骨髓间质干细胞移植对大鼠脊髓损伤神经功能恢复的影响

目的：观察成人骨髓间质干细胞（hBMSCs)移植对大鼠脊髓损伤神经功能恢复的影响.方法：Wistar大鼠90只，随机分为脊髓半切＋hBMSCs组、脊髓半切＋PBS组、单纯脊髓半切组和假手术组。脊髓半切＋hBMSCs组和PBS组又分别分为头侧注射、尾侧注射和头尾两侧注射三个亚组。移植后1、7、14、21、28d观察大鼠神经功能恢复情况，应用免疫组化和免疫荧光技术检测BrdU标记hBMSCs的胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）和神经元特异性核蛋白（NeuN)表达情况。结果：大鼠脊髓半切损害后，hBMSCs组动物较PBS组死亡率下降并有明显的神经功能恢复。移植的hBMSCs 在宿主脊髓中存活，从第7天开始即有NeuN和GFAP表达并向损伤部位及对侧迁移，第28天hBMSCs来源GFAP阳性细胞可见明显的树突生长。结论：hBMSCs可在宿主损伤脊髓中存活、向损伤部位迁移并向神经元和星形胶质细胞分化，并促进神经功能恢复，降低死亡率，成人骨髓间质干细胞作为一种独特的干细胞来源用于治疗脊髓损伤可能具有非常重要的价值。     

骨髓间充质干细胞立体定向移植治疗大鼠脊髓损伤*

摘要 背景：传统观念认为,神经组织损伤后几乎不能再生,以往对SCI的治疗缺乏有效手段,致使本病致残率高,疗效差。干细胞治疗关键在于移植具有再生能力的干细胞,通过多种作用机制,可以重建中枢神经系统的结构和功能,近年来引起了广泛的关注。 目的：探讨立体定向移植骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）对大鼠脊髓损伤修复的影响并探讨其机制 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验,于2007-10/2008-6在天津市环湖医院完成。 材料：1月龄SD大鼠20只,用于制备骨髓间充质干细胞;健康成年Wistar大鼠45只,雌性、同系,体质量280±20 g。将动物随机分为对照组、假手术组与移植组,每组各15只。 方法：密度梯度离心法结合贴壁筛选法分离骨髓间充质干细胞,经流式细胞仪鉴定为MSCs。以动脉瘤夹夹闭法制备大鼠脊髓损伤（SCI）模型,在SCI大鼠致伤后第7天,通过立体定向途径移植MSCs到移植组大鼠脊髓损伤中心,移植等量生理盐水至假手术组大鼠脊髓损伤中心,对照组大鼠不做处理。 主要观察指标：SCI大鼠损伤前及损伤后第7天、14天、30天、60天、90天的BBB评分;损伤后第90天处死大鼠,观察其脊髓组织中有无BrdU阳性细胞、Brdu+NSE、Brdu+GFAP、Brdu+bFGF、Brdu+BDNF免疫组化双染阳性细胞并观察NSE、GFAP、bFGF、BDNF单染阳性细胞。 结果： ①BBB评分发现,MSCs移植组大鼠BBB后肢功能评分恢复优于对照组（p<0.05）;假手术组BBB评分在损伤后30天内恢复速度慢于对照组（p<0.05）,至第90天与对照组比较无显著差异（P>0.05）;②免疫组织化学染色发现,移植组大鼠脊髓内在损伤中心及头、尾端距离脊髓损伤中心1cm处均可见BrdU染色阳性细胞及Brdu+NSE、Brdu+GFAP、Brdu+bFGF、Brdu+BDNF免疫组化双染阳性细胞。移植组NSE、GFAP、bFGF、BDNF单染阳性细胞数明显高于对照组和假手术组（p<0.05）。 结论： MSCs移植可以促进SCI大鼠的神经功能的恢复,其机制可能与移植细胞分化为神经元样和神经胶质细胞样细胞,并分泌或促进宿主分泌神经营养因子有关。 关键词 脊髓损伤 骨髓间充质干细胞 立体定向 细胞移植     

人羊膜间充质干细胞移植对大鼠脊髓损伤神经功能恢复的影响

目的 观察人羊膜间充质干细胞( hAD - MSCs)移植对大鼠脊髓损伤神经功能恢复的影响.方法 建立大鼠脊髓全横断损伤模型,脊髓横断后立即以明胶海绵吸附10μl hAD- MSCs(约2×105个)或等量PBS液植入脊髓两断端之间.术后每周应用BBB评分评价大鼠后肢运动功能;采用免疫荧光染色观察hAD - MSCs在脊髓内的存活、分化情况;免疫组织化学染色观察受损脊髓远端组织NF - 200表达.结果 hAD - MSCs移植组神经功能明显恢复,BBB评分逐周增加,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).hAD - MSCs植入后2周在宿主脊髓中存在MAB1281染色阳性细胞,但不表达MAP -2和GFAP.hAD - MSCs移植后大鼠受损脊髓远端神经组织NF - 200表达明显强于对照组.结论 hAD - MSCs移植可促进大鼠脊髓损伤后的神经功能恢复,其机制可能与hAD - MSCs促进受损脊髓远端组织表达NF - 200有关.     

大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞静脉移植对脊髓损伤的修复作用

目的初步探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）静脉移植对脊髓损伤后神经功能恢复和神经修复的影响。方法体外培养BMSCs，改良Allen法制备大鼠脊髓损伤模型，经尾静脉移植Brdu标记的BMSCs，损伤后24h、移植后1、3、5周评价实验动物的神经功能状况，并检测BMSCs在体内迁移、存活以及分化情况，电子显微镜观察组织形态学变化。结果移植的BMSCs在宿主损伤脊髓中聚集并存活，3～5周后有部分移植细胞表达神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、神经丝蛋白（NF）、微管相关蛋白（MAP2）；BMSCs静脉移植组大鼠运动功能改善，BBB评分高于对照组（P〈0．05）；5周后组织学观察，与对照组相比移植组损伤区脊髓结构较完整。结论BMSCs经静脉移植后可向脊髓损伤处聚集并存活分化，促进神经修复及神经功能的恢复。     

转染绿色荧光蛋白的神经干细胞移植于半横断脊髓损伤处的体内外分化研究

目的 观察转染绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的大鼠脊髓神经干细胞移植于半横断脊髓损伤处的体内外分化情况.方法 将表达GFP的慢病毒载体转染胎鼠脊髓神经干细胞,体外用10%胎牛血清诱导分化.转染后的神经干细胞与PLGA支架移植于大鼠半横断脊髓损伤处,术后1个月和3个月取材,行GFAP、NF和CNP免疫荧光染色.结果 转染GFP的神经干细胞球表达强烈的绿色荧光,体外分化可见GFAP/GFP、NF/GFP和CNP/GFP双阳性细胞,GFAP/GFP双阳性细胞明显多于其他两种.移植后3个月,GFP阳性细胞在脊髓内明显减少,可见少数GFAP/GFP和CNP/GFP舣阳性细胞,未见NF/GFP双阳性细胞.结论 转染GFP的神经干细胞可在体外增殖和分化,但大部分分化成胶质细胞.移植于急性期脊髓损伤处的神经干细胞不被诱导分化成神经元样细胞,可被诱导分化成神经胶质细胞.     

HIF-1α基因修饰神经干细胞移植对大鼠损伤脊髓NF200和GFAP表达的影响

【摘要】目的研究低氧诱导因子-1α（HI-1α）基因修饰的神经干细胞移植对大鼠脊髓损伤后神经丝蛋白200（NF200）和胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）表达的影响及意义。方法采用电控脊髓损伤打击装置制作大鼠脊髓损伤模型。按随机数字表将120只SD大鼠平均分为4组：假手术组（Sham组）,单纯损伤组（SCI组）,神经干细胞组（NSC组）和HIF-1α基因修饰NSC组（HIF—NSC组）。应用免疫组化法检测受伤脊髓中HIF-1α、NF200和GFAP的表达。结果HIF-NSC组中HIF-1αt免疫阳性细胞平均光密度值比其他各组各时间点均高（P〈O．01）,且表达高峰延迟至移植后14d;除第1天外,HIF—NSC组NF200表达比SCI组和NSC组明显增高（P〈0．05）,移植后28dNF200免疫阳性轴突数目也比SCI组和NSC组明显增多（P〈0．01）;移植后7d、14d、28dGFAP免疫阳性细胞面积均比SCI组和NSC组明显减少（P〈0．01）。结论HIF-1α基因修饰NSC移植可引起HIF-1α在损伤脊髓内有效表达,且能明显的促进NF200的表达,并能在脊髓损伤的后期抑制GFAP的表达。这提示HIF-1α基因修饰的NSC移植可减少受伤脊髓中胶质细胞的增生和胶质疤痕的形成,促进轴突再生。     

5000/自体骨髓干细胞动员移植与手术移植治疗脊髓损伤的实验研究

探讨自体骨髓干细胞( bone marrow stem cells, BMSC)动员移植与手术移植治疗脊髓损伤（spinal cord injury，SCI）的疗效和机制。方法：选用10周龄健康SD大鼠90只，雌雄各半，建模前注射5-溴2-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷 (Bromodeoxyuridine,Brdu) 50mg/kg/d×3天后抽取自体骨髓，体外分离自体BMSC；NYU(New York University，NYU) Impactor制作SCI模型，随机分为对照组、动员移植组、手术移植组各30只。动员移植组应用重组粒细胞刺激因子（granulocyte-colony stimulating factor,G-CSF）皮下注射，20mg/kg/d×7天；手术移植组为损伤局部移植0.3ml（1×107个/ml）BMSC,各组均从术前三天开始，连续10天腹腔注射Brdu 50mg/kg/d。采用Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan（BBB）评分检测大鼠后肢的运动功能；体感诱发电位（somatoseneory evoked potential,SEP）和运动诱发电位（motor evoke potential,MEP）检测脊髓上、下行神经传导通路，判断SCI和恢复程度；病理和免疫组化观察脊髓损伤组织细胞结构变化及Brdu、GFAP和NSE分布表达。结果：BBB评分1周以后动员移植组和手术移植组分别较对照组比较差异有统计学意义（p＜0.05）,SEP、MEP潜伏期和波幅2周后动员移植组和手术移植组较对照组比较差异有统计学意义，组织病理学显示动员移植组和手术移植组较对照组有更少的空洞、坏死及GFAP阳性胶质瘢痕组织，较多的Brdu阳性细胞和NSE阳性细胞。结论：自体BMSCs动员移植和手术移植两种方法均能明显减轻SCI的程度，促进损伤后的脊髓功能的恢复，二者对比，前者更为方便、无创，实用性强，更有可能抓住有限的治疗时机，因而应用前景可能更好。     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子预诱导对骨髓基质干细胞向多巴胺能神经元分化的影响

目的探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）预诱导对骨髓基质干细胞（MSCs）向多巴胺（DA）能神经元分化的影响。方法取雄性Wistar大鼠股骨和胫骨骨髓，进行MSCs的体外培养、传代扩增及纯化。bFGF预诱导24h后，依据加入的神经营养因子不同分为单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂（GMl）组、胶质源性神经营养因子（GDNF）组和GDNF＋GMl组，以及对照组。倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态变化，分别在预诱导第3d、7d进行神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、神经胶质酸性蛋白（GFAP）、酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）免疫细胞化学检测。计数NSE和TH阳性细胞数，并计算阳性细胞百分比。结果对照组见少量NSE阳性细胞。实验组于诱导第3d、7d见较多数量的NSE、TH阳性细胞，GFAP阴性。bFGF预诱导各组中GDNF＋GMl组NSE、TH阳性细胞率最高，GDNF组次之，GMl组最低，组间比较差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．01）。结论bF—GF预诱导不仅可明显促进GDNF、GMl诱导MSCs向神经元样细胞分化，表达神经元细胞标志物——NSE；还可促进MSCs向DA能神经元分化，表达DA能神经元标志物——TH。     

神经干细胞移植对脑出血模型大鼠神经功能的影响☆

背景：外源性神经干细胞具有神经修复作用，可能对脑出血后的神经功能恢复起到一定的作用。 目的：观察胎鼠神经干细胞的体外生长、分化及移植到脑出血大鼠后的存活、迁徙、分化情况，探讨神经干细胞对脑出血模型大鼠受损神经功能的修复作用。 设计：完全随机分组设计，对照动物实验。 单位：复旦大学附属华山医院神经外科 材料：选用健康雄性成年SD大鼠18只为受体，体质量280~320 g，由中国科学院上海实验动物中心提供。实验用鼠抗BrdU为Neomarkers产品, 鼠抗胶质纤维酸性蛋白和兔抗微管相关蛋白2 为Chemicon产品。 方法：实验于2006-02/12在复旦大学附属上海医学院解剖组胚实验室完成。从胎龄14 d的胎鼠海马中分离、培养、鉴定神经干细胞。16只受体SD大鼠被随机分为3组：对照组，PBS组和移植神经干细胞组。均通过尾状核内注射自体动脉血制作大鼠脑出血模型。移植NSC组在造模后30 min在血肿腔周围四点分别移植浓度为2×1011 L-1神经干细胞悬液5μL；PBS组于相同时间点在脑内相同部位注射PBS；PBS和神经干细胞的移植方法同自体血的移植方法。对照组大鼠在造模后30 min只造成四点损伤，不注射任何物质。 主要观察指标：在造模后立即，1，3，5，14，21，28 d采用前肢评分和转身评分对大鼠神经功能进行评估。大鼠于造模后28 d麻醉后取脑，并通过双标胶质纤维酸性蛋白、微管相关蛋白2、BrdU免疫组化来检测移植入脑的神经干细胞在体内的分化情况。 结果：①神经功能评分：造模后5 d，各组差异无显著性意义（P > 0.05）。造模后14~28 d，干细胞移植组较其他3组明显改善（P < 0.05）。②脑组织切片双免疫组织学双标染色结果：干细胞移植组血肿周围凋亡细胞少于PBS组。受体大鼠脑组织切片显示有BrdU, 微管相关蛋白2,胶质纤维酸性蛋白阳性细胞，说明神经干细胞可以在宿主脑内存活、迁徙和分化，可以分化为神经元样细胞和神经胶质样细胞。 结论：神经干细胞移植可能通过分化为神经元样细胞和神经胶质细胞促进大鼠脑出血的神经功能恢复。     

成年大鼠脊髓损伤后损伤区血管变化及其与星形胶质细胞的关系

目的研究成年大鼠脊髓损伤后损伤区内血管的变化及其与星形胶质细胞的关系。方法通过单宁酸-氯化铁灌注，结合形态学与免疫组织化学方法，观察正常大鼠脊髓以及挤压损伤后0h、24h、72h．1周、2周、4周时的血管形态及其与星形胶质细胞的关系。结果正常脊髓血管形态清晰，可见胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）免疫反应阳性细胞突起附着于血管壁上；脊髓损伤后0h损伤区血管连续性中断，未见GFAP免疫反应阳性细胞；72h时损伤区出现血管；1周时损伤区内血管数目较多，可见GFAP免疫反应阳性细胞；2周时损伤区空洞形成，周围可见少量GFAP免疫反应阳性细胞附着于血管；4周时损伤区内围绕空洞的血管交错排列，与GFAP免疫反应阳性细胞突起形成广泛关联。结论脊髓损伤后72h内推测是治疗脊髓损伤后损伤区组织缺血的有效时间窗，损伤后星形胶质细胞参与了血管结构的恢复。     

Survival and migration of human and rat olfactory ensheathing cells in intact and injured spinal cord

Increasing evidence indicates the potential of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for treating spinal cord injuries. The present study compared proliferation and migration of adult rat and human OECs transplanted into the spinal cord of athymic (immunodeficient) rats. OECs were purified from the nasal lamina propria and prelabeled with a cytoplasmic dye. After OEC injection into the thoracic spinal cord, animals were perfused 4 hr, 24 hr, and 7 days later. Both rat and human OECs showed similar migration. Cells were seen leaving the injection site after 4 hr, and by 7 days both rat and human OECs had migrated approximately 1 mm rostrally and caudally within the cord (rat: 1,400 +/- 241 microm rostral, 1,134 +/- 262 microm caudal, n = 5; human: 1,337 +/- 192 microm rostral, 1,205 +/- 148 microm caudal, n = 6). Proliferation of transplanted OECs was evident at 4 hr, but most had ceased dividing by 24 hr. In 10 animals, the spinal cord was injured by a contralateral hemisection made 5 mm rostral to the transplantation site at the time of OEC transplantation. After 7 days, macrophages were numerous both around the injury and at the transplantation site. In the injured cord, rat and human OECs migrated for shorter distances, in both rostral and caudal directions (rat: 762 +/- 118 microm rostral, 554 +/- 142 microm caudal, n = 4; human: 430 +/- 55 microm rostral, 399 +/- 161 microm caudal, n = 3). The results show that rat and human OECs rapidly stop dividing after transplantation and have a similar ability to survive and migrate within the spinal cord of immunocompromised hosts. OECs migrated less in animals with a concomitant contralateral hemisection.     

Electrophysiological functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord hemisection injury following bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation under hypothermia

Following successful establishment of a rat model of spinal cord hemisection injury by resecting right spinal cord tissues, bone marrow stem cells were transplanted into the spinal cord lesions via the caudal vein while maintaining rectal temperature at 34 ± 0.5°C for 6 hours (mild hypothermia). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that astrocytes gathered around the injury site and formed scars at 4 weeks post-transplantation. Compared with rats transplanted with bone marrow stem cells under normal temperature, rats transplanted with bone marrow stem cells under hypothermia showed increased numbers of proliferating cells (bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells), better recovery of somatosensory-evoked and motor-evoked potentials, greater Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scores, and an increased degree of angle in the incline plate test. These findings suggested that hypothermia combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation effectively promoted electrical conduction and nerve functional repair in a rat model of spinal cord hemisection injury.     

Protective effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell vein transplantation against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: The majority of studies addressing spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI) have focused on drugs, proteins, cytokines, and various surgical techniques. A recent study reports that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) transplantation achieves good therapeutic effects, but the mechanisms underlying nerve protection remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE: To observe survival of transplanted hUCMSCs in SCIRI rat models and the influence on motor function in the hind limbs, to determine interleukin-8 expression and cellular apoptosis in spinal cord tissues, and to verify the hypothesis that hUCMSC transplantation exhibits protective effects on SCIRI.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Orthopedics in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,China between January 2007 and December 2008.MATERIALS: hUCMSCs were harvested from umbilical cord blood of healthy pregnant women after parturition in the Obstetrical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China. Rabbit anti-human BrdU monoclonal antibody was provided by DAKO, USA. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) Kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit were purchased by Wuhan Boster, China. METHODS: A total of 72 healthy, Wistar, adult rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-surgery, model, and transplantation, with 24 rats in each group. SCIRI was induced in the model and transplantation groups via the abdominal aorta block method. The inf rarenal abdominal aorta was not blocked in the sham-surgery group. Prior to abdominal aorta occlusion, 0.2-0.3 mL bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled hUCMSCs suspension (cell concentration 5 × 10~3/μL) was injected through the great saphenous vein of the hind limb, and an equal volume of physiological saline was administered to the model and sham-surgery groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathological observation of rat spinal cord tissues was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-surgery. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine hUCMSCs survival in the spinal cord. The amount of cellular apoptosis and interleukin-8 expression in spinal cord tissues was assayed utilizing the TUNEL and ELISA methods, respectively. Motor function in the hind limbs was evaluated according to Jacob's score. RESULTS: Numerous BrdU-positive cells were observed in spinal cord tissues from the transplantation group. The number of apoptotic cells and interleukin-8 levels significantly decreased in the transplantation group (P < 0.05), pathological injury was significantly ameliorated, and motor function scores significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: Via vein transplantation, hUCMSCs were shown to reach and survive in the injury area. Results suggested that the transplanted hUCMSCs contributed to significantly improved pathological changes in the injured spinal cord, as well as motor function, following SCIRI. The protective mechanism correlated with inhibition of cellular apoptosis and reduced production of inflammatory mediators.     

嗅鞘细胞静脉移植治疗脊髓损伤

背景：嗅鞘细胞移植治疗脊髓损伤在众多疗法中效果较佳,成为最有前景的治疗方法之一。目前移植方法为局部移植,存在操作复杂、创伤大、重复移植治疗困难等缺点。寻找一种简单易行且疗效好的移植方法成为各国学者研究的热点。 目的：分析嗅鞘细胞静脉移植治疗脊髓损伤的可行性和疗效。 方法：制备Wistar大鼠脊髓半切模型,随机分4组：嗅鞘细胞髓内局部移植组、嗅鞘细胞静脉移植组、D/F12静脉移植组和空白对照组。定期行CBS功能评分及组织学检查,评价脊髓修复情况。 结果与结论：嗅鞘细胞髓内局部移植组、嗅鞘细胞静脉移植组的功能恢复和组织学改变优于D/F12静脉移植组和空白对照组,嗅鞘细胞髓内局部移植组、嗅鞘细胞静脉移植组间无显著差别。说明嗅鞘细胞静脉移植可向脊髓损伤部位迁移并修复脊髓损伤,其疗效与嗅鞘细胞髓内局部移植相当。     

Collagen containing neonatal astrocytes stimulates regrowth of injured fibers and promotes modest locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury

The use of collagen as a vehicle to transplant neonatal astroglial cells into the lesioned spinal cord of the adult rat allows a precise application of these cells into the lesion gap and minimizes the migration of the transplanted cells. This approach might lead to anatomical and functional recovery. In the present study, 20 adult female Wistar rats were subjected to a dorsal hemisection at thoracic spinal cord levels. Cultured cortical neonatal rat astrocytes were transplanted into the lesion with collagen as a vehicle (N = 10). Prior to transplantation, the cultured astroglial cells were labelled with fast blue. Control rats received collagen implants only (N = 10). During 1 month of survival time, functional recovery of all rats was continuously monitored. Histological data showed that the prelabelled astroglial cells survived transplantation and were localized predominantly in the collagen implant. Virtually no fast blue-labelled GFAP-positive astroglial cells migrated out of the implant into the adjacent host spinal cord. The presence of transplanted neonatal astroglial cells resulted in a significant increase in the number of ingrowing neurofilament-positive fibers (including anterogradely labeled corticospinal axons) into the implant. Ingrowing fibers were closely associated with the transplanted astroglial cells. The implantation of neonatal astroglial cells did result in modest temporary improvements of locomotor recovery as observed during open-field locomotion analysis (BBB subscore) or during crossing of a walkway (catwalk).     

Therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on neonatal rat hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy

The therapeutic potential of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells has been studied in several diseases. However, the possibility that human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) can be used to treat neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has not yet been investigated. This study focuses on the potential therapeutic effect of hUCMSC transplantation in a rat model of HIE. Dermal fibroblasts served as cell controls. HIE was induced in neonatal rats aged 7 days. hUCMSCs labeled with Dil were then transplanted into the models 24 hr or 72 hr post‐HIE through the peritoneal cavity or the jugular vein. Behavioral testing revealed that hUCMSC transplantation but not the dermal fibroblast improved significantly the locomotor function vs. vehicle controls. Animals receiving cell grafts 24 hr after surgery showed a more significant improvement than at 72 hr. More hUCMSCs homed to the ischemic frontal cortex following intravenous administration than after intraperitoneal injection. Differentiation of engrafted cells into neurons was observed in and around the infarct region. Gliosis in ischemic regions was significantly reduced after hUCMSC transplantation. Administration of ganglioside (GM1) enhanced the behavioral recovery on the base of hUCMSC treatment. These results demonstrate that intravenous transplantation of hUCMSCs at an early stage after HIE can improve the behavior of hypoxic–ischemic rats and decrease gliosis. Ganglioside treatment further enhanced the recovery of neurological function following hUCMSC transplantation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of intravenous transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on neurotransmitters and synapsins in rats with spinal cord injury

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated, purified and cultured in vitro by Percoll density gradient centrifugation combined with the cell adherence method. Passages 3-5 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted into rats with traumatic spinal cord injury via the caudal vein. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores indicate that neurological function of experimental rats was significantly improved over transplantation time (1-5 weeks). Expressions of choline acetyltransferase, glutamic acid decarboxylase and synapsins in the damaged spinal cord of rats was significantly increased after transplantation, determined by immunofluorescence staining and laser confocal scanning microscopy. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells that had migrated into the damaged area of rats in the experimental group began to express choline acetyltransferase, glutamic acid decarboxylase and synapsins, 3 weeks after transplantation. The Basso-Beattie- Bresnahan scores positively correlated with expression of choline acetyltransferase and synapsins. Experimental findings indicate that intravenously transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells traverse into the damaged spinal cord of rats, promote expression of choline acetyltransferase, glutamic acid decarboxylase and synapsins, and improve nerve function in rats with spinal cord injury.