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Aceves M, Tucker A, Chen J, Vo K, Moses J, Amar Kumar P, Thomas H, Miranda D, Dampf G, Dietz V, Chang M, Lukose A, Jang J, Nadella S, Gillespie T, Trevino C, Buxton A, Pritchard AL, Green P, McCreedy DA, Dulin JN. Developmental stage of transplanted neural progenitor cells influences anatomical and functional outcomes after spinal cord injury in mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:544. [PMID: 37208439 PMCID: PMC10199026 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04893-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for replacing lost neurons following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, how graft cellular composition influences regeneration and synaptogenesis of host axon populations, or recovery of motor and sensory functions after SCI, is poorly understood. We transplanted developmentally-restricted spinal cord NPCs, isolated from E11.5-E13.5 mouse embryos, into sites of adult mouse SCI and analyzed graft axon outgrowth, cellular composition, host axon regeneration, and behavior. Earlier-stage grafts exhibited greater axon outgrowth, enrichment for ventral spinal cord interneurons and Group-Z spinal interneurons, and enhanced host 5-HT+ axon regeneration. Later-stage grafts were enriched for late-born dorsal horn interneuronal subtypes and Group-N spinal interneurons, supported more extensive host CGRP+ axon ingrowth, and exacerbated thermal hypersensitivity. Locomotor function was not affected by any type of NPC graft. These findings showcase the role of spinal cord graft cellular composition in determining anatomical and functional outcomes following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Aceves
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Ashley Tucker
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Joseph Chen
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Katie Vo
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Joshua Moses
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | | | - Hannah Thomas
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Diego Miranda
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gabrielle Dampf
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Valerie Dietz
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Matthew Chang
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Aleena Lukose
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Julius Jang
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Sneha Nadella
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Tucker Gillespie
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Christian Trevino
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Andrew Buxton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Anna L Pritchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | | | - Dylan A McCreedy
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Jennifer N Dulin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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2
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Medvediev VV, Oleksenko NP, Pichkur LD, Verbovska SA, Savosko SI, Draguntsova NG, Lontkovskyi YA, Vaslovych VV, Tsymbalyuk VI. Implantation Effect of a Fibrin Matrix Associated with Mesenchymal Wharton’s Jelly Stromal Cells on the Course of an Experimental Spinal Cord Injury. CYTOL GENET+ 2023. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452723010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
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3
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Suzuki H, Imajo Y, Funaba M, Ikeda H, Nishida N, Sakai T. Current Concepts of Biomaterial Scaffolds and Regenerative Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032528. [PMID: 36768846 PMCID: PMC9917245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic condition associated with significant neurological deficit and social and financial burdens. It is currently being managed symptomatically, with no real therapeutic strategies available. In recent years, a number of innovative regenerative strategies have emerged and have been continuously investigated in preclinical research and clinical trials. In the near future, several more are expected to come down the translational pipeline. Among ongoing and completed trials are those reporting the use of biomaterial scaffolds. The advancements in biomaterial technology, combined with stem cell therapy or other regenerative therapy, can now accelerate the progress of promising novel therapeutic strategies from bench to bedside. Various types of approaches to regeneration therapy for SCI have been combined with the use of supportive biomaterial scaffolds as a drug and cell delivery system to facilitate favorable cell-material interactions and the supportive effect of neuroprotection. In this review, we summarize some of the most recent insights of preclinical and clinical studies using biomaterial scaffolds in regenerative therapy for SCI and summarized the biomaterial strategies for treatment with simplified results data. One hundred and sixty-eight articles were selected in the present review, in which we focused on biomaterial scaffolds. We conducted our search of articles using PubMed and Medline, a medical database. We used a combination of "Spinal cord injury" and ["Biomaterial", or "Scaffold"] as search terms and searched articles published up until 30 April 2022. Successful future therapies will require these biomaterial scaffolds and other synergistic approaches to address the persistent barriers to regeneration, including glial scarring, the loss of a structural framework, and biocompatibility. This database could serve as a benchmark to progress in future clinical trials for SCI using biomaterial scaffolds.
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4
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Pitonak M, Aceves M, Kumar PA, Dampf G, Green P, Tucker A, Dietz V, Miranda D, Letchuman S, Jonika MM, Bautista D, Blackmon H, Dulin JN. Effects of biological sex mismatch on neural progenitor cell transplantation for spinal cord injury in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5380. [PMID: 36104357 PMCID: PMC9474813 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advancement of neural progenitor cell transplantation to spinal cord injury clinical trials, there remains a lack of understanding of how biological sex of transplanted cells influences outcomes after transplantation. To address this, we transplanted GFP-expressing sex-matched, sex-mismatched, or mixed donor cells into sites of spinal cord injury in adult male and female mice. Biological sex of the donor cells does not influence graft neuron density, glial differentiation, formation of the reactive glial cell border, or graft axon outgrowth. However, male grafts in female hosts feature extensive hypervascularization accompanied by increased vascular diameter and perivascular cell density. We show greater T-cell infiltration within male-to-female grafts than other graft types. Together, these findings indicate a biological sex-specific immune response of female mice to male donor cells. Our work suggests that biological sex should be considered in the design of future clinical trials for cell transplantation in human injury. In this study, Pitonak et al. report that transplantation of neural progenitor cells derived from male donors trigger an immune rejection response following transplantation into sites of spinal cord injury in female mice.
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5
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Medvediev VV, Oleksenko NP, Pichkur LD, Verbovska SA, Savosko SI, Draguntsova NG, Lontkovskiy YA, Vaslovych VV, Tsymbalyuk VI. Effect of Implantation of a Fibrin Matrix Associated with Neonatal Brain Cells on the Course of an Experimental Spinal Cord Injury. CYTOL GENET+ 2022. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452722020086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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6
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Ko W, Kim SJ, Han GH, Lee D, Jeong D, Lee SJ, Han I, Hong JB, Sheen SH, Sohn S. Transplantation of neuron‐inducing grafts embedding positively charged gold nanoparticles for the treatment of spinal cord injury. BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 7:e10326. [PMID: 36176600 PMCID: PMC9472004 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to investigate the recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) by inducing cellular differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons. We dissociated NSCs from the spinal cords of Fisher 344 rat embryos. An injectable gel crosslinked with glycol chitosan and oxidized hyaluronate was used as a vehicle for NSC transplantation. The gel graft containing the NSC and positively charged gold nanoparticles (pGNP) was implanted into spinal cord lesions in Sprague–Dawley rats (NSC‐pGNP gel group). Cellular differentiation of grafted NSCs into neurons (stained with β‐tubulin III [also called Tuj1]) was significantly increased in the NSC‐pGNP gel group (***p < 0.001) compared to those of two control groups (NSC and NSC gel groups) in the SCI conditions. The NSC‐pGNP gel group showed the lowest differentiation into astrocytes (stained with glial fibrillary acidic protein). Regeneration of damaged axons (stained with biotinylated dextran amines) within the lesion was two‐fold higher in the NSC‐pGNP gel group than that in the NSC gel group. The highest locomotor scores were also found in the NSC‐pGNP gel group. These outcomes suggest that neuron‐inducing pGNP gel graft embedding embryonic spinal cord‐derived NSCs can be a useful type of stem cell therapy after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan‐Kyu Ko
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Jun Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
| | - Gong Ho Han
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
| | - Daye Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
| | - Dabin Jeong
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
- Department of Biology Lawrence University Appleton Wisconsin USA
| | - Sang Jin Lee
- Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry Kyung Hee University Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - In‐Bo Han
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
| | - Je Beom Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hun Sheen
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
| | - Seil Sohn
- Department of Neurosurgery CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University Seongnam‐si Gyeonggi‐do Republic of Korea
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7
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Kaplan B, Levenberg S. The Role of Biomaterials in Peripheral Nerve and Spinal Cord Injury: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031244. [PMID: 35163168 PMCID: PMC8835501 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries are potentially devastating traumatic conditions with major consequences for patients’ lives. Severe cases of these conditions are currently incurable. In both the peripheral nerves and the spinal cord, disruption and degeneration of axons is the main cause of neurological deficits. Biomaterials offer experimental solutions to improve these conditions. They can be engineered as scaffolds that mimic the nerve tissue extracellular matrix and, upon implantation, encourage axonal regeneration. Furthermore, biomaterial scaffolds can be designed to deliver therapeutic agents to the lesion site. This article presents the principles and recent advances in the use of biomaterials for axonal regeneration and nervous system repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Kaplan
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
- Bruce Rapaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Shulamit Levenberg
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
- Correspondence:
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8
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Li G, Zhang B, Sun JH, Shi LY, Huang MY, Huang LJ, Lin ZJ, Lin QY, Lai BQ, Ma YH, Jiang B, Ding Y, Zhang HB, Li MX, Zhu P, Wang YQ, Zeng X, Zeng YS. An NT-3-releasing bioscaffold supports the formation of TrkC-modified neural stem cell-derived neural network tissue with efficacy in repairing spinal cord injury. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:3766-3781. [PMID: 33898877 PMCID: PMC8044869 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism underlying neurogenesis during embryonic spinal cord development involves a specific ligand/receptor interaction, which may be help guide neuroengineering to boost stem cell-based neural regeneration for the structural and functional repair of spinal cord injury. Herein, we hypothesized that supplying spinal cord defects with an exogenous neural network in the NT-3/fibroin-coated gelatin sponge (NF-GS) scaffold might improve tissue repair efficacy. To test this, we engineered tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC)-modified neural stem cell (NSC)-derived neural network tissue with robust viability within an NF-GS scaffold. When NSCs were genetically modified to overexpress TrkC, the NT-3 receptor, a functional neuronal population dominated the neural network tissue. The pro-regenerative niche allowed the long-term survival and phenotypic maintenance of the donor neural network tissue for up to 8 weeks in the injured spinal cord. Additionally, host nerve fibers regenerated into the graft, making synaptic connections with the donor neurons. Accordingly, motor function recovery was significantly improved in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) that received TrkC-modified NSC-derived neural network tissue transplantation. Together, the results suggested that transplantation of the neural network tissue formed in the 3D bioactive scaffold may represent a valuable approach to study and develop therapies for SCI. A NT-3 sustained-release scaffold confers a microenvironment partially simulating the developmental spinal cord. The NT-3 microenvironment boosts neuronal differentiation of TrkC-modified NSCs by interactions between ligand and receptor. TrkC-NSCs is self-organized into a neural network tissue with typical neural excitability in 3D bioactive scaffold in vitro. The grafted neural network tissue can survive and maintain neural property, and improve motor function of paralyzed rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Bao Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Hui Sun
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Li-Yang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Meng-Yao Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Li-Jun Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zi-Jing Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qiong-Yu Lin
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Hong-Bo Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Miao-Xin Li
- Laboratory of Precision Medical Genomics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Wang
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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9
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NFAT5 Deficiency Alleviates Formalin-Induced Inflammatory Pain Through mTOR. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052587. [PMID: 33806698 PMCID: PMC7961436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT5) is a well-known transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes involved in osmotic stress. However, the role of NFAT5 in inflammatory pain remains unknown. Here, we studied the function of NFAT5 in inflammatory pain using NFAT5-heterozygous (Het) mice. To study inflammatory pain, we injected 10 µL of 2% formalin into the right hind paws of mice and monitored pain behaviors, such as licking, lifting, and flinching, for 60 min. After the first 15 min (phase I), there were no significant differences in pain behaviors between wild-type (WT) and NFAT5-Het mice. However, from 15–60 min (phase II), NFAT5-Het mice displayed significantly fewer pain behaviors compared to WT mice. Further, the expression levels of inflammatory-pain-related factors, including c-Fos, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and phosphorylated n-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (p-NR2B), were significantly elevated in the spinal dorsal neurons of formalin-treated WT mice but was not elevated in NFAT5-Het mice. Similarly, c-Fos, p-ERK, and p-NR2B levels were significantly higher in glutamate-treated PC12 neuronal cells but were not affected by Nfat5 silencing in glutamate-treated PC12 cells. Altogether, our findings suggest that NFAT5 deficiency may mitigate formalin-induced inflammatory pain by upregulating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression and downregulating its downstream factors in spinal dorsal neurons. Therefore, NFAT5 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory pain.
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10
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Optogenetic Modulation of Neural Progenitor Cells Improves Neuroregenerative Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010365. [PMID: 33396468 PMCID: PMC7794764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation possesses enormous potential for the treatment of disorders and injuries of the central nervous system, including the replacement of lost cells or the repair of host neural circuity after spinal cord injury (SCI). Importantly, cell-based therapies in this context still require improvements such as increased cell survival and host circuit integration, and we propose the implementation of optogenetics as a solution. Blue-light stimulation of NPCs engineered to ectopically express the excitatory light-sensitive protein channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2-NPCs) prompted an influx of cations and a subsequent increase in proliferation and differentiation into oligodendrocytes and neurons and the polarization of astrocytes from a pro-inflammatory phenotype to a pro-regenerative/anti-inflammatory phenotype. Moreover, neurons derived from blue-light-stimulated ChR2-NPCs exhibited both increased branching and axon length and improved axon growth in the presence of axonal inhibitory drugs such as lysophosphatidic acid or chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. Our results highlight the enormous potential of optogenetically stimulated NPCs as a means to increase neuroregeneration and improve cell therapy outcomes for enhancing better engraftments and cell identity upon transplantation in conditions such as SCI.
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11
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Lech W, Sarnowska A, Kuczynska Z, Dabrowski F, Figiel-Dabrowska A, Domanska-Janik K, Buzanska L, Zychowicz M. Biomimetic microenvironmental preconditioning enhance neuroprotective properties of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's Jelly (WJ-MSCs). Sci Rep 2020; 10:16946. [PMID: 33037314 PMCID: PMC7547118 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74066-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuning stem cells microenvironment in vitro may influence their regenerative properties. In this study Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were encapsulated in 3D hydrogels derived from human fibrin (FB) or platelet lysate (PL) and the oxygen level was adjusted to physiological normoxia (5% O2). The influence of the type of the scaffold and physiological normoxia conditions was tested on the WJ-MSCs' survivability, proliferation, migratory potential, the level of expression of selected trophic factors, cytokines, and neural markers. Encapsulated WJ-MSCs revealed high survivability, stable proliferation rate, and ability to migrate out of the hydrogel and the up-regulated expression of all tested factors, as well as the increased expression of neural differentiation markers. Physiological normoxia stimulated proliferation of encapsulated WJ-MSCs and significantly enhanced their neuronal, but not glial, differentiation. Ex vivo studies with indirect co-culture of organotypic hippocampal slices and cell-hydrogel bio-constructs revealed strong neuroprotective effect of WJ-MSCs against neuronal death in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. This effect was potentiated further by FB scaffolds under 5% O2 conditions. Our results indicating significant effect of oxygen and 3D cytoarchitecture suggest the urgent need for further optimization of the microenvironmental conditions to improve therapeutical competence of the WJ-MSCs population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioletta Lech
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Sarnowska
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.,Translational Platform for Regenerative Medicine, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zuzanna Kuczynska
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Filip Dabrowski
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Starynkiewicza Square 1/3, 02-015, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Figiel-Dabrowska
- Translational Platform for Regenerative Medicine, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krystyna Domanska-Janik
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Leonora Buzanska
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marzena Zychowicz
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
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12
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Biancotti JC, Walker KA, Jiang G, Di Bernardo J, Shea LD, Kunisaki SM. Hydrogel and neural progenitor cell delivery supports organotypic fetal spinal cord development in an ex vivo model of prenatal spina bifida repair. J Tissue Eng 2020; 11:2041731420943833. [PMID: 32782773 PMCID: PMC7383650 DOI: 10.1177/2041731420943833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying how the fetal spinal cord regenerates in an ex vivo model of spina bifida repair may provide insights into the development of new tissue engineering treatment strategies to better optimize neurologic function in affected patients. Here, we developed hydrogel surgical patches designed for prenatal repair of myelomeningocele defects and demonstrated viability of both human and rat neural progenitor donor cells within this three-dimensional scaffold microenvironment. We then established an organotypic slice culture model using transverse lumbar spinal cord slices harvested from retinoic acid–exposed fetal rats to study the effect of fibrin hydrogel patches ex vivo. Based on histology, immunohistochemistry, gene expression, and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays, these experiments demonstrate the biocompatibility of fibrin hydrogel patches on the fetal spinal cord and suggest this organotypic slice culture system as a useful platform for evaluating mechanisms of damage and repair in children with neural tube defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Biancotti
- Division of General Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kendal A Walker
- Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Guihua Jiang
- Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julie Di Bernardo
- Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lonnie D Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shaun M Kunisaki
- Division of General Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Fetal Program, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
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13
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Fischer I, Dulin JN, Lane MA. Transplanting neural progenitor cells to restore connectivity after spinal cord injury. Nat Rev Neurosci 2020; 21:366-383. [PMID: 32518349 PMCID: PMC8384139 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-0314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury remains a scientific and therapeutic challenge with great cost to individuals and society. The goal of research in this field is to find a means of restoring lost function. Recently we have seen considerable progress in understanding the injury process and the capacity of CNS neurons to regenerate, as well as innovations in stem cell biology. This presents an opportunity to develop effective transplantation strategies to provide new neural cells to promote the formation of new neuronal networks and functional connectivity. Past and ongoing clinical studies have demonstrated the safety of cell therapy, and preclinical research has used models of spinal cord injury to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which donor cells interact with the host and thus increase long-term efficacy. While a variety of cell therapies have been explored, we focus here on the use of neural progenitor cells obtained or derived from different sources to promote connectivity in sensory, motor and autonomic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itzhak Fischer
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Jennifer N Dulin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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14
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Three Growth Factors Induce Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Precursor Cells In Vitro and Support Cell-Transplantation after Spinal Cord Injury In Vivo. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:5674921. [PMID: 32774390 PMCID: PMC7399764 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5674921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy with neural precursor cells (NPCs) has the potential to improve neuroregeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, survival and differentiation of transplanted NPCs in the injured spinal cord remains low. Growth factors have been successfully used to improve NPC transplantation in animal models, but their extensive application is associated with a relevant financial burden and might hinder translation of findings into the clinical practice. In our current study, we assessed the potential of a reduced number of growth factors in different combinations and concentrations to increase proliferation and differentiation of NPCs in vitro. After identifying a “cocktail” (EGF, bFGF, and PDGF-AA) that directed cell fate towards the oligodendroglial and neuronal lineage while reducing astrocytic differentiation, we translated our findings into an in vivo model of cervical clip contusion/compression SCI at the C6 level in immunosuppressed Wistar rats, combining NPC transplantation and intrathecal administration of the growth factors 10 days after injury. Eight weeks after SCI, we could observe surviving NPCs in the injured animals that had mostly differentiated into oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocytic precursors. Moreover, “Stride length” and “Average Speed” in the CatWalk gait analysis were significantly improved 8 weeks after SCI, representing beneficial effects on the functional recovery with NPC transplantation and the administration of the three growth factors. Nevertheless, no effects on the BBB scores could be observed over the course of the experiment and regeneration of descending tracts as well as posttraumatic myelination remained unchanged. However, reactive astrogliosis, as well as posttraumatic inflammation and apoptosis was significantly reduced after NPC transplantation and GF administration. Our data suggest that NPC transplantation is feasible with the use of only EGF, bFGF, and PDGF-AA as supporting growth factors.
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15
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Global and site-specific analysis of bone in a rat model of spinal cord injury-induced osteoporosis. Bone Rep 2019; 12:100233. [PMID: 31886322 PMCID: PMC6920718 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2019.100233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-Computed Tomography bone analysis is the gold standard method for assessing trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture in small animal bones. This technique reports morphometric parameters as averages over selected volumes of interest (VOIs). This study proposes the introduction of an additional global 2D morphometric step into the analysis process, that provides a survey of the underlying morphometric variation present throughout both trabecular and cortical bone. The visualisation of these morphometric distributions provides a systematic approach to VOI selection that provides rationale and adds confidence to subsequent 3D morphometric analysis. To test the applicability and value of this methodological addition it was applied to the distal femur of a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced osteoporosis. The 2D morphometric variation of both trabecular and cortical bone was quantified as a function of bone length. SCI-induced osteoporosis was localised in i) trabecular bone, where metaphyseal bone was more severely affected than epiphyseal bone, and there was a significant reduction in Distal Femoral Trabecular Extent, a new parameter defined here that quantifies how far trabecular bone penetrates in to the marrow cavity, ii) cortical bone, where diaphyseal bone underwent significant lowering of both cortical area and thickness, while distal-metaphyseal bone did not. Theses site-specific changes were validated, further elucidated and compared with follow-up conventional 3D analysis. The techniques applied here are equally applicable to other long bones (tibia, humerus, radius, ulna), other types of imaging modality and other types of experimental design including the effects of rehabilitation, aging, loading, gene knockout and pharmacological intervention. 2D morphological surveying identifies regions warranting further 3D investigation. Trabecular microarchitecture site-specifically varies in the distal femur. SCI-induced osteoporosis changes metaphyseal more than epiphyseal trabecular bone. SCI-induced osteoporosis reduced the extent of metaphyseal trabecular bone.
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16
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High-Dose Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation Increases Engraftment and Neuronal Distribution and Promotes Functional Recovery in Rats after Acutely Severe Spinal Cord Injury. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:9807978. [PMID: 31565061 PMCID: PMC6745168 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9807978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to permanent, complete paraplegia and places considerable mental and economic burdens on patients, compared with mild to moderate SCI. However, the dose-related effects of the neural stem/precursor cell (NSPC) transplantation on the injury microenvironment, NSPC survival, axonal growth, neuronal distribution, the composition of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes in the lesion area and functional recovery have not yet been quantitatively evaluated in the context of severe SCI. In our study, we acutely transplanted 2.5 × 104 or 1.5 × 105 NSPCs/μl into the site of transection SCI. We found that high-dose NSPC transplantation exerted immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects in the acute phase of severe SCI. In addition, one week later, a remarkable positive relationship was observed between the transplantation dose and the number of surviving NSPCs in severe SCI. At 8 weeks postgrafting, subjects that received the higher cell dose exhibited abundant nerve regeneration, extensive neuronal distribution, increased proportions of neurons and oligodendrocytes, and nascent functional neural network formation in the lesion area. Notably, a significant functional recovery was also observed. Our data suggest that it is important to consider potential dose-related effects on donor cell survival, neuronal distribution, and locomotor recovery in the development of preclinical NSPC transplantation therapy for severe SCI.
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17
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Perovic D, Kolenc D, Bilic V, Somun N, Drmic D, Elabjer E, Buljat G, Seiwerth S, Sikiric P. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury and lead to functional recovery in rats. J Orthop Surg Res 2019; 14:199. [PMID: 31266512 PMCID: PMC6604284 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-019-1242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We focused on the therapeutic effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in spinal cord injury using a rat model. BPC 157, of which the LD1 has not been achieved, has been implemented as an anti-ulcer peptide in inflammatory bowel disease trials and recently in a multiple sclerosis trial. In animals, BPC 157 has an anti-inflammatory effect and therapeutic effects in functional recovery and the rescue of somatosensory neurons in the sciatic nerve after transection, upon brain injury after concussive trauma, and in severe encephalopathies. Additionally, BPC 157 affects various molecular pathways. METHODS Therefore, BPC 157 therapy was administered by a one-time intraperitoneal injection (BPC 157 (200 or 2 μg/kg) or 0.9% NaCl (5 ml/kg)) 10 min after injury. The injury procedure involved laminectomy (level L2-L3) and a 60-s compression (neurosurgical piston (60-66 g) of the exposed dural sac of the sacrocaudal spinal cord). Assessments were performed at 1, 4, 7, 15, 30, 90, 180, and 360 days after injury. RESULTS All of the injured rats that received BPC 157 exhibited consistent clinical improvement, increasingly better motor function of the tail, no autotomy, and resolved spasticity by day 15. BPC 157 application largely counteracted changes at the microscopic level, including the formation of vacuoles and the loss of axons in the white matter, the formation of edema and the loss of motoneurons in the gray matter, and a decreased number of large myelinated axons in the rat caudal nerve from day 7. EMG recordings showed a markedly lower motor unit potential in the tail muscle. CONCLUSION Axonal and neuronal necrosis, demyelination, and cyst formation were counteracted. The functional rescue provided by BPC 157 after spinal cord injury implies that BPC 157 therapy can impact all stages of the secondary injury phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darko Perovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Danijela Kolenc
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 9, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vide Bilic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nenad Somun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Domagoj Drmic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Esmat Elabjer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gojko Buljat
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sven Seiwerth
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 9, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Predrag Sikiric
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 11, P.O. Box 916, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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18
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Shi W, Bi S, Dai Y, Yang K, Zhao Y, Zhang Z. Clobetasol propionate enhances neural stem cell and oligodendrocyte differentiation. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:1258-1266. [PMID: 31363370 PMCID: PMC6614724 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Clobetasol propionate (Clo) is a potent topical glucocorticoid and a potential remyelinating agent that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the effect of Clo on neural stem cells (NSCs) remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Clo on the differentiation of NSCs in vitro. NSCs were isolated from mouse embryonic brain tissues and expanded in vitro. The effect of Clo on NSC viability was examined using an MTT assay. Differentiating NSCs were treated with 5 or 10 µM Clo, or with DMSO control, and the degree of differentiation was examined following culture in stem cell differentiation induction medium for 7 days. The effect of Clo on NSC differentiation was assessed using immunocytochemistry and western blot analyses. The results revealed that Clo significantly increased NSC viability compared with the DMSO control group. Treatment with Clo also significantly increased the number of NSCs that differentiated into growth associated protein 43 positive neurons and corresponding axon lengths were also significantly increased. In addition, treatment with Clo significantly increased the number of myelin basic protein positive oligodendrocytes and decreased the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive astrocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of the sonic hedgehog and AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathways inhibited Clo-induced NSC differentiation, and treatment with Clo upregulated the expression of several neurotrophic factors. In conclusion, the results of the current study suggest that Clo may have a potential therapeutic benefit in neurological disorders affecting oligodendrocytes and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211300, P.R. China
| | - Shiqi Bi
- Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, P.R. China
| | - Yao Dai
- Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, P.R. China
| | - Kaiyuan Yang
- Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, P.R. China
| | - Youfa Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Gaochun People's Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211300, P.R. China
| | - Zhijian Zhang
- Department of Embryology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, P.R. China
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19
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Robinson M, Valente KP, Willerth SM. A Novel Toolkit for Characterizing the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Engineered Neural Tissues. BIOSENSORS 2019; 9:E51. [PMID: 30939804 PMCID: PMC6627085 DOI: 10.3390/bios9020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We have designed and validated a set of robust and non-toxic protocols for directly evaluating the properties of engineered neural tissue. These protocols characterize the mechanical properties of engineered neural tissues and measure their electrophysical activity. The protocols obtain elastic moduli of very soft fibrin hydrogel scaffolds and voltage readings from motor neuron cultures. Neurons require soft substrates to differentiate and mature, however measuring the elastic moduli of soft substrates remains difficult to accurately measure using standard protocols such as atomic force microscopy or shear rheology. Here we validate a direct method for acquiring elastic modulus of fibrin using a modified Hertz model for thin films. In this method, spherical indenters are positioned on top of the fibrin samples, generating an indentation depth that is then correlated with elastic modulus. Neurons function by transmitting electrical signals to one another and being able to assess the development of electrical signaling serves is an important verification step when engineering neural tissues. We then validated a protocol wherein the electrical activity of motor neural cultures is measured directly by a voltage sensitive dye and a microplate reader without causing damage to the cells. These protocols provide a non-destructive method for characterizing the mechanical and electrical properties of living spinal cord tissues using novel biosensing methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Robinson
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2, Canada.
| | - Karolina Papera Valente
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2, Canada.
| | - Stephanie M Willerth
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2, Canada.
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2, Canada.
- Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2, Canada.
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20
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Neural precursor cells form integrated brain-like tissue when implanted into rat cerebrospinal fluid. Commun Biol 2018; 1:114. [PMID: 30271994 PMCID: PMC6123740 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0113-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There is tremendous interest in transplanting neural precursor cells for brain tissue regeneration. However, it remains unclear whether a vascularized and integrated complex neural tissue can be generated within the brain through transplantation of cells. Here, we report that early stage neural precursor cells recapitulate their seminal properties and develop into large brain-like tissue when implanted into the rat brain ventricle. Whereas the implanted cells predominantly differentiated into glutamatergic neurons and astrocytes, the host brain supplied the intact vasculature, oligodendrocytes, GABAergic interneurons, and microglia that seamlessly integrated into the new tissue. Furthermore, local and long-range axonal connections formed mature synapses between the host brain and the graft. Implantation of precursor cells into the CSF-filled cavity also led to a formation of brain-like tissue that integrated into the host cortex. These results may constitute the basis of future brain tissue replacement strategies. Nikorn Pothayee et al. show that early neural precursor cells (NPCs) derived from the embryonic telencephalon or midbrain can develop into brain-like tissue when implanted into the rat brain ventricle. Telencephalon-derived NPCs also form brain tissue in the host cortex when implanted into a CSF-filled cavity formed by cortical ablation.
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21
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Zholudeva LV, Iyer N, Qiang L, Spruance VM, Randelman ML, White NW, Bezdudnaya T, Fischer I, Sakiyama-Elbert SE, Lane MA. Transplantation of Neural Progenitors and V2a Interneurons after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:2883-2903. [PMID: 29873284 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of neural precursor cells to treat spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite extensive pre-clinical research, it remains unclear as to which donor neuron phenotypes are available for transplantation, whether the same populations exist across different sources of donor tissue (e.g., developing tissue vs. cultured cells), and whether donor cells retain their phenotype once transplanted into the hostile internal milieu of the injured adult spinal cord. In addition, while functional improvements have been reported after neural precursor transplantation post-SCI, the extent of recovery is limited and variable. The present work begins to address these issues by harnessing ventrally derived excitatory pre-motor V2a spinal interneurons (SpINs) to repair the phrenic motor circuit after cervical SCI. Recent studies have demonstrated that Chx10-positive V2a SpINs contribute to anatomical plasticity within the phrenic circuitry after cervical SCI, thus identifying them as a therapeutic candidate. Building upon this discovery, the present work tests the hypothesis that transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) enriched with V2a INs can contribute to neural networks that promote repair and enhance respiratory plasticity after cervical SCI. Cultured NPCs (neuronal and glial restricted progenitor cells) isolated from E13.5 Green fluorescent protein rats were aggregated with TdTomato-mouse embryonic stem cell-derived V2a INs in vitro, then transplanted into the injured cervical (C3-4) spinal cord. Donor cells survive, differentiate and integrate with the host spinal cord. Functional diaphragm electromyography indicated recovery 1 month following treatment in transplant recipients. Animals that received donor cells enriched with V2a INs showed significantly greater functional improvement than animals that received NPCs alone. The results from this study offer insight into the neuronal phenotypes that might be effective for (re)establishing neuronal circuits in the injured adult central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nisha Iyer
- 3 Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Liang Qiang
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Victoria M Spruance
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margo L Randelman
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicholas W White
- 4 Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, Texas
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Itzhak Fischer
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Michael A Lane
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2 Spinal Cord Research Center, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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22
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Dalamagkas K, Tsintou M, Seifalian A, Seifalian AM. Translational Regenerative Therapies for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1776. [PMID: 29914060 PMCID: PMC6032191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is a chronic and debilitating neurological condition that is currently being managed symptomatically with no real therapeutic strategies available. Even though there is no consensus on the best time to start interventions, the chronic phase is definitely the most stable target in order to determine whether a therapy can effectively restore neurological function. The advancements of nanoscience and stem cell technology, combined with the powerful, novel neuroimaging modalities that have arisen can now accelerate the path of promising novel therapeutic strategies from bench to bedside. Several types of stem cells have reached up to clinical trials phase II, including adult neural stem cells, human spinal cord stem cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, autologous Schwann cells, umbilical cord blood-derived mononuclear cells, adult mesenchymal cells, and autologous bone-marrow-derived stem cells. There also have been combinations of different molecular therapies; these have been either alone or combined with supportive scaffolds with nanostructures to facilitate favorable cell⁻material interactions. The results already show promise but it will take some coordinated actions in order to develop a proper step-by-step approach to solve impactful problems with neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Dalamagkas
- The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Centre, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College of London (UCL), London NW3 2QG, UK.
| | - Magdalini Tsintou
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College of London (UCL), London NW3 2QG, UK.
- Center for Neural Systems Investigations, Massachusetts General Hospital/HST Athinoula A., Martinos Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
| | - Amelia Seifalian
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, UCL Medical School, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Alexander M Seifalian
- NanoRegMed Ltd. (Nanotechnology & Regenerative Medicine Commercialization Centre), The London BioScience Innovation Centre, London NW1 0NH, UK.
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23
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Brock JH, Graham L, Staufenberg E, Im S, Tuszynski MH. Rodent Neural Progenitor Cells Support Functional Recovery after Cervical Spinal Cord Contusion. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:1069-1078. [PMID: 29279015 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we and others have shown that rodent neural progenitor cells (NPCs) can support functional recovery after cervical and thoracic transection injuries. To extend these observations to a more clinically relevant model of spinal cord injury, we performed unilateral midcervical contusion injuries in Fischer 344 rats. Two-weeks later, E14-derived syngeneic spinal cord-derived multi-potent NPCs were implanted into the lesion cavity. Control animals received either no grafts or fibroblast grafts. The NPCs differentiated into all three neural lineages (neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes) and robustly extended axons into the host spinal cord caudal and rostral to the lesion. Graft-derived axons grew into host gray matter and expressed synaptic proteins in juxtaposition with host neurons. Animals that received NPC grafts exhibited significant recovery of forelimb motor function compared with the two control groups (analysis of variance p < 0.05). Thus, NPC grafts improve forelimb motor outcomes after clinically relevant cervical contusion injury. These benefits are observed when grafts are placed two weeks after injury, a time point that is more clinically practical than acute interventions, allowing time for patients to stabilize medically, simplifying enrollment in clinical trials, and enhancing predictability of spontaneous improvement in control groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hoffman Brock
- 1 VA San Diego Healthcare System , San Diego, California.,2 University of California , San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Lori Graham
- 2 University of California , San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Sarah Im
- 2 University of California , San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Mark Henry Tuszynski
- 1 VA San Diego Healthcare System , San Diego, California.,2 University of California , San Diego, La Jolla, California
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24
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Liu S, Schackel T, Weidner N, Puttagunta R. Biomaterial-Supported Cell Transplantation Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury: Challenges and Perspectives. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 11:430. [PMID: 29375316 PMCID: PMC5768640 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in para- and tetraplegia caused by the partial or complete disruption of descending motor and ascending sensory neurons, represents a complex neurological condition that remains incurable. Following SCI, numerous obstacles comprising of the loss of neural tissue (neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes), formation of a cavity, inflammation, loss of neuronal circuitry and function must be overcome. Given the multifaceted primary and secondary injury events that occur with SCI treatment options are likely to require combinatorial therapies. While several methods have been explored, only the intersection of two, cell transplantation and biomaterial implantation, will be addressed in detail here. Owing to the constant advance of cell culture technologies, cell-based transplantation has come to the forefront of SCI treatment in order to replace/protect damaged tissue and provide physical as well as trophic support for axonal regrowth. Biomaterial scaffolds provide cells with a protected environment from the surrounding lesion, in addition to bridging extensive damage and providing physical and directional support for axonal regrowth. Moreover, in this combinatorial approach cell transplantation improves scaffold integration and therefore regenerative growth potential. Here, we review the advances in combinatorial therapies of Schwann cells (SCs), astrocytes, olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), mesenchymal stem cells, as well as neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) with various biomaterial scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwen Liu
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Thomas Schackel
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Weidner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Radhika Puttagunta
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Dulin JN, Adler AF, Kumamaru H, Poplawski GHD, Lee-Kubli C, Strobl H, Gibbs D, Kadoya K, Fawcett JW, Lu P, Tuszynski MH. Injured adult motor and sensory axons regenerate into appropriate organotypic domains of neural progenitor grafts. Nat Commun 2018; 9:84. [PMID: 29311559 PMCID: PMC5758751 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02613-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation has high therapeutic potential in neurological disorders. Functional restoration may depend on the formation of reciprocal connections between host and graft. While it has been reported that axons extending out of neural grafts in the brain form contacts onto phenotypically appropriate host target regions, it is not known whether adult, injured host axons regenerating into NPC grafts also form appropriate connections. We report that spinal cord NPCs grafted into the injured adult rat spinal cord self-assemble organotypic, dorsal horn-like domains. These clusters are extensively innervated by regenerating adult host sensory axons and are avoided by corticospinal axons. Moreover, host axon regeneration into grafts increases significantly after enrichment with appropriate neuronal targets. Together, these findings demonstrate that injured adult axons retain the ability to recognize appropriate targets and avoid inappropriate targets within neural progenitor grafts, suggesting that restoration of complex circuitry after SCI may be achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Dulin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Andrew F Adler
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hiromi Kumamaru
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Gunnar H D Poplawski
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Corinne Lee-Kubli
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hans Strobl
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Daniel Gibbs
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ken Kadoya
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Paul Lu
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Mark H Tuszynski
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA.
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26
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Robinson M, Douglas S, Michelle Willerth S. Mechanically stable fibrin scaffolds promote viability and induce neurite outgrowth in neural aggregates derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6250. [PMID: 28740258 PMCID: PMC5524903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06570-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent work demonstrated that 3D fibrin scaffolds function as an effective substrate for engineering tissues from pluripotent stem cells. However, the rapid degradation rate of fibrin remains a major limitation when differentiating human pluripotent stem cells for tissue engineering applications. The addition of crosslinking agents, such as genipin, during the polymerization process increases scaffold stability while decreasing the degradation rate of fibrin. Genipin crosslinking alters the physical characteristics of the fibrin scaffolds, which influences the behaviour of the differentiating cells seeded inside. It also possesses neuritogenic and neuroprotective properties, making it particularly attractive for engineering neural tissue from pluripotent stem cells. Here we show that genipin enhances neuronal differentiation of neural progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in 2D culture and genipin concentration influences the morphological and mechanical properties of 3D fibrin scaffolds. These mechanically stable genipin-crosslinked fibrin scaffolds support hiPSC-derived neural aggregates and induce neurite outgrowth while remaining intact for 2 weeks as opposed to 5 days for unmodified fibrin scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Robinson
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Sarah Douglas
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Stephanie Michelle Willerth
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
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Li Z, Li X, Chan MTV, Wu WKK, Tan D, Shen J. Melatonin antagonizes interleukin-18-mediated inhibition on neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:2163-2171. [PMID: 28429571 PMCID: PMC5571550 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are self‐renewing, pluripotent and undifferentiated cells which have the potential to differentiate into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. NSC therapy for tissue regeneration, thus, gains popularity. However, the low survivals rate of the transplanted cell impedes its utilities. In this study, we tested whether melatonin, a potent antioxidant, could promote the NSC proliferation and neuronal differentiation, especially, in the presence of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐18 (IL‐18). Our results showed that melatonin per se indeed exhibited beneficial effects on NSCs and IL‐18 inhibited NSC proliferation, neurosphere formation and their differentiation into neurons. All inhibitory effects of IL‐18 on NSCs were significantly reduced by melatonin treatment. Moreover, melatonin application increased the production of both brain‐derived and glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF) in IL‐18‐stimulated NSCs. It was observed that inhibition of BDNF or GDNF hindered the protective effects of melatonin on NSCs. A potentially protective mechanism of melatonin on the inhibition of NSC's differentiation caused IL‐18 may attribute to the up‐regulation of these two major neurotrophic factors, BNDF and GNDF. The findings indicate that melatonin may play an important role promoting the survival of NSCs in neuroinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xingye Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Matthew T V Chan
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - William Ka Kei Wu
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - DunXian Tan
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, Health Science Center, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jianxiong Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Chen H, Li J, Liang S, Lin B, Peng Q, Zhao P, Cui J, Rao Y. Effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway on spinal cord injury in rats. Exp Ther Med 2017; 13:861-866. [PMID: 28450910 PMCID: PMC5403438 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and to investigate the role of the HIF-1/VEGF signaling pathway following spinal cord injury (SCI). A total of 90 12-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: Sham group (operation without SCI); control group (SCI without ML228 treatment); and treatment group (SCI receiving ML228 treatment). ML228 was administered as it is an activator of HIF-1α. The control and treatment groups were subjected to spinal cord hemisection and motor activity was evaluated using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring system. Expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in each injured spinal cord section was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Prior to SCI, there were no significant differences in the BBB score among the three groups (P>0.05). However, one day after the operation, the BBB score of the sham group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (P<0.05) and the BBB scores of the control and treatment groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05). BBB scores 3 and 7 days following surgery were significantly higher in the sham group than the other two groups (P<0.05) and the BBB scores of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins in all groups were measured 1, 3 and 7 days after the operation, and it was observed that their expression was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Therefore, the results of the current study suggest that ML228 may effectively activate the HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway to promote the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins within the injured segment of the spinal cord, which promotes neural functional recovery following SCI in rats. Therefore, treatment with ML228 may be developed as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Shuhan Liang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Bin Lin
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Qi Peng
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Jiawei Cui
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
| | - Yaojian Rao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan, Luoyang, Henan 471002, P.R. China
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29
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Agbay A, Edgar JM, Robinson M, Styan T, Wilson K, Schroll J, Ko J, Khadem Mohtaram N, Jun MBG, Willerth SM. Biomaterial Strategies for Delivering Stem Cells as a Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury. Cells Tissues Organs 2016; 202:42-51. [DOI: 10.1159/000446474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the use of stem cells as a way to treat traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the inhibitory environment present in the injured spinal cord makes it challenging to achieve the survival of these cells along with desired differentiation into the appropriate phenotypes necessary to regain function. Transplanting stem cells along with an instructive biomaterial scaffold can increase cell survival and improve differentiation efficiency. This study reviews the literature discussing different types of instructive biomaterial scaffolds developed for transplanting stem cells into the injured spinal cord. We have chosen to focus specifically on biomaterial scaffolds that direct the differentiation of neural stem cells and pluripotent stem cells since they offer the most promise for producing the cell phenotypes that could restore function after SCI. In terms of biomaterial scaffolds, this article reviews the literature associated with using hydrogels made from natural biomaterials and electrospun scaffolds for differentiating stem cells into neural phenotypes. It then presents new data showing how these different types of scaffolds can be combined for neural tissue engineering applications and provides directions for future studies.
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Shen C, Cheng W, Yu P, Wang L, Zhou L, Zeng L, Yang Q. Resveratrol pretreatment attenuates injury and promotes proliferation of neural stem cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation by upregulating the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in vitro. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:3646-54. [PMID: 27573874 PMCID: PMC5042764 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the use of drugs and other methods for protecting implanted neural stem cells (NSCs) from the adverse environment of injured tissue for successful cell therapy. Resveratrol can modify cardiac stem cells to enhance their survival and differentiation, however, its effect and the mechanism underlying its neuroprotective effect on NSCs following stroke remain to be fully elucidated. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) signaling is important in antioxidative stress, and the role of Nrf-2 signaling in the enhanced neuroprotection of NSCs by resveratrol following stroke also remains to be elucidated. In the present study, NSCs were pretreated with resveratrol prior to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro. The survival, apoptosis and proliferation of the NSCs were assessed using an MTT assay, Hoechst 33258 staining of nuclei and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), level of malondiadehyde (MDA) and content of glutathione (GSH) were determined. The protein expressions levels of Nrf-2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were detected using western blot analysis. It was found that resveratrol markedly enhanced NSC survival and proliferation, decreased apoptosis and the levels of MDA, and increased the activity of SOD and content of GSH in a concentration-dependent manner following OGD/R injury in vitro. In addition, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 were significantly upregulated. These findings suggested that resveratrol attenuated injury and promoted proliferation of the NSCs, at least in part, by upregulating the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 following OGD/R injury in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changbo Shen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Pingping Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Lulin Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Li Zeng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Qin Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
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31
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Wang T, Yuan W, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Zhou X, Ning G, Zhang L, Yao L, Feng S, Kong X. The role of the JAK-STAT pathway in neural stem cells, neural progenitor cells and reactive astrocytes after spinal cord injury. Biomed Rep 2014; 3:141-146. [PMID: 25798237 DOI: 10.3892/br.2014.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with spinal cord injuries can develop severe neurological damage and dysfunction, which is not only induced by primary but also by secondary injuries. As an evolutionarily conserved pathway of eukaryotes, the JAK-STAT pathway is associated with cell growth, survival, development and differentiation; activation of the JAK-STAT pathway has been previously reported in central nervous system injury. The JAK-STAT pathway is directly associated with neurogenesis and glia scar formation in the injury region. Following injury of the axon, the overexpression and activation of STAT3 is exhibited specifically in protecting neurons. To investigate the role of the JAK-STAT pathway in neuroprotection, we summarized the effect of JAK-STAT pathway in the following three sections: Firstly, the modulation of JAK-STAT pathway in proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells is discussed; secondly, the time-dependent effect of JAK-STAT pathway in reactive astrocytes to reveal their capability of neuroprotection is revealed and lastly, we focus on how the astrocyte-secretory polypeptides (astrocyte-derived cytokines and trophic factors) accomplish neuroprotection via the JAK-STAT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China ; Department of Orthopedics, The 266th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chengde, Hebei 067000, P.R. China
| | - Wenqi Yuan
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yanjun Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Capital Medical University Luhe Hospital, Beijing 100000, P.R. China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- Department of Paediatric Internal Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde, Hebei 067000, P.R. China
| | - Xianhu Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Guangzhi Ning
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, P.R. China
| | - Liwei Yao
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Shiqing Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Kong
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, P.R. China
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