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Ganesan S, Dharmarajan A, Sudhir G, Perumalsamy LR. Unravelling the Road to Recovery: Mechanisms of Wnt Signalling in Spinal Cord Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:7661-7679. [PMID: 38421469 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04055-1] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex neurodegenerative pathology that consistently harbours a poor prognostic outcome. At present, there are few therapeutic strategies that can halt neuronal cell death and facilitate functional motor recovery. However, recent studies have highlighted the Wnt pathway as a key promoter of axon regeneration following central nervous system (CNS) injuries. Emerging evidence also suggests that the temporal dysregulation of Wnt may drive cell death post-SCI. A major challenge in SCI treatment resides in developing therapeutics that can effectively target inflammation and facilitate glial scar repair. Before Wnt signalling is exploited for SCI therapy, further research is needed to clarify the implications of Wnt on neuroinflammation during chronic stages of injury. In this review, an attempt is made to dissect the impact of canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways in relation to individual aspects of glial and fibrotic scar formation. Furthermore, it is also highlighted how modulating Wnt activity at chronic time points may aid in limiting lesion expansion and promoting axonal repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchita Ganesan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Arun Dharmarajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Clinical Research, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - G Sudhir
- Department of Orthopedics and Spine Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
| | - Lakshmi R Perumalsamy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
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Angelin LG, Carreño MNP, Otoch JP, de Resende JCF, Arévalo A, Motta-Teixeira LC, Seelaender MCL, Lepski G. Regeneration and Plasticity Induced by Epidural Stimulation in a Rodent Model of Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9043. [PMID: 39201729 PMCID: PMC11354918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25169043] [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: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury is a major cause of disability for which there are currently no fully effective treatments. Recent studies using epidural electrical stimulation have shown significant advances in motor rehabilitation, even when applied during chronic phases of the disease. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of epidural electric stimulation in the motor recovery of rats with spinal cord injury. Furthermore, we aimed to elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor recovery. First, we improved upon the impact spinal cord injury model to cause severe and permanent motor deficits lasting up to 2 months. Next, we developed and tested an implantable epidural spinal cord stimulator device for rats containing an electrode and an implantable generator. Finally, we evaluated the efficacy of epidural electrical stimulation on motor recovery after spinal cord injury in Wistar rats. A total of 60 animals were divided into the following groups: (i) severe injury with epidural electrical stimulation (injury + stim, n = 15), (ii) severe injury without stimulation (group injury, n = 15), (iii) sham implantation without battery (sham, n = 15), and (iv) a control group, without surgical intervention (control, n = 15). All animals underwent weekly evaluations using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale index, inclined plane, and OpenField test starting one week before the lesion and continuing for eight weeks. After this period, the animals were sacrificed and their spinal cords were explanted and prepared for histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin) and immunohistochemistry for NeuN, β-III-tubulin, synaptophysin, and Caspase 3. Finally, NeuN-positive neuronal nuclei were quantified through stereology; fluorescence signal intensities for β-tubulin, synaptophyin, and Caspase 3 were quantified using an epifluorescence microscope. The injury + stim group showed significant improvement on the BBB scale compared with the injured group after the 5th week (p < 0.05). Stereological analysis showed a significantly higher average count of neural cells in the injury + stim group in relation to the injury group (1783 ± 2 vs. 897 ± 3, p < 0.001). Additionally, fluorescence signal intensity for synaptophysin was significantly higher in the injury + stim group in relation to the injury group (1294 ± 46 vs. 1198 ± 23, p < 0.01); no statistically significant difference was found in β-III-tubulin signal intensity. Finally, Caspase 3 signal intensity was significantly lower in the stim group (727 ± 123) compared with the injury group (1225 ± 87 p < 0.05), approaching levels observed in the sham and control groups. Our data suggest a regenerative and protective effect of epidural electrical stimulation in rats subjected to impact-induced traumatic spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Gomes Angelin
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, LIM26, Department of Experimental Surgery, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Nelson Páez Carreño
- Microelectronics and Materials Laboratory, Polytechnic School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-010, Brazil
| | - Jose Pinhata Otoch
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, LIM26, Department of Experimental Surgery, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Joyce Cristina Ferreira de Resende
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, LIM26, Department of Experimental Surgery, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Analía Arévalo
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, LIM26, Department of Experimental Surgery, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Lívia Clemente Motta-Teixeira
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Behaviour, Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, Sao Paulo 01221-020, Brazil;
| | - Marilia Cerqueira Leite Seelaender
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, LIM26, Department of Experimental Surgery, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Lepski
- Laboratory of Medical Investigation, LIM26, Department of Experimental Surgery, Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-903, Brazil
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Xing C, Liu S, Wang L, Ma H, Zhou M, Zhong H, Zhu S, Wu Q, Ning G. Metformin enhances endogenous neural stem cells proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and inhibits ferroptosis through activating AMPK pathway after spinal cord injury. J Transl Med 2024; 22:723. [PMID: 39103875 PMCID: PMC11302024 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05436-9] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate nerve regeneration and an inhibitory local microenvironment are major obstacles to the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). The activation and differentiation fate regulation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) represent one of the most promising repair approaches. Metformin has been extensively studied for its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and autophagy-regulating properties in central nervous system diseases. However, the effects of metformin on endogenous NSCs remains to be elucidated. METHODS The proliferation and differentiation abilities of NSCs were evaluated using CCK-8 assay, EdU/Ki67 staining and immunofluorescence staining. Changes in the expression of key proteins related to ferroptosis in NSCs were detected using Western Blot and immunofluorescence staining. The levels of reactive oxygen species, glutathione and tissue iron were measured using corresponding assay kits. Changes in mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential were observed using transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 fluorescence probe. Locomotor function recovery after SCI in rats was assessed through BBB score, LSS score, CatWalk gait analysis, and electrophysiological testing. The expression of the AMPK pathway was examined using Western Blot. RESULTS Metformin promoted the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a ferroptosis model of NSCs using erastin treatment was established in vitro, and metformin treatment could reverse the changes in the expression of key ferroptosis-related proteins, increase glutathione synthesis, reduce reactive oxygen species production and improve mitochondrial membrane potential and morphology. Moreover, metformin administration improved locomotor function recovery and histological outcomes following SCI in rats. Notably, all the above beneficial effects of metformin were completely abolished upon addition of compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). CONCLUSION Metformin, driven by canonical AMPK-dependent regulation, promotes proliferation and neuronal differentiation of endogenous NSCs while inhibiting ferroptosis, thereby facilitating recovery of locomotor function following SCI. Our study further elucidates the protective mechanism of metformin in SCI, providing new mechanistic insights for its candidacy as a therapeutic agent for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Xing
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Liyue Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongpeng Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Mi Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Zhong
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Shibo Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China
| | - Guangzhi Ning
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
- International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Spinal Cord lnjury, Tianjin, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Tianjin, China.
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Shang WY, Ren YF, Li B, Huang XM, Zhang ZL, Huang J. Efficacy of growth factor gene-modified stem cells for motor function after spinal cord injury in rodents: a systematic review and meta‑analysis. Neurosurg Rev 2024; 47:87. [PMID: 38369598 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02314-2] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The efficacy of growth factor gene-modified stem cells in treating spinal cord injury (SCI) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of growth factor gene-modified stem cells in restoring motor function after SCI. Two reviewers searched four databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, to identify relevant records. Studies on rodents assessing the efficacy of transplanting growth factor gene-modified stem cells in restoring motor function after SCI were included. The results were reported using the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Analyses showed that growth factor gene-modified stem cell transplantation improved motor function recovery in rodents with SCI compared to the untreated (SMD = 3.98, 95% CI 3.26-4.70, I2 = 86.8%, P < 0.0001) and stem cell (SMD = 2.53, 95% CI 1.93-3.13, I2 = 86.9%, P < 0.0001) groups. Using growth factor gene-modified neural stem/histone cells enhanced treatment efficacy. In addition, the effectiveness increased when viral vectors were employed for gene modification and high transplantation doses were administered during the subacute phase. Stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord exhibited an advantage in motor function recovery. However, the transplantation of growth factor gene-modified stem cells did not significantly improve motor function in male rodents (P = 0.136). Transplantation of growth factor gene-modified stem cells improved motor function in rodents after SCI, but claims of enhanced efficacy should be approached with caution. The safety of gene modification remains a significant concern, requiring additional efforts to enhance its clinical translatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ya Shang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ya-Feng Ren
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Bing Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of CM, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Zhi-Lan Zhang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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Zhou Q, Tian L, Jia X, Ling KH, Mohd Nor NH, Harun MH, Feng D, Wan Sulaiman WA. Extract from the paralyzed spinal cord of rats enhances neural stem cell proliferation in the neonatal rat brain by upregulating the Notch1/Hes1 pathway. Minerva Pediatr (Torino) 2023; 75:780-783. [PMID: 37284814 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5276.23.07322-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Long Tian
- Department of Orthopedics, Chengdu Shuangli Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xufeng Jia
- Department of Orthopedics, Peoples' Hospital of Jianyang City, Jianyang, China
| | - King-Hwa Ling
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Nurul H Mohd Nor
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Mohd H Harun
- Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Daxiong Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wan A Wan Sulaiman
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia -
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Dong J, Wei Z, Zhu Z. LncRNA TSIX aggravates spinal cord injury by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR-532-3p/DDOST axis. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23384. [PMID: 37155292 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23384] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-X-inactive-specific transcript (TSIX) expression is upregulated in spinal cord tissues following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the role of lncRNA-TSIX in SCI remains elusive. SCI animal model was established using C57BL/6 mice. LncRNA TSIX and miR-532-3p expression were determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Apoptosis, cell proliferation, and migration were evaluated by transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, CCK-8, and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction of miR-532-3p with lncRNA TSIX and DDOST was explored via a dual-luciferase reporter system. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating (BBB) scale were performed to investigate SCI progression. The expression of the lncRNA TSIX was found to be significantly upregulated in the serum of SCI patients and spinal cord tissues of SCI mice. The overexpression of lncRNA TSIX enhanced spinal cord neural stem cell (SC-NSC) proliferation and migration in vitro while inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in vivo. Moreover, lncRNA TSIX acted as a molecular sponge for miR-532-3p, and the knockdown of miR-532-3p promoted proliferation and migration and inhibited apoptosis of SC-NSCs. Moreover, DDOST was found to be the downstream target of miR-532-3p, and DDOST overexpression showed a similar effect as miR-532-3p silencing on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of SC-NSCs. Furthermore, we found that lncRNA TSIX overexpression promoted the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. LncRNA TSIX aggravates SCI by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR-532-3p/DDOST axis, indicating potential applications for targeted therapy of SCI regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachun Dong
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zijian Wei
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zezhang Zhu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Li J, Luo W, Xiao C, Zhao J, Xiang C, Liu W, Gu R. Recent advances in endogenous neural stem/progenitor cell manipulation for spinal cord injury repair. Theranostics 2023; 13:3966-3987. [PMID: 37554275 PMCID: PMC10405838 DOI: 10.7150/thno.84133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe neurological impairments. Clinically available treatments are quite limited, with unsatisfactory remediation effects. Residing endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (eNSPCs) tend to differentiate towards astrocytes, leaving only a small fraction towards oligodendrocytes and even fewer towards neurons; this has been suggested as one of the reasons for the failure of autonomous neuronal regeneration. Thus, finding ways to recruit and facilitate the differentiation of eNSPCs towards neurons has been considered a promising strategy for the noninvasive and immune-compatible treatment of SCI. The present manuscript first introduces the responses of eNSPCs after exogenous interventions to boost endogenous neurogenesis in various SCI models. Then, we focus on state-of-art manipulation approaches that enhance the intrinsic neurogenesis capacity and reconstruct the hostile microenvironment, mainly consisting of pharmacological treatments, stem cell-derived exosome administration, gene therapy, functional scaffold implantation, inflammation regulation, and inhibitory element delineation. Facing the extremely complex situation of SCI, combined treatments are also highlighted to provide more clues for future relevant investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincheng Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqi Luo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunsheng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhui Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyu Xiang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanguo Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Gu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
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Hao F, Jia F, Hao P, Duan H, Wang Z, Fan Y, Zhao W, Gao Y, Fan OR, Xu F, Yang Z, Sun YE, Li X. Proper wiring of newborn neurons to control bladder function after complete spinal cord injury. Biomaterials 2023; 292:121919. [PMID: 36455486 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Activation of endogenous neurogenesis by bioactive materials enables restoration of sensory/motor function after complete spinal cord injury (SCI) via formation of new relay neural circuits. The underlying wiring logic of newborn neurons in adult central nervous system (CNS) is unknown. Here, we report neurotrophin3-loaded chitosan biomaterial substantially recovered bladder function after SCI. Multiple neuro-circuitry tracing technologies using pseudorabies virus (PRV), rabies virus (RV), and anterograde adeno-associated virus (AAV), demonstrated that newborn neurons were integrated into the micturition neural circuits and reconnected higher brain centers and lower spinal cord centers to control voiding, and participated in the restoration of the lower urinary tract function, even in the absence of long-distance axonal regeneration. Opto- and chemo-genetic studies further supported the notion that the supraspinal control of the lower urinary tract function was partially recovered. Our data demonstrated that regenerated relay neurons could be properly integrated into disrupted long-range neural circuits to restore function of adult CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Hao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fan Jia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Translational Research Center for the Nervous System (TRCNS), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peng Hao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Hongmei Duan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Zijue Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yubo Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China; School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yudan Gao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Orion R Fan
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Fuqiang Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute (BCBDI), Translational Research Center for the Nervous System (TRCNS), Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Zhaoyang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Yi E Sun
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200065, China; Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Mao J, Saiding Q, Qian S, Liu Z, Zhao B, Zhao Q, Lu B, Mao X, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Sun X, Cui W. Reprogramming stem cells in regenerative medicine. SMART MEDICINE 2022; 1:e20220005. [PMID: 39188749 PMCID: PMC11235200 DOI: 10.1002/smmd.20220005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that are generated from adult somatic cells are induced to express genes that make them pluripotent through reprogramming techniques. With their unlimited proliferative capacity and multifaceted differentiation potential and circumventing the ethical problems encountered in the application of embryonic stem cells (ESC), iPSCs have a broad application in the fields of cell therapy, drug screening, and disease models and may open up new possibilities for regenerative medicine to treat diseases in the future. In this review, we begin with different reprogramming cell technologies to obtain iPSCs, including biotechnological, chemical, and physical modulation techniques, and present their respective strengths, and limitations, as well as the recent progress of research. Secondly, we review recent research advances in iPSC reprogramming-based regenerative therapies. iPSCs are now widely used to study various clinical diseases of hair follicle defects, myocardial infarction, neurological disorders, liver diseases, and spinal cord injuries. This review focuses on the translational clinical research around iPSCs as well as their potential for growth in the medical field. Finally, we summarize the overall review and look at the potential future of iPSCs in the field of cell therapy as well as tissue regeneration engineering and possible problems. We believe that the advancing iPSC research will help drive long-awaited breakthroughs in cellular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Mao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Qimanguli Saiding
- Department of OrthopaedicsShanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint DiseasesShanghai Institute of Traumatology and OrthopaedicsRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Shutong Qian
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Zhimo Liu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Binfan Zhao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Qiuyu Zhao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Bolun Lu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xiyuan Mao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Liucheng Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yuguang Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaoming Sun
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Wenguo Cui
- Department of OrthopaedicsShanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint DiseasesShanghai Institute of Traumatology and OrthopaedicsRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
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10
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Yang R, Pan J, Wang Y, Xia P, Tai M, Jiang Z, Chen G. Application and prospects of somatic cell reprogramming technology for spinal cord injury treatment. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1005399. [PMID: 36467604 PMCID: PMC9712200 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1005399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological trauma that is challenging to treat. After SCI, many neurons in the injured area die due to necrosis or apoptosis, and astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia and other non-neuronal cells become dysfunctional, hindering the repair of the injured spinal cord. Corrective surgery and biological, physical and pharmacological therapies are commonly used treatment modalities for SCI; however, no current therapeutic strategies can achieve complete recovery. Somatic cell reprogramming is a promising technology that has gradually become a feasible therapeutic approach for repairing the injured spinal cord. This revolutionary technology can reprogram fibroblasts, astrocytes, NG2 cells and neural progenitor cells into neurons or oligodendrocytes for spinal cord repair. In this review, we provide an overview of the transcription factors, genes, microRNAs (miRNAs), small molecules and combinations of these factors that can mediate somatic cell reprogramming to repair the injured spinal cord. Although many challenges and questions related to this technique remain, we believe that the beneficial effect of somatic cell reprogramming provides new ideas for achieving functional recovery after SCI and a direction for the development of treatments for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riyun Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jingying Pan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yankai Wang
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Panhui Xia
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mingliang Tai
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhihao Jiang
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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11
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Guo W, Zhang X, Zhai J, Xue J. The roles and applications of neural stem cells in spinal cord injury repair. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:966866. [PMID: 36105599 PMCID: PMC9465243 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.966866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI), which has no current cure, places a severe burden on patients. Stem cell-based therapies are considered promising in attempts to repair injured spinal cords; such options include neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs are multipotent stem cells that differentiate into neuronal and neuroglial lineages. This feature makes NSCs suitable candidates for regenerating injured spinal cords. Many studies have revealed the therapeutic potential of NSCs. In this review, we discuss from an integrated view how NSCs can help SCI repair. We will discuss the sources and therapeutic potential of NSCs, as well as representative pre-clinical studies and clinical trials of NSC-based therapies for SCI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Guo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xindan Zhang
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiliang Zhai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jiliang Zhai, ; Jiajia Xue,
| | - Jiajia Xue
- Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jiliang Zhai, ; Jiajia Xue,
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