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Effects and Mechanisms of Acupuncture Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on Neural Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury: Progress and Prospects. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8890655. [PMID: 33061954 PMCID: PMC7533022 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a structural event with devastating consequences worldwide. Due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of the spinal cord in adults, the neural restoration after SCI is difficult. Acupuncture is effective for SCI-induced neurologic deficits, and the potential mechanisms responsible for its effects involve neural protection by the inhibition of inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis. Moreover, acupuncture promotes neural regeneration and axon sprouting by activating multiple cellular signal transduction pathways, such as the Wnt, Notch, and Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathways. Several studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of combining acupuncture with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is superior to either procedure alone. The advantage of the combined treatment is dependent on the ability of acupuncture to enhance the survival of MSCs, promote their differentiation into neurons, and facilitate targeted migration of MSCs to the spinal cord. Additionally, the differentiation of MSCs into neurons overcomes the problem of the shortage of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the acupuncture-treated SCI patients. Therefore, the combination of acupuncture and MSCs transplantation could become a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of SCI. Such a possibility needs to be verified by basic and clinical research.
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Li G, Fan ZK, Gu GF, Jia ZQ, Zhang QQ, Dai JY, He SS. Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation Promotes Motor Functional Recovery by Enhancing Oligodendrocyte Survival and Differentiation and by Protecting Myelin after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Neurosci Bull 2019; 36:372-384. [PMID: 31732865 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-019-00442-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) markedly improves motor and sensory function after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated whether ESCS affects oligodendrocyte differentiation and its cellular and molecular mechanisms in rats with SCI. ESCS improved hindlimb motor function at 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days after SCI. ESCS also significantly increased the myelinated area at 28 days, and reduced the number of apoptotic cells in the spinal white matter at 7 days. SCI decreased the expression of 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase, an oligodendrocyte marker) at 7 days and that of myelin basic protein at 28 days. ESCS significantly upregulated these markers and increased the percentage of Sox2/CNPase/DAPI-positive cells (newly differentiated oligodendrocytes) at 7 days. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 4 (rhBMP4) markedly downregulated these factors after ESCS. Furthermore, ESCS significantly decreased BMP4 and p-Smad1/5/9 expression after SCI, and rhBMP4 reduced this effect of ESCS. These findings indicate that ESCS enhances the survival and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, protects myelin, and promotes motor functional recovery by inhibiting the BMP4-Smad1/5/9 signaling pathway after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Spinal Pain Research Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Zhong-Kai Fan
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Guang-Fei Gu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
- Spinal Pain Research Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Jia
- Department of Spinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Qiang-Qiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Jun-Yu Dai
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Shi-Sheng He
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
- Spinal Pain Research Institute, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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Xu J, Cheng S, Jiao Z, Zhao Z, Cai Z, Su N, Liu B, Zhou Z, Li Y. Fire Needle Acupuncture Regulates Wnt/ERK Multiple Pathways to Promote Neural Stem Cells to Differentiate into Neurons in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2019; 18:245-255. [PMID: 30714534 PMCID: PMC6806613 DOI: 10.2174/1871527318666190204111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE NSCs therapy is considered one of the most potential methods for spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS We build the SCI model rats to investigate the therapeutic effect of fire needle acupuncture in improving the locomotor function of SCI rats and its possible mechanism. BBB scale was used for the motor ability of rats. The expression of Nestin, NSE, Gal-C, and GFAP was detected by immunohistochemistry. Wnt, GSK3β, β-catenin, ERK1/2, CyclinD1, and ngn1 were detected by western blot and PCR. The BBB score of both model group (1.20±0.94, 3.12±0.67, 5.34±1.57, 7.12±1.49) and fire needle group (1.70±0.58, 4.50±1.63, 7.53±2.41, 9.24±0.63) gradually increased after SCI. Furthermore, at d10 and d14, the fire needle group showed a significantly high score compared with that in model group at the same time (P<0.05). Fire needle increased Nestin, NSE, and Gal-C expression inhibited GFAP expression after SCI. Also, fire needle could up-regulate Wnt3a, GSK3β, β-catenin, and ngn1, and down-regulate ERK1/2, cyclinD1 gene and protein expression. CONCLUSION In conclusion, fire needle could improve lower limb locomotor function of SCI rats. Also, fire needles could promote endogenous NSCs proliferation differentiating into neurons, and the mechanism might be mediated by promoting the activation of Wnt/β-catenin and inhibiting the overexpression of ERK.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhen Zhou
- Address correspondence to these authors at the Tianjin Gongan Hospital, No. 78 Nanjing Road, Heping District, Tianjin, China; Phone/Fax: +86-022-23142735; ; The Second Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, NO. 69 Zengchan Road, Hebei District, Tianjin, China; E-mail:
| | - Yan Li
- Address correspondence to these authors at the Tianjin Gongan Hospital, No. 78 Nanjing Road, Heping District, Tianjin, China; Phone/Fax: +86-022-23142735; ; The Second Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, NO. 69 Zengchan Road, Hebei District, Tianjin, China; E-mail:
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Fan B, Wei Z, Yao X, Shi G, Cheng X, Zhou X, Zhou H, Ning G, Kong X, Feng S. Microenvironment Imbalance of Spinal Cord Injury. Cell Transplant 2018; 27:853-866. [PMID: 29871522 PMCID: PMC6050904 DOI: 10.1177/0963689718755778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 278] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI), for which there currently is no cure, is a heavy burden on
patient physiology and psychology. The microenvironment of the injured spinal cord is
complicated. According to our previous work and the advancements in SCI research,
‘microenvironment imbalance’ is the main cause of the poor regeneration and recovery of
SCI. Microenvironment imbalance is defined as an increase in inhibitory factors and
decrease in promoting factors for tissues, cells and molecules at different times and
spaces. There are imbalance of hemorrhage and ischemia, glial scar formation,
demyelination and re-myelination at the tissue’s level. The cellular level imbalance
involves an imbalance in the differentiation of endogenous stem cells and the
transformation phenotypes of microglia and macrophages. The molecular level includes an
imbalance of neurotrophic factors and their pro-peptides, cytokines, and chemokines. The
imbalanced microenvironment of the spinal cord impairs regeneration and functional
recovery. This review will aid in the understanding of the pathological processes involved
in and the development of comprehensive treatments for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyou Fan
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhijian Wei
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xue Yao
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Guidong Shi
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xianhu Zhou
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hengxing Zhou
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Guangzhi Ning
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohong Kong
- 2 Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiqing Feng
- 1 National Spinal Cord Injury International Cooperation Base, Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Wei Z, Zhao W, Schachner M. Electroacupuncture Restores Locomotor Functions After Mouse Spinal Cord Injury in Correlation With Reduction of PTEN and p53 Expression. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:411. [PMID: 30505267 PMCID: PMC6250832 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: We previously showed that electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiaji points promotes expression of adhesion molecule L1 in spinal cord tissue after mouse spinal cord injury (SCI) and contributes to recovery of neural functions. Objective: We investigated the effects of EA on downstream signaling molecules of L1 and molecules relevant to apoptosis with the aim to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were divided into a sham group, injury group, injury+acupuncture (AP) group and injury+EA group. We investigated the changes in cognate L1-triggered signaling molecules after SCI by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblot analysis. Results: Protein levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and p53 were decreased by EA at different time points after injury, whereas the levels of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (pmTOR), p-Akt and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulatedkinase (p-Erk) were increased. Also, levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) were increased by EA. AP alone showed less pronounced changes in expression of the investigated molecules, when compared to EA. Conclusion: We propose that EA contributes to neuroprotection by inhibiting PTEN and p53 expression and by increasing the levels of pmTOR/Akt/Erk and of MBP after SCI. These observations allow novel insights into the beneficial effects of EA via L1-triggered signaling molecules after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wei
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Lishui University, Lishui, China
| | - Weijiang Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Melitta Schachner
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- *Correspondence: Melitta Schachner
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