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Zeng X, Wei QS, Ye JC, Rao JH, Zheng MG, Ma YH, Peng LZ, Ding Y, Lai BQ, Li G, Cheng SX, Ling EA, Han I, Zeng YS. A biocompatible gelatin sponge scaffold confers robust tissue remodeling after spinal cord injury in a non-human primate model. Biomaterials 2023; 299:122161. [PMID: 37236138 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We previously constructed a three-dimensional gelatin sponge (3D-GS) scaffold as a delivery vehicle for therapeutic cells and trophic factors in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), and this study aimed to assess the biosafety and efficacy of the scaffold in a non-human primate SCI model. However, because it has only been tested in rodent and canine models, the biosafety and efficacy of the scaffold should ideally be assessed in a non-human primate SCI model before its use in the clinic. No adverse reactions were observed over 8 weeks following 3D-GS scaffold implantation into in a Macaca fascicularis with hemisected SCI. Scaffold implantation also did not add to neuroinflammatory or astroglial responses already present at the injured site, suggesting good biocompatibility. Notably, there was a significant reduction in α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive cells at the injury/implantation interface, leading to alleviation of fibrotic compression of the residual spinal cord tissue. The regenerating tissue in the scaffold showed numerous cells migrating into the implant secreting abundant extracellular matrix, resulting in a pro-regenerative microenvironment. Consequently, nerve fiber regeneration, myelination, vascularization, neurogenesis, and electrophysiological improvements were achieved. These results indicated that the 3D-GS scaffold had good histocompatibility and effectiveness in the structural repair of injured spinal cord tissue in a non-human primate and is suitable for use in the treatment of patients with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Lab of Stem Cell Biology and Innovative Research of Chinese Medicine; National Institute for Stem Cell Clinical Research, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine/The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Qing-Shuai Wei
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ji-Chao Ye
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jun-Hua Rao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510260, China
| | - Mei-Guang Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Li-Zhi Peng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shi-Xiang Cheng
- Healthina Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (HAB-TEDA) and XinCheng Hospital of Tianjin University, Tianjin, 301999, China
| | - Eng-Ang Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Inbo Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHA University, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Liu JL, Wang S, Chen ZH, Wu RJ, Yu HY, Yang SB, Xu J, Guo YN, Ding Y, Li G, Zeng X, Ma YH, Gong YL, Wu CR, Zhang LX, Zeng YS, Lai BQ. The therapeutic mechanism of transcranial iTBS on nerve regeneration and functional recovery in rats with complete spinal cord transection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1153516. [PMID: 37388732 PMCID: PMC10306419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1153516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After spinal cord transection injury, the inflammatory microenvironment formed at the injury site, and the cascade of effects generated by secondary injury, results in limited regeneration of injured axons and the apoptosis of neurons in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC). It is crucial to reverse these adverse processes for the recovery of voluntary movement. The mechanism of transcranial intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) as a new non-invasive neural regulation paradigm in promoting axonal regeneration and motor function repair was explored by means of a severe spinal cord transection. Methods Rats underwent spinal cord transection and 2 mm resection of spinal cord at T10 level. Four groups were studied: Normal (no lesion), Control (lesion with no treatment), sham iTBS (lesion and no functional treatment) and experimental, exposed to transcranial iTBS, 72 h after spinal lesion. Each rat received treatment once a day for 5 days a week; behavioral tests were administered one a week. Inflammation, neuronal apoptosis, neuroprotective effects, regeneration and synaptic plasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI) were determined by immunofluorescence staining, western blotting and mRNA sequencing. For each rat, anterograde tracings were acquired from the SMC or the long descending propriospinal neurons and tested for cortical motor evoked potentials (CMEPs). Regeneration of the corticospinal tract (CST) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) nerve fibers were analyzed 10 weeks after SCI. Results When compared to the Control group, the iTBS group showed a reduced inflammatory response and reduced levels of neuronal apoptosis in the SMC when tested 2 weeks after treatment. Four weeks after SCI, the neuroimmune microenvironment at the injury site had improved in the iTBS group, and neuroprotective effects were evident, including the promotion of axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity. After 8 weeks of iTBS treatment, there was a significant increase in CST regeneration in the region rostral to the site of injury. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the number of 5-HT nerve fibers at the center of the injury site and the long descending propriospinal tract (LDPT) fibers in the region caudal to the site of injury. Moreover, CMEPs and hindlimb motor function were significantly improved. Conclusion Neuronal activation and neural tracing further verified that iTBS had the potential to provide neuroprotective effects during the early stages of SCI and induce regeneration effects related to the descending motor pathways (CST, 5-HT and LDPT). Furthermore, our results revealed key relationships between neural pathway activation, neuroimmune regulation, neuroprotection and axonal regeneration, as well as the interaction network of key genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Rehabilitation Center, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Chen
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rong-Jie Wu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Yang Yu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shang-Bin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi-Nan Guo
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangzhou Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Lai Gong
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuang-Ran Wu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Xin Zhang
- Rehabilitation Center, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Lai BQ, Wu RJ, Han WT, Bai YR, Liu JL, Yu HY, Yang SB, Wang LJ, Ren JL, Ding Y, Li G, Zeng X, Ma YH, Quan Q, Xing LY, Jiang B, Wang YQ, Zhang L, Chen ZH, Zhang HB, Chen YF, Zheng QJ, Zeng YS. Tail nerve electrical stimulation promoted the efficiency of transplanted spinal cord-like tissue as a neuronal relay to repair the motor function of rats with transected spinal cord injury. Biomaterials 2023; 297:122103. [PMID: 37028111 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Following transected spinal cord injury (SCI), there is a critical need to restore nerve conduction at the injury site and activate the silent neural circuits caudal to the injury to promote the recovery of voluntary movement. In this study, we generated a rat model of SCI, constructed neural stem cell (NSC)-derived spinal cord-like tissue (SCLT), and evaluated its ability to replace injured spinal cord and repair nerve conduction in the spinal cord as a neuronal relay. The lumbosacral spinal cord was further activated with tail nerve electrical stimulation (TNES) as a synergistic electrical stimulation to better receive the neural information transmitted by the SCLT. Next, we investigated the neuromodulatory mechanism underlying the action of TNES and its synergism with SCLT in SCI repair. TNES promoted the regeneration and remyelination of axons and increased the proportion of glutamatergic neurons in SCLT to transmit brain-derived neural information more efficiently to the caudal spinal cord. TNES also increased the innervation of motor neurons to hindlimb muscle and improved the microenvironment of muscle tissue, resulting in effective prevention of hindlimb muscle atrophy and enhanced muscle mitochondrial energy metabolism. Tracing of the neural circuits of the sciatic nerve and tail nerve identified the mechanisms responsible for the synergistic effects of SCLT transplantation and TNES in activating central pattern generator (CPG) neural circuits and promoting voluntary motor function recovery in rats. The combination of SCLT and TNES is expected to provide a new breakthrough for patients with SCI to restore voluntary movement and control their muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Rong-Jie Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China; Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Wei-Tao Han
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yu-Rong Bai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hai-Yang Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China
| | - Shang-Bin Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Le Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, 510100, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Guangzhou Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510180, China
| | - Qi Quan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma & War Injuries PLA, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, the 4th Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Ling-Yan Xing
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Wang
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hong-Bo Zhang
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yuan-Feng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China.
| | - Qiu-Jian Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510100, China.
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510800, China.
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Xiao X, Deng Q, Zeng X, Lai BQ, Ma YH, Li G, Zeng YS, Ding Y. Transcription Profiling of a Revealed the Potential Molecular Mechanism of Governor Vessel Electroacupuncture for Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Neurospine 2022; 19:757-769. [PMID: 36203300 PMCID: PMC9537832 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2244452.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by transcriptome analysis to elucidate a potential mechanism by which governor vessel electroacupuncture (GV-EA) promotes neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery after complete transection spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS Sham, control, or GV-EA group adult female Sprague Dawley rats underwent a complete transection SCI protocol. SCI area RNA-seq investigated the DEGs of coding and noncoding RNAs 7 days post-SCI. Gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to classify DEGs functions, to explain a possible molecular mechanism. Immunofluorescence and BBB (Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan) score were used to verify a GV-EA treatment effect following SCI. RESULTS GV-EA treatment could regulate the expression of 173 mRNA, 260 lncRNA, and 153 circRNA genes among these DEGs resulted by SCI. GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were most enriched in membrane, actin binding, and regulation of Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. KEGG pathway analysis showed enriched pathways (e.g. , Toll-like receptors, MAPK, Hippo signaling). According to the ceRNA network, miR-144-3p played a regulatory role by interacting with lncRNA and circRNA. GV-EA also promoted the injured spinal cord neuron survival, axonal regeneration, and functional improvement of hind limb locomotion. CONCLUSION Results of our RNA-seq suggest that post-SCI GV-EA may regulate characteristic changes in transcriptome gene expression, potential critical genes, and signaling pathways, providing clear directions for further investigation into the mechanism of GV-EA in subacute SCI treatment. Moreover, we found that GV-EA promotes neuronal survival, nerve fiber extension, and motor function recovery in subacute SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingru Xiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingwen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Guangzhou Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Medical Research Center, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China,Corresponding Author Ying Ding Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, 74# Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Zeng YS, Ding Y, Xu HY, Zeng X, Lai BQ, Li G, Ma YH. Electro-acupuncture and its combination with adult stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury treatment: A summary of current laboratory findings and a review of literature. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:635-647. [PMID: 35174644 PMCID: PMC8981476 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and disability rate of spinal cord injury (SCI) worldwide are high, imposing a heavy burden on patients. Considerable research efforts have been directed toward identifying new strategies to effectively treat SCI. Governor Vessel electro‐acupuncture (GV‐EA), used in traditional Chinese medicine, combines acupuncture with modern electrical stimulation. It has been shown to improve the microenvironment of injured spinal cord (SC) by increasing levels of endogenous neurotrophic factors and reducing inflammation, thereby protecting injured neurons and promoting myelination. In addition, axons extending from transplanted stem cell‐derived neurons can potentially bridge the two severed ends of tissues in a transected SC to rebuild neuronal circuits and restore motor and sensory functions. However, every single treatment approach to severe SCI has proven unsatisfactory. Combining different treatments—for example, electro‐acupuncture (EA) with adult stem cell transplantation—appears to be a more promising strategy. In this review, we have summarized the recent progress over the past two decades by our team especially in the use of GV‐EA for the repair of SCI. By this strategy, we have shown that EA can stimulate the nerve endings of the meningeal branch. This would elicit the dorsal root ganglion neurons to secrete excess amounts of calcitonin gene‐related peptide centrally in the SC. The neuropeptide then activates the local cells to secrete neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), which mediates the survival and differentiation of donor stem cells overexpressing the NT‐3 receptor, at the injury/graft site of the SC. Increased local production of NT‐3 facilitates reconstruction of host neural tissue such as nerve fiber regeneration and myelination. All this events in sequence would ultimately strengthen the cortical motor‐evoked potentials and restore the motor function of paralyzed limbs. The information presented herein provides a basis for future studies on the clinical application of GV‐EA and adult stem cell transplantation for the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hao-Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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6
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Lai BQ, Bai YR, Han WT, Zhang B, Liu S, Sun JH, Liu JL, Li G, Zeng X, Ding Y, Ma YH, Zhang L, Chen ZH, Wang J, Xiong Y, Wu JH, Quan Q, Xing LY, Zhang HB, Zeng YS. Construction of a niche-specific spinal white matter-like tissue to promote directional axon regeneration and myelination for rat spinal cord injury repair. Bioact Mater 2021; 11:15-31. [PMID: 34938909 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Directional axon regeneration and remyelination are crucial for repair of spinal cord injury (SCI), but existing treatments do not effectively promote those processes. Here, we propose a strategy for construction of niche-specific spinal white matter-like tissue (WMLT) using decellularized optic nerve (DON) loaded with neurotrophin-3 (NT-3)-overexpressing oligodendrocyte precursor cells. A rat model with a white matter defect in the dorsal spinal cord of the T10 segment was used. The WMLT transplantation group showed significant improvement in coordinated motor functions compared with the control groups. WMLT transplants integrated well with host spinal cord white matter, effectively addressing several barriers to directional axonal regeneration and myelination during SCI repair. In WMLT, laminin was found to promote development of oligodendroglial lineage (OL) cells by binding to laminin receptors. Interestingly, laminin could also guide linear axon regeneration via interactions with specific integrins on the axon surface. The WMLT developed here utilizes the unique microstructure and bioactive matrix of DON to create a niche rich in laminin, NT-3 and OL cells to achieve significant structural repair of SCI. Our protocol can help to promote research on repair of nerve injury and construction of neural tissues and organoids that form specific cell niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-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
| | - Yu-Rong Bai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei-Tao Han
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bao Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Jia-Hui Sun
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Physiotherapy Department, Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Xiong
- Physiotherapy Department, Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Hua Wu
- Physiotherapy Department, Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Quan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma &War Injuries PLA, Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, The 4th Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ling-Yan Xing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hong-Bo Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, SunYat-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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7
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Ma YH, Shi HJ, Wei QS, Deng QW, Sun JH, Liu Z, Lai BQ, Li G, Ding Y, Niu WT, Zeng YS, Zeng X. Developing a mechanically matched decellularized spinal cord scaffold for the in situ matrix-based neural repair of spinal cord injury. Biomaterials 2021; 279:121192. [PMID: 34700225 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineering is a promising strategy to repair spinal cord injury (SCI). However, a bioscaffold with mechanical properties that match those of the pathological spinal cord tissue and a pro-regenerative matrix that allows robust neurogenesis for overcoming post-SCI scar formation has yet to be developed. Here, we report that a mechanically enhanced decellularized spinal cord (DSC) scaffold with a thin poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) outer shell may fulfill the requirements for effective in situ neuroengineering after SCI. Using chemical extraction and electrospinning methods, we successfully constructed PLGA thin shell-ensheathed DSC scaffolds (PLGA-DSC scaffolds) in a way that removed major inhibitory components while preserving the permissive matrix. The DSCs exhibited good cytocompatibility with neural stem cells (NSCs) and significantly enhanced their differentiation toward neurons in vitro. Due to the mechanical reinforcement, the implanted PLGA-DSC scaffolds showed markedly increased resilience to infiltration by myofibroblasts and the deposition of dense collagen matrix, thereby creating a neurogenic niche favorable for the targeted migration, residence and neuronal differentiation of endogenous NSCs after SCI. Furthermore, PLGA-DSC presented a mild immunogenic property but prominent ability to polarize macrophages from the M1 phenotype to the M2 phenotype, leading to significant tissue regeneration and functional restoration after SCI. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the mechanically matched PLGA-DSC scaffolds show promise for effective tissue repair after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Huan Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiocerebral Diseases, Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524023, China; Guangzhou Institute of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510180, PR China
| | - Hui-Juan Shi
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Qing-Shuai Wei
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Qing-Wen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Hui Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Age-Related Cardiocerebral Diseases, Institute of Neurology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, 524023, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China
| | - Wan-Ting Niu
- Department of Orthopedics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510120, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510080, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510120, China.
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8
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Lai BQ, Zeng X, Han WT, Che MT, Ding Y, Li G, Zeng YS. Stem cell-derived neuronal relay strategies and functional electrical stimulation for treatment of spinal cord injury. Biomaterials 2021; 279:121211. [PMID: 34710795 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The inability of adult mammals to recover function lost after severe spinal cord injury (SCI) has been known for millennia and is mainly attributed to a failure of brain-derived nerve fiber regeneration across the lesion. Potential approaches to re-establishing locomotor function rely on neuronal relays to reconnect the segregated neural networks of the spinal cord. Intense research over the past 30 years has focused on endogenous and exogenous neuronal relays, but progress has been slow and the results often controversial. Treatments with stem cell-derived neuronal relays alone or together with functional electrical stimulation offer the possibility of improved repair of neuronal networks. In this review, we focus on approaches to recovery of motor function in paralyzed patients after severe SCI based on novel therapies such as implantation of stem cell-derived neuronal relays and functional electrical stimulation. Recent research progress offers hope that SCI patients will one day be able to recover motor function and sensory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Wei-Tao Han
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ming-Tian Che
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, 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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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: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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10
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Yang Y, Xu HY, Deng QW, Wu GH, Zeng X, Jin H, Wang LJ, Lai BQ, Li G, Ma YH, Jiang B, Ruan JW, Wang YQ, Ding Y, Zeng YS. Electroacupuncture facilitates the integration of a grafted TrkC-modified mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural network into transected spinal cord in rats via increasing neurotrophin-3. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:776-791. [PMID: 33763978 PMCID: PMC8193704 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims This study was aimed to investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) would increase the secretion of neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) from injured spinal cord tissue, and, if so, whether the increased NT‐3 would promote the survival, differentiation, and migration of grafted tyrosine kinase C (TrkC)‐modified mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐derived neural network cells. We next sought to determine if the latter would integrate with the host spinal cord neural circuit to improve the neurological function of injured spinal cord. Methods After NT‐3‐modified Schwann cells (SCs) and TrkC‐modified MSCs were co‐cultured in a gelatin sponge scaffold for 14 days, the MSCs differentiated into neuron‐like cells that formed a MSC‐derived neural network (MN) implant. On this basis, we combined the MN implantation with EA in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI) and performed immunohistochemical staining, neural tracing, electrophysiology, and behavioral testing after 8 weeks. Results Electroacupuncture application enhanced the production of endogenous NT‐3 in damaged spinal cord tissues. The increase in local NT‐3 production promoted the survival, migration, and maintenance of the grafted MN, which expressed NT‐3 high‐affinity TrkC. The combination of MN implantation and EA application improved cortical motor‐evoked potential relay and facilitated the locomotor performance of the paralyzed hindlimb compared with those of controls. These results suggest that the MN was better integrated into the host spinal cord neural network after EA treatment compared with control treatment. Conclusions Electroacupuncture as an adjuvant therapy for TrkC‐modified MSC‐derived MN, acted by increasing the local production of NT‐3, which accelerated neural network reconstruction and restoration of spinal cord function following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao-Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Wen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guo-Hui Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Wen Ruan
- Department of Acupuncture, The 1st Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya-Qiong Wang
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Bai YR, Lai BQ, Han WT, Sun JH, Li G, Ding Y, Zeng X, Ma YH, Zeng YS. Decellularized optic nerve functional scaffold transplant facilitates directional axon regeneration and remyelination in the injured white matter of the rat spinal cord. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:2276-2283. [PMID: 33818513 PMCID: PMC8354131 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.310696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Axon regeneration and remyelination of the damaged region is the most common repair strategy for spinal cord injury. However, achieving good outcome remains difficult. Our previous study showed that porcine decellularized optic nerve better mimics the extracellular matrix of the embryonic porcine optic nerve and promotes the directional growth of dorsal root ganglion neurites. However, it has not been reported whether this material promotes axonal regeneration in vivo. In the present study, a porcine decellularized optic nerve was seeded with neurotrophin-3-overexpressing Schwann cells. This functional scaffold promoted the directional growth and remyelination of regenerating axons. In vitro, the porcine decellularized optic nerve contained many straight, longitudinal channels with a uniform distribution, and microscopic pores were present in the channel wall. The spatial micro topological structure and extracellular matrix were conducive to the adhesion, survival and migration of neural stem cells. The scaffold promoted the directional growth of dorsal root ganglion neurites, and showed strong potential for myelin regeneration. Furthermore, we transplanted the porcine decellularized optic nerve containing neurotrophin-3-overexpressing Schwann cells in a rat model of T10 spinal cord defect in vivo. Four weeks later, the regenerating axons grew straight, the myelin sheath in the injured/transplanted area recovered its structure, and simultaneously, the number of inflammatory cells and the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans were reduced. Together, these findings suggest that porcine decellularized optic nerve loaded with Schwann cells overexpressing neurotrophin-3 promotes the directional growth of regenerating spinal cord axons as well as myelin regeneration. All procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Sun Yat-sen University (approval No. SYSU-IACUC-2019-B034) on February 28, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Bai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Tao Han
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jia-Hui Sun
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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12
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Jin H, Zhang YT, Yang Y, Wen LY, Wang JH, Xu HY, Lai BQ, Feng B, Che MT, Qiu XC, Li ZL, Wang LJ, Ruan JW, Jiang B, Zeng X, Deng QW, Li G, Ding Y, Zeng YS. Electroacupuncture Facilitates the Integration of Neural Stem Cell-Derived Neural Network with Transected Rat Spinal Cord. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:274-289. [PMID: 30661994 PMCID: PMC6373172 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hostile environment of an injured spinal cord makes it challenging to achieve higher viability in a grafted tissue-engineered neural network used to reconstruct the spinal cord circuit. Here, we investigate whether cell survival and synaptic transmission within an NT-3 and TRKC gene-overexpressing neural stem cell-derived neural network scaffold (NN) transplanted into transected spinal cord could be promoted by electroacupuncture (EA) through improving the microenvironment. Our results showed that EA facilitated the cell survival, neuronal differentiation, and synapse formation of a transplanted NN. Pseudorabies virus tracing demonstrated that EA strengthened synaptic integration of the transplanted NN with the host neural circuit. The combination therapy also promoted axonal regeneration, spinal conductivity, and functional recovery. The findings highlight EA as a potential and safe supplementary therapeutic strategy to reinforce the survival and synaptogenesis of a transplanted NN as a neuronal relay to bridge the two severed ends of an injured spinal cord. EA promotes the survival and synapse formation of NSC-derived neurons in grafted NN EA strengthens synaptic integration of grafted NN with the spinal cord neural circuit EA enhances NT-3 level and activates NT-3/TRKC/AKT pathway in the injury/graft site The combination therapy increases axonal regeneration and spinal functional recovery
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yu-Ting Zhang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine of Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, Guangdong 528300, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lan-Yu Wen
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jun-Hua Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hao-Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bo Feng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ming-Tian Che
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xue-Cheng Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Li
- Department of Acupuncture, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing-Wen Ruan
- Department of Acupuncture, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qing-Wen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- 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.
| | - 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; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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13
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Li G, Che MT, Zeng X, Qiu XC, Feng B, Lai BQ, Shen HY, Ling EA, Zeng YS. Neurotrophin-3 released from implant of tissue-engineered fibroin scaffolds inhibits inflammation, enhances nerve fiber regeneration, and improves motor function in canine spinal cord injury. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 106:2158-2170. [PMID: 29577604 PMCID: PMC6055812 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) normally results in cell death, scarring, cavitation, inhibitory molecules release, etc., which are regarded as a huge obstacle to reconnect the injured neuronal circuits because of the lack of effective stimulus. In this study, a functional gelatin sponge scaffold was used to inhibit local inflammation, enhance nerve fiber regeneration, and improve neural conduction in the canine. This scaffold had good porosity and modified with neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3)/fibroin complex, which showed sustained release in vitro. After the scaffold was transplanted into canine spinal cord hemisection model, hindlimb movement, and neural conduction were improved evidently. Migrating host cells, newly formed neurons with associated synaptic structures together with functional blood vessels with intact endothelium in the regenerating tissue were identified. Taken together, the results demonstrated that using bioactive scaffold could establish effective microenvironment stimuli for endogenous regeneration, providing a potential and practical strategy for treatment of spinal cord injury. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2158‐2170, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Li
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Ming-Tian Che
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xue-Cheng Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bo Feng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hui-Yong Shen
- Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Eng-Ang Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117594, Singapore
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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14
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Lai BQ, Che MT, Du BL, Zeng X, Ma YH, Feng B, Qiu XC, Zhang K, Liu S, Shen HY, Wu JL, Ling EA, Zeng YS. Transplantation of tissue engineering neural network and formation of neuronal relay into the transected rat spinal cord. Biomaterials 2016; 109:40-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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15
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Lin XY, Lai BQ, Zeng X, Che MT, Ling EA, Wu W, Zeng YS. Cell Transplantation and Neuroengineering Approach for Spinal Cord Injury Treatment: A Summary of Current Laboratory Findings and Review of Literature. Cell Transplant 2016; 25:1425-38. [DOI: 10.3727/096368916x690836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe traumatic injury to the central nervous system (CNS). Current therapeutic effects achieved for SCI in clinical medicine show that there is still a long way to go to reach the desired goal of full or significant functional recovery. In basic medical research, however, cell transplantation, gene therapy, application of cytokines, and biomaterial scaffolds have been widely used and investigated as treatments for SCI. All of these strategies when used separately would help rebuild, to some extent, the neural circuits in the lesion area of the spinal cord. In light of this, it is generally accepted that a combined treatment may be a more effective strategy. This review focuses primarily on our recent series of work on transplantation of Schwann cells and adult stem cells, and transplantation of stem cell-derived neural network scaffolds with functional synapses. Arising from this, an artificial neural network (an exogenous neuronal relay) has been designed and fabricated by us—a biomaterial scaffold implanted with Schwann cells modified by the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene and adult stem cells modified with the TrkC (receptor of NT-3) gene. More importantly, experimental evidence suggests that the novel artificial network can integrate with the host tissue and serve as an exogenous neuronal relay for signal transfer and functional improvement of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yi Lin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming-Tian Che
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Eng-Ang Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wutian Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Jinan University–Hong Kong University Joint Laboratory, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Chen J, Ju HL, Yuan XY, Wang TJ, Lai BQ. SOX4 is a potential prognostic factor in human cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Transl Oncol 2015; 18:65-72. [PMID: 26250764 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-015-1337-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the this study was to analyze the status of sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group box 4 (SOX4) expression in varied human cancers and its correlation with overall survival in patients with human cancers. METHODS To observe initially the expression status of SOX4 in twenty kinds of human cancers at protein database (The Human Protein Atlas). We systematically and carefully searched the studies from electronic databases and seriously identified according to eligibility criteria. The correlation between SOX4 expression and overall survival in human cancers was evaluated through Review Manager. RESULTS We found that SOX4 expression was significantly positive in most types of human cancer tissues, and the positive rate of SOX4 expression was about 78 % in overall cancer tissues. Furthermore, a total of 10 studies which included 1348 cancer patients were included in the final analysis. Meta-analysis showed that SOX4 overexpression was correlated with a poor overall survival and the pooled hazard ratio (HR), and corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) was 1.67 (95 % CI 1.01-2.78). From subgroup analyses, we present evidence that SOX4 overexpression was an unfavorable prognostic factor for colorectal cancer patients' recurrence-free survival and gastric cancer patients' overall survival, and the pooled HRs (95 % CI) were 1.73 (95 % CI 1.04-2.88) and 3.74 (95 % CI 1.04-13.45), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In summary, SOX4 is a potential prognostic biomarker in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery, The Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Province, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China
| | - H L Ju
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery, The Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Province, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China
| | - X Y Yuan
- Department of Stomatology, The Jiaotong Hospital of Shanxi Province, Xi'an, 710068, Shanxi, China
| | - T J Wang
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgery, The Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Province, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China
| | - B Q Lai
- Intensive Care Unit, The Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Province, No. 309 Yanta Road West, Xi'an, 710061, Shanxi, China.
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17
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Qiu XC, Jin H, Zhang RY, Ding Y, Zeng X, Lai BQ, Ling EA, Wu JL, Zeng YS. Donor mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural-like cells transdifferentiate into myelin-forming cells and promote axon regeneration in rat spinal cord transection. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:105. [PMID: 26012641 PMCID: PMC4482203 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0100-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Severe spinal cord injury often causes temporary or permanent damages in strength, sensation, or autonomic functions below the site of the injury. So far, there is still no effective treatment for spinal cord injury. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to repair injured spinal cord as an effective strategy. However, the low neural differentiation frequency of MSCs has limited its application. The present study attempted to explore whether the grafted MSC-derived neural-like cells in a gelatin sponge (GS) scaffold could maintain neural features or transdifferentiate into myelin-forming cells in the transected spinal cord. Methods We constructed an engineered tissue by co-seeding of MSCs with genetically enhanced expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its high-affinity receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC) separately into a three-dimensional GS scaffold to promote the MSCs differentiating into neural-like cells and transplanted it into the gap of a completely transected rat spinal cord. The rats received extensive post-operation care, including cyclosporin A administrated once daily for 2 months. Results MSCs modified genetically could differentiate into neural-like cells in the MN + MT (NT-3-MSCs + TrKC-MSCs) group 14 days after culture in the GS scaffold. However, after the MSC-derived neural-like cells were transplanted into the injury site of spinal cord, some of them appeared to lose the neural phenotypes and instead transdifferentiated into myelin-forming cells at 8 weeks. In the latter, the MSC-derived myelin-forming cells established myelin sheaths associated with the host regenerating axons. And the injured host neurons were rescued, and axon regeneration was induced by grafted MSCs modified genetically. In addition, the cortical motor evoked potential and hindlimb locomotion were significantly ameliorated in the rat spinal cord transected in the MN + MT group compared with the GS and MSC groups. Conclusion Grafted MSC-derived neural-like cells in the GS scaffold can transdifferentiate into myelin-forming cells in the completely transected rat spinal cord. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-015-0100-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Cheng Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Rong-Yi Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, 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.
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Eng-Ang Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
| | - Jin-Lang Wu
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, 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.
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Du BL, Zeng X, Ma YH, Lai BQ, Wang JM, Ling EA, Wu JL, Zeng YS. Graft of the gelatin sponge scaffold containing genetically-modified neural stem cells promotes cell differentiation, axon regeneration, and functional recovery in rat with spinal cord transection. J Biomed Mater Res A 2014; 103:1533-45. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Ling Du
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education; Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Yuan-Huan Ma
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education; Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education; Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Jun-Mei Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Eng-Ang Ling
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; National University of Singapore; Singapore Singapore
| | - Jin-Lang Wu
- Department of Electron Microscope, Zhongshan School of Medicine; Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Ministry of Education; Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangzhou Guangdong China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration; Nantong Jiangsu China
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Lai BQ, Wang JM, Ling EA, Wu JL, Zeng YS. Graft of a tissue-engineered neural scaffold serves as a promising strategy to restore myelination after rat spinal cord transection. Stem Cells Dev 2014; 23:910-21. [PMID: 24325427 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Remyelination remains a challenging issue in spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present study, we cocultured Schwann cells (SCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) with overexpression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its high affinity receptor tyrosine kinase receptor type 3 (TrkC), respectively, in a gelatin sponge (GS) scaffold. This was aimed to generate a tissue-engineered neural scaffold and to investigate whether it could enhance myelination after a complete T10 spinal cord transection in adult rats. Indeed, many NT-3 overexpressing SCs (NT-3-SCs) in the GS scaffold assumed the formation of myelin. More strikingly, a higher incidence of NSCs overexpressing TrkC differentiating toward myelinating cells was induced by NT-3-SCs. By transmission electron microscopy, the myelin sheath showed distinct multilayered lamellae formed by the seeded cells. Eighth week after the scaffold was transplanted, some myelin basic protein (MBP)-positive processes were observed within the transplantation area. Remarkably, certain segments of myelin derived from NSC-derived myelinating cells and NT-3-SCs were found to ensheath axons. In conclusion, we show here that transplantation of the GS scaffold promotes exogenous NSC-derived myelinating cells and SCs to form myelins in the injury/transplantation area of spinal cord. These findings thus provide a neurohistological basis for the future application or transplantation using GS neural scaffold to repair SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bi-Qin Lai
- 1 Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou, China
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Lai BQ, Wang JM, Duan JJ, Chen YF, Gu HY, Ling EA, Wu JL, Zeng YS. The integration of NSC-derived and host neural networks after rat spinal cord transection. Biomaterials 2013; 34:2888-901. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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