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) induces various complex pathological processes that cause physical impairment and psychological devastation. The two phases of SCI are primary mechanical damage (the immediate result of trauma) and secondary injury (which occurs over a period of minutes to weeks). After the mechanical impact, vascular disruption, inflammation, demyelination, neuronal cell death, and glial scar formation occur during the acute phase. This sequence of events impedes nerve regeneration. In the nervous system, various extracellular secretory factors such as neurotrophic factors, growth factors, and cytokines are involved in these events. In the vascular system, the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is damaged, allowing immune cells to infiltrate the parenchyma. Later, endogenous angiogenesis is promoted during the subacute phase. In this review, we describe the roles of secretory factors in the nervous and vascular systems following traumatic SCI, and discuss the outcomes of their therapeutic application in traumatic SCI.
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7
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Wu Y, Tang Z, Zhang J, Wang Y, Liu S. Restoration of spinal cord injury: From endogenous repairing process to cellular therapy. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1077441. [PMID: 36523818 PMCID: PMC9744968 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1077441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts neurological pathways and impacts sensory, motor, and autonomic nerve function. There is no effective treatment for SCI currently. Numerous endogenous cells, including astrocytes, macrophages/microglia, and oligodendrocyte, are involved in the histological healing process following SCI. By interfering with cells during the SCI repair process, some advancements in the therapy of SCI have been realized. Nevertheless, the endogenous cell types engaged in SCI repair and the current difficulties these cells confront in the therapy of SCI are poorly defined, and the mechanisms underlying them are little understood. In order to better understand SCI and create new therapeutic strategies and enhance the clinical translation of SCI repair, we have comprehensively listed the endogenous cells involved in SCI repair and summarized the six most common mechanisms involved in SCI repair, including limiting the inflammatory response, protecting the spared spinal cord, enhancing myelination, facilitating neovascularization, producing neurotrophic factors, and differentiating into neural/colloidal cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shengwen Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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8
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Beine Z, Wang Z, Tsoulfas P, Blackmore MG. Single Nuclei Analyses Reveal Transcriptional Profiles and Marker Genes for Diverse Supraspinal Populations. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8780-8794. [PMID: 36202615 PMCID: PMC9698772 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1197-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian brain contains numerous neurons distributed across forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain that project axons to the lower spinal cord and work in concert to control movement and achieve homeostasis. Extensive work has mapped the anatomic location of supraspinal cell types and continues to establish specific physiological functions. The patterns of gene expression that typify and distinguish these disparate populations, however, are mostly unknown. Here, using adult mice of mixed sex, we combined retrograde labeling of supraspinal cell nuclei with fluorescence-activated nuclei sorting and single-nuclei RNA sequencing analyses to transcriptionally profile neurons that project axons from the brain to lumbar spinal cord. We identified 14 transcriptionally distinct cell types and used a combination of established and newly identified marker genes to assign an anatomic location to each. To validate the putative marker genes, we visualized selected transcripts and confirmed selective expression within lumbar-projecting neurons in discrete supraspinal regions. Finally, we illustrate the potential utility of these data by examining the expression of transcription factors that distinguish different supraspinal cell types and by surveying the expression of receptors for growth and guidance cues that may be present in the spinal cord. Collectively, these data establish transcriptional differences between anatomically defined supraspinal populations, identify a new set of marker genes of use in future experiments, and provide insight into potential differences in cellular and physiological activity across the supraspinal connectome.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The brain communicates with the body through a wide variety of neuronal populations with distinct functions and differential sensitivity to damage and disease. We have used single-nuclei RNA sequencing technology to distinguish patterns of gene expression within a diverse set of neurons that project axons from the mouse brain to the lumbar spinal cord. The results reveal transcriptional differences between populations previously defined on the basis of anatomy, provide new marker genes to facilitate rapid identification of cell type in future work, and suggest distinct responsiveness of different supraspinal populations to external growth and guidance cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Beine
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
| | - Zimei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
| | - Pantelis Tsoulfas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Murray G Blackmore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
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9
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Reawakening GDNF's regenerative past in mice and humans. Regen Ther 2022; 20:78-85. [PMID: 35509264 PMCID: PMC9043678 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of an animal to regenerate lost tissue and body parts has obviously life-saving implications. Understanding how this ability became restricted or active in specific animal lineages will help us understand our own regeneration. According to phylogenic analysis, the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling pathway, but not other family members, is conserved in axolotls, a salamander with remarkable regenerative capacity. Furthermore, comparing the pro-regenerative Spiny mouse to its less regenerative descendant, the House mouse, revealed that the GDNF signaling pathway, but not other family members, was induced in regenerating Spiny mice. According to GDNF receptor expression analysis, GDNF may promote hair follicle neogenesis – an important feature of skin regeneration – by determining the fate of dermal fibroblasts as part of new hair follicles. These findings support the idea that GDNF treatment will promote skin regeneration in humans by demonstrating the GDNF signaling pathway's ancestral and cellular nature. In pro-regenerative axolotls, the GDNF-GFR□1 signaling system is conserved. In pro-regenerative Spiny mice, the GDNF-GFR□1 signaling system is activated. In mice, GDNF targets upper-regeneration-competent dermal fibroblasts. GDNF-GFR□1 activation may promote skin regeneration in mice and humans.
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10
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Park HH, Kim YM, Anh Hong LT, Kim HS, Hoon KS, Jin X, Hwang DH, Kwon MJ, Song SC, Kim BG. Dual-functional hydrogel system for spinal cord regeneration with sustained release of arylsulfatase B alleviates fibrotic microenvironment and promotes axonal regeneration. Biomaterials 2022; 284:121526. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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11
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GIT1 Promotes Axonal Growth in an Inflammatory Environment by Promoting the Phosphorylation of MAP1B. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:7474177. [PMID: 35340202 PMCID: PMC8942666 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7474177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe traumatic condition. The loss of the bundle of axons involved in motor conduction in the spinal cord after SCI is the main cause of motor function injury. Presently, axon regeneration in the spinal cord has been studied extensively, but it remains unclear how axon growth is regulated in an inflammatory environment at the cellular level. In the present study, GIT1 knockout (KO) mouse neurons were cultured in a microfluidic device to simulate the growth of axons in an inflammatory environment. The molecular regulation of axon growth in an inflammatory environment by GIT1 was then investigated. We found that the axon growth of GIT1 KO mouse neurons was restricted in an inflammatory environment. Further investigations revealed that in both axons and cell bodies in the inflammatory environment, GIT1 phosphorylated ERK, promoted the entry of Nrf2 into the nucleus, and promoted the transcription of MAP1B, thereby increasing the levels of MAP1B and p-MAP1B and promoting axon growth. We also found that MAP1B could be translated locally in axons and transported in cell bodies and axons. In conclusion, we found that GIT1 regulated axon growth in an inflammatory environment. This provided a theoretical basis for axon regeneration in an inflammatory environment after SCI to develop new treatment options for axon regeneration.
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12
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Yousefifard M, Sarveazad A, Babahajian A, Rafiei Alavi SN, Neishaboori AM, Vaccaro AR, Hosseini M, Rahimi-Movaghar V. Growth Factor Gene-Modified Cells in Spinal Cord Injury Recovery; a Systematic Review. World Neurosurg 2022; 162:150-162.e1. [PMID: 35276395 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous pre-clinical studies have been performed in recent years on the effects of growth factor gene-modified cells' administration in spinal cord injury (SCI). However, findings of these studies are contradictory. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on animal studies evaluating the effects of growth factor gene-modified cells' administration on locomotion recovery following SCI. METHODS A search of the Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted, including all animal studies until the end of 2020. Two researchers screened search results, summarized relevant studies and assessed risk of bias, independently. RESULTS Thirty-three studies were included in the final analysis. Transplantation of growth factor gene-modified cells in the injured spinal cord resulted in a significant improvement in animals' locomotion compared with non-treated animals [standardized mean difference (SMD)=1.86; 95% CI: 1.39-2.33; p<0.0001)] and non-genetically modified cells treated animals (SMD=1.30; 0.80-1.79; p<0.0001). Transplantation efficacy of these cells failed to achieve significance in moderate lesions (p=0.091), when using modified neural stem/progenitor cells (p=0.164), when using synthetic neurotrophins (p=0.086) and when the number of transplanted cells was less than 1.0 × 105 cells per animal (p = 0.119). CONCLUSION The result showed that transplantation of growth factor gene-modified cells significantly improved locomotion in SCI animal models. However, there is a major concern regarding the safety of genetically modified cells' transplantation, in terms of overexpressing growth factors. Further studies are needed before any effort to perform a translational and clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Yousefifard
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Sarveazad
- Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Asrin Babahajian
- Liver and digestive research center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | | | - Alex R Vaccaro
- Department of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Mostafa Hosseini
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar
- Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Brain and Spinal Injuries Research Center (BASIR), Neuroscience Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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Fu H, Hu D, Chen J, Wang Q, Zhang Y, Qi C, Yu T. Repair of the Injured Spinal Cord by Schwann Cell Transplantation. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:800513. [PMID: 35250447 PMCID: PMC8891437 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.800513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in sensorimotor impairments or disability. Studies of the cellular response to SCI have increased our understanding of nerve regenerative failure following spinal cord trauma. Biological, engineering and rehabilitation strategies for repairing the injured spinal cord have shown impressive results in SCI models of both rodents and non-human primates. Cell transplantation, in particular, is becoming a highly promising approach due to the cells’ capacity to provide multiple benefits at the molecular, cellular, and circuit levels. While various cell types have been investigated, we focus on the use of Schwann cells (SCs) to promote SCI repair in this review. Transplantation of SCs promotes functional recovery in animal models and is safe for use in humans with subacute SCI. The rationales for the therapeutic use of SCs for SCI include enhancement of axon regeneration, remyelination of newborn or sparing axons, regulation of the inflammatory response, and maintenance of the survival of damaged tissue. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which transplanted SCs exert a reparative effect on SCI. Moreover, SC-based therapeutic strategies face considerable challenges in preclinical studies. These issues must be clarified to make SC transplantation a feasible clinical option. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in SC transplantation for SCI, and highlight proposed mechanisms and challenges of SC-mediated therapy. The sparse information available on SC clinical application in patients with SCI is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Fu
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Die Hu
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao Eye Hospital, Shandong Eye Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jinli Chen
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qizun Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Department of Trauma Emergency Center, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Orthopaedics Research Institution of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chao Qi
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Qi,
| | - Tengbo Yu
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Tengbo Yu,
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14
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Deng L, Ravenscraft B, Xu XM. Exploring propriospinal neuron-mediated neural circuit plasticity using recombinant viruses after spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2021; 349:113962. [PMID: 34953895 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Propriospinal neurons (PSNs) play a crucial role in motor control and sensory processing and contribute to plastic reorganization of spinal circuits responsible for recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). Due to their scattered distribution and various intersegmental projection patterns, it is challenging to dissect the function of PSNs within the neuronal network. New genetically encoded tools, particularly cell-type-specific transgene expression methods using recombinant viral vectors combined with other genetic, pharmacologic, and optogenetic approaches, have enormous potential for visualizing PSNs in the neuronal circuits and monitoring and manipulating their activity. Furthermore, recombinant viral tools have been utilized to promote the intrinsic regenerative capacities of PSNs, towards manipulating the 'hostile' microenvironment for improving functional regeneration of PSNs. Here we summarize the latest development in this fast-moving field and provide a perspective for using this technology to dissect PSN physiological role in contributing to recovery of function after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Baylen Ravenscraft
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
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15
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Zawadzka M, Kwaśniewska A, Miazga K, Sławińska U. Perspectives in the Cell-Based Therapies of Various Aspects of the Spinal Cord Injury-Associated Pathologies: Lessons from the Animal Models. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112995. [PMID: 34831217 PMCID: PMC8616284 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic injury of the spinal cord (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition often leading to severe dysfunctions, therefore an improvement in clinical treatment for SCI patients is urgently needed. The potential benefits of transplantation of various cell types into the injured spinal cord have been intensively investigated in preclinical SCI models and clinical trials. Despite the many challenges that are still ahead, cell transplantation alone or in combination with other factors, such as artificial matrices, seems to be the most promising perspective. Here, we reviewed recent advances in cell-based experimental strategies supporting or restoring the function of the injured spinal cord with a particular focus on the regenerative mechanisms that could define their clinical translation.
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16
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Squair JW, Gautier M, Sofroniew MV, Courtine G, Anderson MA. Engineering spinal cord repair. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 72:48-53. [PMID: 34695766 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neurological damage caused by spinal cord injury in humans has been observed for over three thousand years and impacts the lives of several hundred thousand people worldwide. Despite this prevalence and its associated consequences, there is no treatment to repair the injured spinal cord. Evidence gathered over the last several decades has provided mechanistic information on the complex cascade of events following traumatic spinal cord injury and this is paving the way towards mechanism based repair strategies. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art biological and engineering repair strategies and posit that complete repair will be dependent on cataloguing the molecular signatures and growth requirements of the different neuron subpopulations in the brain and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan W Squair
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroRestore, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthieu Gautier
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroRestore, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Grégoire Courtine
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroRestore, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Mark A Anderson
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; NeuroRestore, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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17
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Khan A, Diaz A, Brooks AE, Burks SS, Athauda G, Wood P, Lee YS, Silvera R, Donaldson M, Pressman Y, Anderson KD, Bunge MB, Pearse DD, Dietrich WD, Guest JD, Levi AD. Scalable culture techniques to generate large numbers of purified human Schwann cells for clinical trials in human spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. J Neurosurg Spine 2021; 36:135-144. [PMID: 34479193 DOI: 10.3171/2020.11.spine201433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Schwann cells (SCs) have been shown to play an essential role in axon regeneration in both peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) and spinal cord injuries (SCIs). The transplantation of SCs as an adjunctive therapy is currently under investigation in human clinical trials due to their regenerative capacity. Therefore, a reliable method for procuring large quantities of SCs from peripheral nerves is necessary. This paper presents a well-developed, validated, and optimized manufacturing protocol for clinical-grade SCs that are compliant with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs). METHODS The authors evaluated the SC culture manufacturing data from 18 clinical trial participants who were recruited for autologous SC transplantation due to subacute SCI (n = 7), chronic SCI (n = 8), or PNIs (n = 3). To initiate autologous SC cultures, a mean nerve length of 11.8 ± 3.7 cm was harvested either from the sural nerve alone (n = 17) or with the sciatic nerve (n = 1). The nerves were digested with enzymes and SCs were isolated and further expanded in multiple passages to meet the dose requirements for transplantation. RESULTS An average yield of 87.2 ± 89.2 million cells at P2 and 150.9 ± 129.9 million cells at P3 with high viability and purity was produced. Cell counts and rates of expansion increased with each subsequent passage from P0 to P3, with the largest rate of expansion between P2 and P3. Larger harvest nerve lengths correlated significantly with greater yields at P0 and P1 (p < 0.05). In addition, a viability and purity above 90% was sustained throughout all passages in nearly all cell products. CONCLUSIONS This study presents reliable CGMP-compliant manufacturing methods for autologous SC products that are suitable for regenerative treatment of patients with SCI, PNI, or other conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Khan
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,3Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Departments of
| | - Anthony Diaz
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery
| | - Adriana E Brooks
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,3Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Departments of
| | - S Shelby Burks
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery
| | - Gagani Athauda
- 7Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida; and
| | - Patrick Wood
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery
| | - Yee-Shuan Lee
- 3Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Departments of
| | - Risset Silvera
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,3Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Departments of
| | - Maxwell Donaldson
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,3Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Departments of
| | | | - Kim D Anderson
- 8Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MetroHealth Medical Center, Institute for Functional Restoration, Case Western Reserve University School, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Mary Bartlett Bunge
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery.,4Cell Biology and
| | - Damien D Pearse
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery.,3Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and Departments of.,6Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami
| | - W Dalton Dietrich
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery.,4Cell Biology and.,5Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami
| | - James D Guest
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery
| | - Allan D Levi
- 1The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.,2Department of Neurological Surgery
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18
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Richard SA, Sackey M. Elucidating the Pivotal Neuroimmunomodulation of Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury Repair. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:9230866. [PMID: 34341666 PMCID: PMC8325586 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9230866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a distressing incident with abrupt onset of the motor as well as sensory dysfunction, and most often, the injury occurs as result of high-energy or velocity accidents as well as contact sports and falls in the elderly. The key challenges associated with nerve repair are the lack of self-repair as well as neurotrophic factors and primary and secondary neuronal apoptosis, as well as factors that prevent the regeneration of axons locally. Neurons that survive the initial traumatic damage may be lost due to pathogenic activities like neuroinflammation and apoptosis. Implanted stem cells are capable of differentiating into neural cells that replace injured cells as well as offer local neurotrophic factors that aid neuroprotection, immunomodulation, axonal sprouting, axonal regeneration, and remyelination. At the microenvironment of SCI, stem cells are capable of producing growth factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor which triggers neuronal survival as well as axonal regrowth. Although stem cells have proven to be of therapeutic value in SCI, the major disadvantage of some of the cell types is the risk for tumorigenicity due to the contamination of undifferentiated cells prior to transplantation. Local administration of stem cells via either direct cellular injection into the spinal cord parenchyma or intrathecal administration into the subarachnoid space is currently the best transplantation modality for stem cells during SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seidu A. Richard
- Department of Medicine, Princefield University, P.O. Box MA128, Ho, Ghana
| | - Marian Sackey
- Department of Pharmacy, Ho Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box MA-374, Ho, Ghana
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19
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Shao R, Li C, Chen Y, Zhang L, Yang H, Zhang Z, Yue J, Gao W, Zhu H, Pan H, Zhou H, Quan R. LncRNA-GAS5 promotes spinal cord repair and the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis via the transplantation of 3D printed scaffold loaded with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:931. [PMID: 34350246 PMCID: PMC8263850 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Stem cell transplantation has been increasingly used for spinal cord repair, and some achievements have been made. However, limited stem cell sources as well as immune rejection and ethical issues have restricted its wide application. Therefore, to achieve further breakthroughs regarding the application of stem cell transplantation to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), it is important to develop a stem cell line that can effectively avoid immune rejection and ethical issues. Methods Urine cells (UCs) were induced to differentiate into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which then further differentiated into neural stem cells (NSCs). Relevant tests were performed, and three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds were prepared. Thirty C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups based on a random number table: a sham group, an SCI group, an SCI + control group, an SCI + siNC group, and an SCI + siGAS5 group (n=6). The latter 4 groups replicated SCI models. Mice in the SCI + control group were transplanted with 3D scaffolds loaded with iPSC-derived NSCs (iPSd-NSCs). Mice in the SCI + siNC group and the SCI + siGAS5 group were transplanted with scaffolds loaded with iPSd-NSCs-siNC and 3D scaffolds loaded with iPSd-NSCs-siGAS5, respectively. Mice in the other groups were injected with the same amount of normal saline. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathology of the injured spinal cord, the Basso-Mouse Scale was used to assess the motor function of the hind limbs of the mice, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins after SCI. Results iPSd-NSCs were successfully induced and differentiated, and 3D printed heparin sulfate-collagen scaffolds were prepared, inside which a 3D loose porous structure was shown by electron microscopy. Morphological observations showed that iPSd-NSC transplantation improved SCI in mice, while GAS5 silencing inhibited the reparative effect of iPSd-NSC transplantation on SCI in mice. Western blot results indicated that iPSd-NSC transplantation significantly increased the expression level of B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) (P<0.01) but decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2 associated X protein, cytochrome C, and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.001). Conclusions The overexpression of lncRNA-GAS5 can promote spinal cord repair and inhibit neural apoptosis via the transplantation of 3D printed scaffolds loaded with iPSd-NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongxue Shao
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Changming Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Jiangnan Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hejie Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhijing Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Yue
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenshuo Gao
- Orthopaedic Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hang Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Pan
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renfu Quan
- Department of Orthopedics, Jiangnan Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Anderson MA. Targeting Central Nervous System Regeneration with Cell Type Specificity. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2021; 32:397-405. [PMID: 34053727 DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
There have been tremendous advances in identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms constraining axon growth and strategies have been developed to overcome regenerative failure. However, reproducible and meaningful functional recovery remains elusive. An emerging reason is that neurons possess subtype-specific activation requirements. Much of this evidence comes from studying retinal ganglion cells following optic nerve injury. This review summarizes key neuropathologic events following spinal cord injury, and draws on findings from the optic nerve to suggest how a similar framework may be used to dissect and manipulate the heterogeneous and subtype-specific responses of neurons useful to target for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Anderson
- Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Féderale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Neural Repair Unit, NeuroRestore, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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21
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Zhai J, Kim H, Han SB, Manire M, Yoo R, Pang S, Smith GM, Son YJ. Co-targeting myelin inhibitors and CSPGs markedly enhances regeneration of GDNF-stimulated, but not conditioning-lesioned, sensory axons into the spinal cord. eLife 2021; 10:63050. [PMID: 33942723 PMCID: PMC8139830 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major barrier to intraspinal regeneration after dorsal root (DR) injury is the DR entry zone (DREZ), the CNS/PNS interface. DR axons stop regenerating at the DREZ, even if regenerative capacity is increased by a nerve conditioning lesion. This potent blockade has long been attributed to myelin-associated inhibitors and (CSPGs), but incomplete lesions and conflicting reports have prevented conclusive agreement. Here, we evaluated DR regeneration in mice using novel strategies to facilitate complete lesions and analyses, selective tracing of proprioceptive and mechanoreceptive axons, and the first simultaneous targeting of Nogo/Reticulon-4, MAG, OMgp, CSPGs, and GDNF. Co-eliminating myelin inhibitors and CSPGs elicited regeneration of only a few conditioning-lesioned DR axons across the DREZ. Their absence, however, markedly and synergistically enhanced regeneration of GDNF-stimulated axons, highlighting the importance of sufficiently elevating intrinsic growth capacity. We also conclude that myelin inhibitors and CSPGs are not the primary mechanism stopping axons at the DREZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbin Zhai
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Hyukmin Kim
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Seung Baek Han
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Meredith Manire
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Rachel Yoo
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Shuhuan Pang
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - George M Smith
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Young-Jin Son
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center and Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States.,Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
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22
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Atiq Hassan, Nasir N, Muzammil K. Treatment Strategies to Promote Regeneration in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Models. NEUROCHEM J+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712421010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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23
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Brommer B, He M, Zhang Z, Yang Z, Page JC, Su J, Zhang Y, Zhu J, Gouy E, Tang J, Williams P, Dai W, Wang Q, Solinsky R, Chen B, He Z. Improving hindlimb locomotor function by Non-invasive AAV-mediated manipulations of propriospinal neurons in mice with complete spinal cord injury. Nat Commun 2021; 12:781. [PMID: 33536416 PMCID: PMC7859413 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20980-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
After complete spinal cord injuries (SCI), spinal segments below the lesion maintain inter-segmental communication via the intraspinal propriospinal network. However, it is unknown whether selective manipulation of these circuits can restore locomotor function in the absence of brain-derived inputs. By taking advantage of the compromised blood-spinal cord barrier following SCI, we optimized a set of procedures in which AAV9 vectors administered via the tail vein efficiently transduce neurons in lesion-adjacent spinal segments after a thoracic crush injury in adult mice. With this method, we used chemogenetic actuators to alter the excitability of propriospinal neurons in the thoracic cord of the adult mice with a complete thoracic crush injury. We showed that activating these thoracic neurons enables consistent and significant hindlimb stepping improvement, whereas direct manipulations of the neurons in the lumbar spinal cord led to muscle spasms without meaningful locomotion. Strikingly, manipulating either excitatory or inhibitory propriospinal neurons in the thoracic levels leads to distinct behavioural outcomes, with preferential effects on standing or stepping, two key elements of the locomotor function. These results demonstrate a strategy of engaging thoracic propriospinal neurons to improve hindlimb function and provide insights into optimizing neuromodulation-based strategies for treating SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Brommer
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Miao He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Zicong Zhang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhiyun Yang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica C Page
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junfeng Su
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junjie Zhu
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emilia Gouy
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jing Tang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Philip Williams
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Wei Dai
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan Solinsky
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, & Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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24
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Khazaei M, Ahuja CS, Nakashima H, Nagoshi N, Li L, Wang J, Chio J, Badner A, Seligman D, Ichise A, Shibata S, Fehlings MG. GDNF rescues the fate of neural progenitor grafts by attenuating Notch signals in the injured spinal cord in rodents. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/525/eaau3538. [PMID: 31915299 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau3538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we show that injury-induced Notch activation in the spinal cord microenvironment biases the fate of transplanted NPCs toward astrocytes in rodents. In a screen for potential clinically relevant factors to modulate Notch signaling, we identified glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GDNF attenuates Notch signaling by mediating delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) expression, which is independent of GDNF's effect on cell survival. When transplanted into a rodent model of cervical SCI, GDNF-expressing human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NPCs (hiPSC-NPCs) demonstrated higher differentiation toward a neuronal fate compared to control cells. In addition, expression of GDNF promoted endogenous tissue sparing and enhanced electrical integration of transplanted cells, which collectively resulted in improved neurobehavioral recovery. CRISPR-induced knockouts of the DLK1 gene in GDNF-expressing hiPSC-NPCs attenuated the effect on functional recovery, demonstrating that this effect is partially mediated through DLK1 expression. These results represent a mechanistically driven optimization of hiPSC-NPC therapy to redirect transplanted cells toward a neuronal fate and enhance their integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Christopher S Ahuja
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Hiroaki Nakashima
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Lijun Li
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Jian Wang
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Jonathon Chio
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Anna Badner
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - David Seligman
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Ayaka Ichise
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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25
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Deng LX, Liu NK, Wen RN, Yang SN, Wen X, Xu XM. Laminin-coated multifilament entubulation, combined with Schwann cells and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, promotes unidirectional axonal regeneration in a rat model of thoracic spinal cord hemisection. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:186-191. [PMID: 32788475 PMCID: PMC7818857 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.289436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomaterial bridging provides physical substrates to guide axonal growth across the lesion. To achieve efficient directional guidance, combinatory strategies using permissive matrix, cells and trophic factors are necessary. In the present study, we evaluated permissive effect of poly (acrylonitrile-co-vinyl chloride) guidance channels filled by different densities of laminin-precoated unidirectional polypropylene filaments combined with Schwann cells, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor for axonal regeneration through a T10 hemisected spinal cord gap in adult rats. We found that channels with filaments significantly reduced the lesion cavity, astrocytic gliosis, and inflammatory responses at the graft-host boundaries. The laminin coated low density filament provided the most favorable directional guidance for axonal regeneration which was enhanced by co-grafting of Schwann cells and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. These results demonstrate that the combinatorial strategy of filament-filled guiding scaffold, adhesive molecular laminin, Schwann cells, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, provides optimal topographical cues in stimulating directional axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury. This study was approved by Indiana University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC #:11011) on October 29, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Xiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ryan Ning Wen
- Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shuang-Ni Yang
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xuejun Wen
- Institute for Engineering and Medicine, Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute; Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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26
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Muheremu A, Shu L, Liang J, Aili A, Jiang K. Sustained delivery of neurotrophic factors to treat spinal cord injury. Transl Neurosci 2021; 12:494-511. [PMID: 34900347 PMCID: PMC8633588 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition that results in tremendous physical and psychological harm and a series of socioeconomic problems. Although neurons in the spinal cord need neurotrophic factors for their survival and development to reestablish their connections with their original targets, endogenous neurotrophic factors are scarce and the sustainable delivery of exogeneous neurotrophic factors is challenging. The widely studied neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, nerve growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor have a relatively short cycle that is not sufficient enough for functionally significant neural regeneration after SCI. In the past decades, scholars have tried a variety of cellular and viral vehicles as well as tissue engineering scaffolds to safely and sustainably deliver those necessary neurotrophic factors to the injury site, and achieved satisfactory neural repair and functional recovery on many occasions. Here, we review the neurotrophic factors that have been used in trials to treat SCI, and vehicles that were commonly used for their sustained delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikeremujiang Muheremu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 39 Wuxing Nan Rd, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Shu
- Department of Orthopedics, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 39, Wuxing Nan Rd, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Abudunaibi Aili
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 39 Wuxing Nan Rd, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kan Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 86830001, People’s Republic of China
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27
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Battilana F, Steurer S, Rizzi G, Delgado AC, Tan KR, Handschin C. Exercise-linked improvement in age-associated loss of balance is associated with increased vestibular input to motor neurons. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13274. [PMID: 33174325 PMCID: PMC7744958 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Age‐associated loss of muscle function is exacerbated by a concomitant reduction in balance, leading to gait abnormalities and falls. Even though balance defects can be mitigated by exercise, the underlying neural mechanisms are unknown. We now have investigated components of the proprioceptive and vestibular systems in specific motor neuron pools in sedentary and trained old mice, respectively. We observed a strong age‐linked deterioration in both circuits, with a mitigating effect of exercise on vestibular synapse numbers on motor neurons, closely associated with an improvement in gait and balance in old mice. Our results thus describe how the proprioceptive and vestibular systems are modulated by age and exercise, and how these changes affect their input to motor neurons. These findings not only make a strong case for exercise‐based interventions in elderly individuals to improve balance, but could also lead to targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at the respective neuronal circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kelly R. Tan
- Biozentrum University of Basel Basel Switzerland
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28
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Protection of Cochlear Ribbon Synapses and Prevention of Hidden Hearing Loss. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8815990. [PMID: 33204247 PMCID: PMC7652619 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8815990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the auditory system, ribbon synapses are vesicle-associated structures located between inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons that are implicated in the modulation of trafficking and fusion of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic terminals. Synapse loss may result in hearing loss and difficulties with understanding speech in a noisy environment. This phenomenon happens without permanent hearing loss; that is, the cochlear synaptopathy is "hidden." Recent studies have reported that synapse loss might be critical in the pathogenesis of hidden hearing loss. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the formation, structure, regeneration, and protection of ribbon synapses will assist in the design of potential therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe and summarize the following aspects of ribbon synapses: (1) functional and structural features, (2) potential mechanisms of damage, (3) therapeutic research on protecting the synapses, and (4) the role of synaptic regeneration in auditory neuropathy and the current options for synapse rehabilitation.
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29
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Assinck P, Sparling JS, Dworski S, Duncan GJ, Wu DL, Liu J, Kwon BK, Biernaskie J, Miller FD, Tetzlaff W. Transplantation of Skin Precursor-Derived Schwann Cells Yields Better Locomotor Outcomes and Reduces Bladder Pathology in Rats with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:140-155. [PMID: 32559459 PMCID: PMC7363874 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell transplantation for spinal cord injury (SCI) has largely been studied in sub-acute settings within 1–2 weeks of injury. In contrast, here we transplanted skin-derived precursors differentiated into Schwann cells (SKP-SCs) into the contused rat spinal cord 8 weeks post-injury (wpi). Twenty-one weeks later (29 wpi), SKP-SCs were found to have survived transplantation, integrated with host tissue, and mitigated the formation of a dense glial scar. Furthermore, transplanted SKP-SCs filled much of the lesion sites and greatly enhanced the presence of endogenous SCs, which myelinated thousands of sprouting/spared host axons in and around the injury site. In addition, SKP-SC transplantation improved locomotor outcomes and decreased pathological thickening of bladder wall. To date, functional improvements have very rarely been observed with cell transplantation beyond the sub-acute stage of injury. Hence, these findings indicate that skin-derived SCs are a promising candidate cell type for the treatment of chronic SCI. SKP-SCs injected 8 weeks after SCI survive long-term and integrate with host tissue SKP-SC transplants boosted the presence of endogenous SCs in the chronic SCI site Treated spinal cords showed enhanced growth and SC myelination of axons Treated rats displayed better locomotor outcomes with reduced bladder pathologies
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Assinck
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joseph S Sparling
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shaalee Dworski
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Greg J Duncan
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Di L Wu
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jie Liu
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brian K Kwon
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Freda D Miller
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wolfram Tetzlaff
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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30
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The role of hepatocyte growth factor in mesenchymal stem cell-induced recovery in spinal cord injured rats. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:178. [PMID: 32410702 PMCID: PMC7227078 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01691-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI) due to the fact that they provide a favorable environment. Treatment using MSCs results in a better neurological functional improvement through the promotion of nerve cell regeneration and the modulation of inflammation. Many studies have highlighted that the beneficial effects of MSCs are more likely associated with their secreted factors. However, the identity of the factor that plays a key role in the MSC-induced neurological functional recovery following SCI as well as its molecular mechanism still remains unclear. Methods A conditioned medium (collected from the MSCs) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were used to test the effects on the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCS) in the presence of BMP4 with or without a c-Met antibody. In SCI rats, Western blot, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to investigate the biological effects of MSC-conditioned medium and HGF on nerve cell regeneration and inflammation with or without the pre-treatment using a c-Met antibody. In addition, the possible molecular mechanism (cross-talk between HGF/c-Met and the BMP/Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathway) was also detected by Western blot both in vivo and in vitro. Results The conditioned medium from bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) was able to promote the NSC differentiation into neurons in vitro and the neurite outgrowth in the scar boundary of SCI rats by inhibiting the BMP/Smad signaling pathway as well as reduces the secondary damage through the modulation of the inflammatory process. The supplementation of HGF showed similar biological effects to those of BMSC-CM, whereas a functional blocking of the c-Met antibody or HGF knockdown in BMSCs significantly reversed the functional improvement mediated by the BMSC-CM. Conclusions The MSC-associated biological effects on the recovery of SCI rats mainly depend on the secretion of HGF.
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31
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Wang P, Wang H, Ma K, Wang S, Yang C, Mu N, Yang F, Feng H, Chen T. Novel cytokine-loaded PCL-PEG scaffold composites for spinal cord injury repair. RSC Adv 2020; 10:6306-6314. [PMID: 35495987 PMCID: PMC9049693 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10385f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe spinal cord injury (SCI) always leads to permanent sensory and motor dysfunction. However, the therapeutic effects of current treatment methods, including high dose methylprednisolone, surgical interventions and rehabilitative care, are far from satisfactory. In recent years, cellular, molecular, tissue engineering and rehabilitative training have shown promising results in animal models. Poly-ε-caprolacton (PCL) - based hydrogel composite system has been considered as a promising strategy to direct the axon growth and mimic the properties of natural extracellular matrix. In this study, we found the addition of the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the hydrogel induces the production of axon growth-supportive substrates. The addition of the glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to the hydrogel further induces axon directional growth. This "five-in-one" composite scaffold, referred to as PCL/PEG/FGF2/EGF/GDNF, improved the locomotor function in rats 8 weeks after spinal cord injury (SCI) after implantation in transected spinal cord. Furthermore, histological assessment indicated that the designed composite scaffold guided the neuronal regeneration and promoted the production of axon growth-supportive substrates, providing a favorable biological microenvironment. Our novel composite scaffold provides a promising therapeutic method for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pangbo Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Hufei Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics & Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
| | - Kang Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Shi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Chuanyan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Ning Mu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Fei Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics & Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
| | - Tunan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) Chongqing 400038 China
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Hwang K, Jung K, Kim IS, Kim M, Han J, Lim J, Shin JE, Jang JH, Park KI. Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor-overexpressing Human Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency in Rat with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. Exp Neurobiol 2019; 28:679-696. [PMID: 31902156 PMCID: PMC6946112 DOI: 10.5607/en.2019.28.6.679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes axonal damage and demyelination, neural cell death, and comprehensive tissue loss, resulting in devastating neurological dysfunction. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPCs) transplantation provides therapeutic benefits for neural repair in SCI, and glial cell linederived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been uncovered to have capability of stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination after SCI. In this study, to evaluate whether GDNF would augment therapeutic effects of NSPCs for SCI, GDNF-encoding or mock adenoviral vector-transduced human NSPCs (GDNF-or Mock-hNSPCs) were transplanted into the injured thoracic spinal cords of rats at 7 days after SCI. Grafted GDNFhNSPCs showed robust engraftment, long-term survival, an extensive distribution, and increased differentiation into neurons and oligodendroglial cells. Compared with Mock-hNSPC- and vehicle-injected groups, transplantation of GDNF-hNSPCs significantly reduced lesion volume and glial scar formation, promoted neurite outgrowth, axonal regeneration and myelination, increased Schwann cell migration that contributed to the myelin repair, and improved locomotor recovery. In addition, tract tracing demonstrated that transplantation of GDNF-hNSPCs reduced significantly axonal dieback of the dorsal corticospinal tract (dCST), and increased the levels of dCST collaterals, propriospinal neurons (PSNs), and contacts between dCST collaterals and PSNs in the cervical enlargement over that of the controls. Finally grafted GDNF-hNSPCs substantially reversed the increased expression of voltage-gated sodium channels and neuropeptide Y, and elevated expression of GABA in the injured spinal cord, which are involved in the attenuation of neuropathic pain after SCI. These findings suggest that implantation of GDNF-hNSPCs enhances therapeutic efficiency of hNSPCs-based cell therapy for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyujin Hwang
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Kwangsoo Jung
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Il-Sun Kim
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Miri Kim
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jungho Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Joohee Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Hyung Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Kook In Park
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
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33
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Zhou P, Guan J, Xu P, Zhao J, Zhang C, Zhang B, Mao Y, Cui W. Cell Therapeutic Strategies for Spinal Cord Injury. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2019; 8:585-605. [PMID: 31637103 PMCID: PMC6798812 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2019.1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological disorder that resulted from destroyed long axis of spinal cord, affecting thousands of people every year. With the occurrence of SCI, the lesions can form cystic cavities and produce glial scar, myelin inhibitor, and inflammation that negatively impact repair of spinal cord. Therefore, SCI remains a difficult problem to overcome with present therapeutics. This review of cell therapeutics in SCI provides a systematic review of combinatory therapeutics of SCI and helps the realization of regeneration of spinal cord in the future. Recent Advances: With major breakthroughs in neurobiology in recent years, present therapeutic strategies for SCI mainly aim at nerve regeneration or neuroprotection. For nerve regeneration, the application approaches are tissue engineering and cell transplantation, while drug therapeutics is applied for neuroprotection. Cell therapeutics is a new approach that treats SCI by cell transplantation. Cell therapeutics possesses advantages of neuroprotection, immune regulation, axonal regeneration, neuron relay formation, and remyelination. Critical Issues: Neurons cannot regenerate at the site of injury. Therefore, it is essential to find a repair strategy for remyelination, axon regeneration, and functional recovery. Cell therapeutics is emerging as the most promising approach for treating SCI. Future Directions: The future application of SCI therapy in clinical practice may require a combination of multiple strategies. A comprehensive treatment of injury of spinal cord is the focus of the present research. With the combination of different cell therapy strategies, future experiments will achieve more dramatic success in spinal cord repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinghui Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Guan
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Panpan Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Changchun Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Yingji Mao
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
- School of Life Science, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Wenguo Cui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
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34
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Ueno R, Takase H, Suenaga J, Kishimoto M, Kurihara Y, Takei K, Kawahara N, Yamamoto T. Axonal regeneration and functional recovery driven by endogenous Nogo receptor antagonist LOTUS in a rat model of unilateral pyramidotomy. Exp Neurol 2019; 323:113068. [PMID: 31629859 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) rarely recovers from injury. Myelin fragments contain axonal growth inhibitors that limit axonal regeneration, thus playing a major role in determining neural recovery. Nogo receptor-1 (NgR1) and its ligands are among the inhibitors that limit axonal regeneration. It has been previously shown that the endogenous protein, lateral olfactory tract usher substance (LOTUS), antagonizes NgR1-mediated signaling and accelerates neuronal plasticity after spinal cord injury and cerebral ischemia in mice. However, it remained unclear whether LOTUS-mediated reorganization of descending motor pathways in the adult brain is physiologically functional and contributes to functional recovery. Here, we generated LOTUS-overexpressing transgenic (LOTUS-Tg) rats to investigate the role of LOTUS in neuronal function after damage. After unilateral pyramidotomy, motor function in LOTUS-Tg rats recovered significantly compared to that in wild-type animals. In a retrograde tracing study, labeled axons spanning from the impaired side of the cervical spinal cord to the unlesioned hemisphere of the red nucleus and sensorimotor cortex were increased in LOTUS-Tg rats. Anterograde tracing from the unlesioned cortex also revealed enhanced ipsilateral connectivity to the impaired side of the cervical spinal cord in LOTUS-Tg rats. Moreover, electrophysiological analysis showed that contralesional cortex stimulation significantly increased ipsilateral forelimb movement in LOTUS-Tg rats, which was consistent with the histological findings. According to these data, LOTUS overexpression accelerates ipsilateral projection from the unlesioned cortex and promotes functional recovery after unilateral pyramidotomy. LOTUS could be a future therapeutic option for CNS injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryu Ueno
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Hajime Takase
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Jun Suenaga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Masao Kishimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Yuji Kurihara
- Molecular Medical Bioscience Laboratory, Department of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Kohtaro Takei
- Molecular Medical Bioscience Laboratory, Department of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama, Japan.
| | - Nobutaka Kawahara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Yamamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
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35
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Mousavi M, Hedayatpour A, Mortezaee K, Mohamadi Y, Abolhassani F, Hassanzadeh G. Schwann cell transplantation exerts neuroprotective roles in rat model of spinal cord injury by combating inflammasome activation and improving motor recovery and remyelination. Metab Brain Dis 2019; 34:1117-1130. [PMID: 31165391 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-019-00433-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Inflammasome activation in the traumatic central nervous system (CNS) injuries is responsible for propagation of an inflammatory circuit and neuronal cell death resulting in sensory/motor deficiencies. NLRP1 and NLRP3 are known as activators of inflammasome complex in the spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, cell therapy using Schwann cells (SCs) was applied for targeting NLRP inflammasome complexes outcomes in the motor recovery. These cells were chosen due to their regenerative roles for CNS injuries. SCs were isolated from sciatic nerves and transplanted to the contusive SCI-induced Wistar rats. NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasome complexes and their related pro-inflammatory cytokines were assayed in both mRNA and protein levels. Neuronal cell survival (Nissl staining), motor recovery and myelination (Luxol fast blue/LFB) were also evaluated. The groups were laminectomy, SCI, vehicle and treatment. The treatment group received Schwann cells, and the vehicle group received solvent for the cells. SCI caused increased expressions for both NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasome complexes along with their related pro-inflammatory cytokines, all of which were abrogated after administration of SCs (except for IL-18 protein showing no change to the cell therapy). Motor deficits in the hind limb, neuronal cell death and demyelination were also found in the SCI group, which were counteracted in the treatment group. From our findings we conclude promising role for cell therapy with SCs for targeting axonal demyelination and degeneration possibly through attenuation of the activity for inflammasome complexes and related inflammatory circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Mousavi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azim Hedayatpour
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Yousef Mohamadi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Farid Abolhassani
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gholamreza Hassanzadeh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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36
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Katoh H, Yokota K, Fehlings MG. Regeneration of Spinal Cord Connectivity Through Stem Cell Transplantation and Biomaterial Scaffolds. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:248. [PMID: 31244609 PMCID: PMC6563678 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Advances in post-trauma management and intensive rehabilitation have significantly improved the prognosis of SCI and converted what was once an “ailment not to be treated” into a survivable injury, but the cold hard fact is that we still do not have a validated method to improve the paralysis of SCI. The irreversible functional impairment of the injured spinal cord is caused by the disruption of neuronal transduction across the injury lesion, which is brought about by demyelination, axonal degeneration, and loss of synapses. Furthermore, refractory substrates generated in the injured spinal cord inhibit spontaneous recovery. The discovery of the regenerative capability of central nervous system neurons in the proper environment and the verification of neural stem cells in the spinal cord once incited hope that a cure for SCI was on the horizon. That hope was gradually replaced with mounting frustration when neuroprotective drugs, cell transplantation, and strategies to enhance remyelination, axonal regeneration, and neuronal plasticity demonstrated significant improvement in animal models of SCI but did not translate into a cure in human patients. However, recent advances in SCI research have greatly increased our understanding of the fundamental processes underlying SCI and fostered increasing optimism that these multiple treatment strategies are finally coming together to bring about a new era in which we will be able to propose encouraging therapies that will lead to appreciable improvements in SCI patients. In this review, we outline the pathophysiology of SCI that makes the spinal cord refractory to regeneration and discuss the research that has been done with cell replacement and biomaterial implantation strategies, both by itself and as a combined treatment. We will focus on the capacity of these strategies to facilitate the regeneration of neural connectivity necessary to achieve meaningful functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Katoh
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yokota
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Spine Program, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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37
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Huang L, Xia B, Shi X, Gao J, Yang Y, Xu F, Qi F, Liang C, Huang J, Luo Z. Time-restricted release of multiple neurotrophic factors promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. FASEB J 2019; 33:8600-8613. [PMID: 30995417 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802065rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of multiple neurotrophic factors (NTFs), especially with time-restricted release kinetics, holds great potential for nerve repair. In this study, we utilized the tetracycline-regulatable Tet-On 3G system to control the expression of c-Jun, which is a common regulator of multiple NTFs in Schwann cells (SCs). In vitro, Tet-On/c-Jun-modified SCs showed a tightly controllable secretion of multiple NTFs, including glial cell line-derived NTF, nerve growth factor, brain-derived NTF, and artemin, by the addition or removal of doxycycline (Dox). When Tet-On/c-Jun-transduced SCs were grafted in vivo, the expression of NTFs could also be regulated by oral administration or removal of Dox. Fluoro-Gold retrograde tracing results indicated that a biphasic NTF expression scheme (Dox+3/-9, NTFs were up-regulated for 3 wk and declined to physiologic levels for another 9 wk) achieved more axonal regeneration than continuous up-regulation of NTFs (Dox+12) or no NTF induction (Dox-12). More importantly, the Dox+3/-9-group animals showed much better functional recovery than the animals in the Dox+12 and Dox-12 groups. Our findings, for the first time, demonstrated drug-controllable expression of multiple NTFs in nerve repair cells both in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide new hope for developing an optimal therapeutic alternative for nerve repair through the time-restricted release of multiple NTFs using Tet-On/c-Jun-modified SCs.-Huang, L., Xia, B., Shi, X., Gao, J., Yang, Y., Xu, F., Qi, F., Liang, C., Huang, J., Luo, Z. Time-restricted release of multiple neurotrophic factors promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaowei Shi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianbo Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yujie Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengyu Qi
- Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinghui Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhuojing Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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38
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Smith DR, Margul DJ, Dumont CM, Carlson MA, Munsell MK, Johnson M, Cummings BJ, Anderson AJ, Shea LD. Combinatorial lentiviral gene delivery of pro-oligodendrogenic factors for improving myelination of regenerating axons after spinal cord injury. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:155-167. [PMID: 30229864 PMCID: PMC6289889 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis below the injury and strategies are being developed that support axonal regrowth, yet recovery lags, in part, because many axons are not remyelinated. Herein, we investigated strategies to increase myelination of regenerating axons by overexpression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and noggin either alone or in combination in a mouse SCI model. Noggin and PDGF-AA have been identified as factors that enhance recruitment and differentiation of endogenous progenitors to promote myelination. Lentivirus encoding for these factors was delivered from a multichannel bridge, which we have previously shown creates a permissive environment and supports robust axonal growth through channels. The combination of noggin+PDGF enhanced total myelination of regenerating axons relative to either factor alone, and importantly, enhanced functional recovery relative to the control condition. The increase in myelination was consistent with an increase in oligodendrocyte-derived myelin, which was also associated with a greater density of cells of an oligodendroglial lineage relative to each factor individually and control conditions. These results suggest enhanced myelination of regenerating axons by noggin+PDGF that act on oligodendrocyte-lineage cells post-SCI, which ultimately led to improved functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique R. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel J. Margul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Courtney M. Dumont
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mitchell A. Carlson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mary K. Munsell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mitchell Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian J. Cummings
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Aileen J. Anderson
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (iMIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lonnie D. Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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40
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Wang Y, Wu W, Wu X, Sun Y, Zhang YP, Deng LX, Walker MJ, Qu W, Chen C, Liu NK, Han Q, Dai H, Shields LB, Shields CB, Sengelaub DR, Jones KJ, Smith GM, Xu XM. Remodeling of lumbar motor circuitry remote to a thoracic spinal cord injury promotes locomotor recovery. eLife 2018; 7:39016. [PMID: 30207538 PMCID: PMC6170189 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrogradely-transported neurotrophin signaling plays an important role in regulating neural circuit specificity. Here we investigated whether targeted delivery of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) to lumbar motoneurons (MNs) caudal to a thoracic (T10) contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) could modulate dendritic patterning and synapse formation of the lumbar MNs. In vitro, Adeno-associated virus serotype two overexpressing NT-3 (AAV-NT-3) induced NT-3 expression and neurite outgrowth in cultured spinal cord neurons. In vivo, targeted delivery of AAV-NT-3 into transiently demyelinated adult mouse sciatic nerves led to the retrograde transportation of NT-3 to the lumbar MNs, significantly attenuating SCI-induced lumbar MN dendritic atrophy. NT-3 enhanced sprouting and synaptic formation of descending serotonergic, dopaminergic, and propriospinal axons on lumbar MNs, parallel to improved behavioral recovery. Thus, retrogradely transported NT-3 stimulated remodeling of lumbar neural circuitry and synaptic connectivity remote to a thoracic SCI, supporting a role for retrograde transport of NT-3 as a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Neural Tissue Engineering Research Institute, Mudanjiang College of Medicine, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Xiangbing Wu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Yan Sun
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi P Zhang
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, United States
| | - Ling-Xiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Melissa Jane Walker
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Wenrui Qu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Chen Chen
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Program in Medical Neuroscience, Paul and Carole Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana, United States
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Qi Han
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Heqiao Dai
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - Lisa Be Shields
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, United States
| | | | - Dale R Sengelaub
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, United States
| | - Kathryn J Jones
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
| | - George M Smith
- Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States
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41
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Anderson MA, O'Shea TM, Burda JE, Ao Y, Barlatey SL, Bernstein AM, Kim JH, James ND, Rogers A, Kato B, Wollenberg AL, Kawaguchi R, Coppola G, Wang C, Deming TJ, He Z, Courtine G, Sofroniew MV. Required growth facilitators propel axon regeneration across complete spinal cord injury. Nature 2018; 561:396-400. [PMID: 30158698 PMCID: PMC6151128 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0467-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 295] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transected axons fail to regrow across anatomically complete spinal cord injuries (SCI) in adults. Diverse molecules can partially facilitate or attenuate axon growth during development or after injury1-3, but efficient reversal of this regrowth failure remains elusive4. Here we show that three factors that are essential for axon growth during development but are attenuated or lacking in adults-(i) neuron intrinsic growth capacity2,5-9, (ii) growth-supportive substrate10,11 and (iii) chemoattraction12,13-are all individually required and, in combination, are sufficient to stimulate robust axon regrowth across anatomically complete SCI lesions in adult rodents. We reactivated the growth capacity of mature descending propriospinal neurons with osteopontin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and ciliary-derived neurotrophic factor before SCI14,15; induced growth-supportive substrates with fibroblast growth factor 2 and epidermal growth factor; and chemoattracted propriospinal axons with glial-derived neurotrophic factor16,17 delivered via spatially and temporally controlled release from biomaterial depots18,19, placed sequentially after SCI. We show in both mice and rats that providing these three mechanisms in combination, but not individually, stimulated robust propriospinal axon regrowth through astrocyte scar borders and across lesion cores of non-neural tissue that was over 100-fold greater than controls. Stimulated, supported and chemoattracted propriospinal axons regrew a full spinal segment beyond lesion centres, passed well into spared neural tissue, formed terminal-like contacts exhibiting synaptic markers and conveyed a significant return of electrophysiological conduction capacity across lesions. Thus, overcoming the failure of axon regrowth across anatomically complete SCI lesions after maturity required the combined sequential reinstatement of several developmentally essential mechanisms that facilitate axon growth. These findings identify a mechanism-based biological repair strategy for complete SCI lesions that could be suitable to use with rehabilitation models designed to augment the functional recovery of remodelling circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Anderson
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Timothy M O'Shea
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joshua E Burda
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yan Ao
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sabry L Barlatey
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexander M Bernstein
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jae H Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas D James
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Rogers
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian Kato
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexander L Wollenberg
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Riki Kawaguchi
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chen Wang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy J Deming
- Departments of Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregoire Courtine
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Michael V Sofroniew
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Effects of Cyclic Tensile Strain on Oxidative Stress and the Function of Schwann Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:5746525. [PMID: 29984238 PMCID: PMC6015713 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5746525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Schwann cells (SCs) are significant due to the way in which they sustain and myelinate axons within the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This study has investigated the effect of cyclic tensile strain (CTS) on the oxidative stress and function of SCs derived from the sciatic nerves of an infant rat population. A group of 20 6-day-old Wistar rats was selected, and SCs were separated from the sciatic nerve. The SCs then underwent a 6-hour period of cyclical straining, and ElectroForce 3200 in combination with the BioDynamic chamber was employed to apply 0% and 5% strains at a 0.25 Hz frequency. The results showed that the control group suffered higher oxidative stress than that in 5% strains group (P<0.05). The results RT-PCR analysis indicated a correlation between 5% CTS and a reduction in Netrin-1 expression (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant upregulation in NGF, GDNF, and Slit-2 gene expression (P<0.05). Finally, the results showed that CTS stimulate SCs by increasing the expression of nerve-oriented factors, and these importantly caused the decrease of oxidative stress, reconstruction of cell skeleton, the promotion of axonal regrowth, and the augmentation of nerves.
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43
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Hejčl A, Růžička J, Proks V, Macková H, Kubinová Š, Tukmachev D, Cihlář J, Horák D, Jendelová P. Dynamics of tissue ingrowth in SIKVAV-modified highly superporous PHEMA scaffolds with oriented pores after bridging a spinal cord transection. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE. MATERIALS IN MEDICINE 2018; 29:89. [PMID: 29938301 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-018-6100-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
While many types of biomaterials have been evaluated in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) research, little is known about the time-related dynamics of the tissue infiltration of these scaffolds. We analyzed the ingrowth of connective tissue, axons and blood vessels inside the superporous poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel with oriented pores. The hydrogels, either plain or seeded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), were implanted in spinal cord transection at the level of Th8. The animals were sacrificed at days 2, 7, 14, 28, 49 and 6 months after SCI and histologically evaluated. We found that within the first week, the hydrogels were already infiltrated with connective tissue and blood vessels, which remained stable for the next 6 weeks. Axons slowly and gradually infiltrated the hydrogel within the first month, after which the numbers became stable. Six months after SCI we observed rare axons crossing the hydrogel bridge and infiltrating the caudal stump. There was no difference in the tissue infiltration between the plain hydrogels and those seeded with MSCs. We conclude that while connective tissue and blood vessels quickly infiltrate the scaffold within the first week, axons show a rather gradual infiltration over the first month, and this is not facilitated by the presence of MSCs inside the hydrogel pores. Further research which is focused on the permissive micro-environment of the hydrogel scaffold is needed, to promote continuous and long-lasting tissue regeneration across the spinal cord lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Hejčl
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Department of Neurosurgery, J. E. Purkinje University, Masaryk Hospital, Sociální péče 12A, 401 13, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Růžička
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Neuroscience, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Proks
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovského nám.2, 162 06, Praha 6, Břevnov, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Macková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovského nám.2, 162 06, Praha 6, Břevnov, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Kubinová
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dmitry Tukmachev
- Department of Neurosurgery, Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, Prague 5, 150 06, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Cihlář
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, J. E. Purkyně University, České mládeže 8, 400 96, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Horák
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovského nám.2, 162 06, Praha 6, Břevnov, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Jendelová
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Neuroscience, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
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History of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) and Its Use for Spinal Cord Injury Repair. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8060109. [PMID: 29899247 PMCID: PMC6025482 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8060109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Following an initial mechanical insult, traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) induces a secondary wave of injury, resulting in a toxic lesion environment inhibitory to axonal regeneration. This review focuses on the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its application, in combination with other factors and cell transplantations, for repairing the injured spinal cord. As studies of recent decades strongly suggest that combinational treatment approaches hold the greatest therapeutic potential for the central nervous system (CNS) trauma, future directions of combinational therapies will also be discussed.
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45
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Zhang LQ, Zhang WM, Deng L, Xu ZX, Lan WB, Lin JH. Transplantation of a Peripheral Nerve with Neural Stem Cells Plus Lithium Chloride Injection Promote the Recovery of Rat Spinal Cord Injury. Cell Transplant 2018; 27:471-484. [PMID: 29756516 PMCID: PMC6038036 DOI: 10.1177/0963689717752945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) holds great potential for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, transplanted NSCs poorly survive in the SCI environment. We injected NSCs into tibial nerve and transplanted tibial nerve into a hemisected spinal cord and investigated the effects of lithium chloride (LiCl) on the survival of spinal neurons, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery. Our results show that most of the transplanted NSCs expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein, while there was no obvious expression of nestin, neuronal nuclei, or acetyltransferase found in NSCs. LiCl treatment produced less macrosialin (ED1) expression and axonal degeneration in tibial nerve after NSC injection. Our results also show that a regimen of LiCl treatment promoted NSC differentiation into NF200-positive neurons with neurite extension into the host spinal cord. The combination of tibial nerve transplantation with NSCs and LiCl injection resulted in more host motoneurons surviving in the spinal cord, more regenerated axons in tibial nerve, less glial scar area, and decreased ED1 expression. We conclude that lithium may have therapeutic potential in cell replacement strategies for central nervous system injury due to its ability to promote survival and neuronal generation of grafted NSCs and reduced host immune reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qun Zhang
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wen-Ming Zhang
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lingxiao Deng
- 2 Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,3 Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zi-Xing Xu
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wen-Bin Lan
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jian-Hua Lin
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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46
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Abstract
The inability to recover functions lost after severe spinal cord injury has been recognized for millennia and was first attributed to a failure of spinal cord neural regeneration over 100 years ago. The last forty years have seen intense research into achieving such regeneration, but in spite of conceptual advances and many reports announcing successful interventions, progress has been slow and often controversial. Here, I examine consequential advances and setbacks, and critically consider assumptions underlying certain approaches. I argue that expanding mechanistic knowledge about multiple forms of neural regeneration, why they fail and how they can restore function will resolve conceptual contentions and push the field forward.
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47
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Rosich K, Hanna BF, Ibrahim RK, Hellenbrand DJ, Hanna A. The Effects of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:3311-3325. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Rosich
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Bishoy F. Hanna
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, West Indies
| | - Rami K. Ibrahim
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel J. Hellenbrand
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Amgad Hanna
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
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48
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Lee YS, Wu S, Arinzeh TL, Bunge MB. Transplantation of Schwann Cells Inside PVDF-TrFE Conduits to Bridge Transected Rat Spinal Cord Stumps to Promote Axon Regeneration Across the Gap. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 29155759 DOI: 10.3791/56077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Among various models for spinal cord injury in rats, the contusion model is the most often used because it is the most common type of human spinal cord injury. The complete transection model, although not as clinically relevant as the contusion model, is the most rigorous method to evaluate axon regeneration. In the contusion model, it is difficult to distinguish regenerated from sprouted or spared axons due to the presence of remaining tissue post injury. In the complete transection model, a bridging method is necessary to fill the gap and create continuity from the rostral to the caudal stumps in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. A reliable bridging surgery is essential to test outcome measures by reducing the variability due to the surgical method. The protocols described here are used to prepare Schwann cells (SCs) and conduits prior to transplantation, complete transection of the spinal cord at thoracic level 8 (T8), insert the conduit, and transplant SCs into the conduit. This approach also uses in situ gelling of an injectable basement membrane matrix with SC transplantation that allows improved axon growth across the rostral and caudal interfaces with the host tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee-Shuan Lee
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | - Siliang Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology
| | | | - Mary Bartlett Bunge
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine;
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49
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Zhou Y, Wang Z, Li J, Li X, Xiao J. Fibroblast growth factors in the management of spinal cord injury. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 22:25-37. [PMID: 29063730 PMCID: PMC5742738 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) possesses a significant health and economic burden worldwide. Traumatic SCI is a devastating condition that evolves through two successive stages. Throughout each of these stages, disturbances in ionic homeostasis, local oedema, ischaemia, focal haemorrhage, free radicals stress and inflammatory response were observed. Although there are no fully restorative cures available for SCI patients, various molecular, cellular and rehabilitative therapies, such as limiting local inflammation, preventing secondary cell death and enhancing the plasticity of local circuits in the spinal cord, were described. Current preclinical studies have showed that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) alone or combination therapies utilizing cell transplantation and biomaterial scaffolds are proven effective for treating SCI in animal models. More importantly, some studies further demonstrated a paucity of clinical transfer usage to promote functional recovery of numerous patients with SCI. In this review, we focus on the therapeutic capacity and pitfalls of the FGF family and its clinical application for treating SCI, including the signalling component of the FGF pathway and the role in the central nervous system, the pathophysiology of SCI and the targets for FGF treatment. We also discuss the challenges and potential for the clinical translation of FGF-based approaches into treatments for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhouguang Wang
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Molecular Pharmacology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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50
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Postinjury Induction of Activated ErbB2 Selectively Hyperactivates Denervated Schwann Cells and Promotes Robust Dorsal Root Axon Regeneration. J Neurosci 2017; 37:10955-10970. [PMID: 28982707 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0903-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Following nerve injury, denervated Schwann cells (SCs) convert to repair SCs, which enable regeneration of peripheral axons. However, the repair capacity of SCs and the regenerative capacity of peripheral axons are limited. In the present studies we examined a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance the repair capacity of SCs, and tested its efficacy in enhancing regeneration of dorsal root (DR) axons, whose regenerative capacity is particularly weak. We used male and female mice of a doxycycline-inducible transgenic line to induce expression of constitutively active ErbB2 (caErbB2) selectively in SCs after DR crush or transection. Two weeks after injury, injured DRs of induced animals contained far more SCs and SC processes. These SCs had not redifferentiated and continued to proliferate. Injured DRs of induced animals also contained far more axons that regrew along SC processes past the transection or crush site. Remarkably, SCs and axons in uninjured DRs remained quiescent, indicating that caErbB2 enhanced regeneration of injured DRs, without aberrantly activating SCs and axons in intact nerves. We also found that intraspinally expressed glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), but not the removal of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, greatly enhanced the intraspinal migration of caErbB2-expressing SCs, enabling robust penetration of DR axons into the spinal cord. These findings indicate that SC-selective, post-injury activation of ErbB2 provides a novel strategy to powerfully enhance the repair capacity of SCs and axon regeneration, without substantial off-target damage. They also highlight that promoting directed migration of caErbB2-expressing SCs by GDNF might be useful to enable axon regrowth in a non-permissive environment.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Repair of injured peripheral nerves remains a critical clinical problem. We currently lack a therapy that potently enhances axon regeneration in patients with traumatic nerve injury. It is extremely challenging to substantially increase the regenerative capacity of damaged nerves without deleterious off-target effects. It was therefore of great interest to discover that caErbB2 markedly enhances regeneration of damaged dorsal roots, while evoking little change in intact roots. To our knowledge, these findings are the first demonstration that repair capacity of denervated SCs can be efficaciously enhanced without altering innervated SCs. Our study also demonstrates that oncogenic ErbB2 signaling can be activated in SCs but not impede transdifferentiation of denervated SCs to regeneration-promoting repair SCs.
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