Transplantation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells promotes functional recovery in a rat model of traumatic spinal cord injury

doi:10.3877/cma.j.issn.2095-9141.2016.06.008

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective

To assess whether hAMSCs transplantation promotes neurological functional recovery in rats after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition, the potential mechanisms underlying the possible benefits of this therapy were investigated.

Methods

A total of 60 Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into PBS group and hAMSCs group (n=30). The SCI models were induced by a weight Drop device and then hAMSCs, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were immediately injected into the contused dorsal spinal cord at 2 mm rostral and 2 mm caudal to the injury site. Immunohistochemistry were performed to assay differentiation, angiogenesis and axonal regeneration. The expressions of BDNF and VEGF were analyzed by ELISA. Hind limb motor function was assessed with Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale.

Results

At 14, 21 and 28 d after SCI, BBB scores (8.75±0.701, 10.375±0.532, 12.125±0.350) of the hAMSCs group were significantly higher than that of PBS group(6.0±0.463, 7.25±0.412, 9.125±0.440) (P<0.05). At 7 and 14 d after SCI, the levels of BDNF (75.138±4.367 pg/mg, 66.483±4.099 pg/mg) of the hAMSCs group were significantly higher than that of PBS group (43.901±3.607 pg/mg, 41.108±3.848 pg/mg) (P<0.05). At 7, 14 and 28 d after SCI, the levels of VEGF (23.328±2.463 pg/mg, 22.301±2.223 pg/mg, 14.855±1.282 pg/mg) were significantly higher than that of PBS group (9.978±1.572 pg/mg, 9.271±1.496 pg/mg, 7.113±1.123 pg/mg)(P<0.05). The number of vWF+ blood vessels 17.5±2.102 in the hAMSCs group was significantly higher than that in PBS group 6.25±1.750(P<0.05). The 5HT+ fiber area 3486±203.643 and GAP43+ fiber area 4568.25±253.881 in the hAMSCs group were significantly higher than that in PBS group (2070.25±156.344, 2455.725±314.475) (P<0.05).

Conclusion

hAMSCs transplantation significantly enhanced neurological function in rats after SCI. This enhanced neurological function may be due to increased expression of neurotrophic factors and both angiogenesis and axonal regeneration. Thus, hAMSCs transplantation appears to be promising in the treatment of SCI.

Key words: Mesenchymal stem cells, Human amnion, Spinal cord injury, Transplantation, Functional recovery

Honglong Zhou, Xuejun Zhang, Maoying Zhang, Zhongjie Yan, Zhimin Xu, Ruxiang Xu. Transplantation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells promotes functional recovery in a rat model of traumatic spinal cord injury[J]. Chinese Journal of Neurotraumatic Surgery(Electronic Edition), 2016, 02(06): 355-360.

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References 17

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