Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells for promoting regeneration following spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the status of olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs） transplantation in facilitating the regeneration of spinal cord injury. DATA SOURCES： Articles about OECs transplantation in treating spinal cord injury were searched in Pubmed database published in English from January 1981 to December 2005 by using the keywords of ＂olfactory ensheathing cells, transplantation, spinal cord injury＂. STUDY SELECTION： The data were checked primarily, literatures related to OECs transplantation and the regeneration of spinal cord injury were selected, whereas the repetitive studies and reviews were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION： Totally 43 articles about OECs transplantation and the regeneration and repair of spinal cord injury were collected, and the repetitive ones were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS： There were 35 articles accorded with the criteria. OECs are the olfactory ensheathing glias isolated from olfactory bulb and olfactory nerve tissue. OECs have the characters of both Schwann cells in central nervous system and peripheral astrocytes. The transplanted OECs can migrate in the damaged spinal cord of host, can induce and support the regeneration, growth and extension of damaged neuritis. Besides, transgenic technique can enable it to carry some exogenous genes that promote neuronal regeneration, and express some molecules that can facilitate neural regeneration, so as to ameliorate the internal environment of nerve injury, induce the regeneration of damaged spinal cord neurons, which can stimulate the regeneration potential of the damaged spinal cord to reach the purpose of spinal cord regeneration and functional recovery. CONCLUSION： OECs are the glial cells with the energy for growth at mature phase, they can myelinize axons, secrete various biological nutrition factors, and then protect and support neurons, also facilitate neural regeneration. OECs have been successfully isolated from nasal olfactory mucosa and olfactory nerve. Therefore, autologous transplantation of OECs and objective genes modified OECs carrying various neurotrophic factors may become an effective method to treat spinal cord injury in the future.     

嗅鞘细胞移植修复大鼠脊髓损伤的组织病理学变化☆

背景：对于脊髓损伤,目前临床尚无有效的治疗对策,近年来嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓损伤修复取得了一定的进展。 目的：观察嗅鞘细胞移植在缓解损伤脊髓的病理反应和超微结构变化,及其在发生发展中的作用。 方法：60只大鼠随机分为空白组,模型组,嗅鞘胞移植组和DF12组,每组15只。空白组：仅切开T10全椎板及T9,T11部分椎板,对脊髓未作其他处理,明胶海绵轻柔压迫止血;模型组：仅切断脊髓,未作特殊处理;嗅鞘细胞移植组和DF12组：切断脊髓后用微量注射器分别注射嗅鞘细胞和DF12培养液,随后缝合切口。脊髓损伤后1,3,7,14,28,42,56 d每组麻醉2只受检大鼠,取材做光镜观察和电镜观察。 结果与结论：单纯脊髓横切损伤后,发生了出血、水肿、变性、坏死以及囊腔形成,胶质细胞增生和神经纤维再生。嗅鞘细胞移植后,明显减轻了神经元和神经纤维的坏死变性程度,减轻病理反应,并能对损伤神经元实施保护;防止了胶质细胞过度增生形成瘢痕屏障,明显增加了再生神经纤维的数量。提示嗅鞘细胞移植对损伤脊髓具有减轻病理反应和促进修复的作用。     

嗅鞘细胞移植治疗脊髓损伤的临床验证

背景: 一系列基础研究证实在动物脊髓损伤的模型中,嗅鞘细胞移植能够促进脊髓损伤的再生和恢复脊髓的部分神经功能。部分临床实验证明嗅鞘细胞的移植的确能改善脊髓损伤患者的神经功能,从而改善其生活质量。 目的：验证嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓损伤患者神经功能修复的作用及安全性。 方法：取流产胚胎嗅球并消化成为单个嗅鞘细胞,培养纯化2周左右,制成嗅鞘细胞悬液。选择脊髓损伤患者213例,全麻下将制备好的嗅鞘细胞悬液采用区域性多靶点注射方法移植于损伤脊髓的周围。采用ASIA量表对患者移植前1d及移植后3周~2个月进行评分,评价患者脊髓恢复状况。 结果与结论：所有患者的脊髓神经功能于术后3周均有不同程度的改变,脊髓功能评分及感觉与运动功能均较移植前明显提高(P < 0.001),且随时间延长呈不断改善趋势;最长患者随访5年,未见已恢复的神经功能 减退及移植不良反应。证实嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓损伤患者的神经功能恢复有促进作用,可以部分恢复及改善其部分脊髓神经功能,且治疗方法安全。     

嗅鞘细胞移植脊髓损伤大鼠后Semaphorin3A的表达

脊髓损伤后损伤区Semaphorin3A(Sema3A)表达明显升高,嗅鞘细胞移植对此会有何影响？实验发现单纯脊髓横切损伤后,会出现脊髓出血、水肿、变性、坏死,囊腔形成,胶质细胞增生和神经纤维再生等病理反应。嗅鞘细胞移植后,脊髓的上述病理反应明显减轻,损伤区神经元和神经纤维的坏死程度下降,损伤区Sema3A表达降低。证实嗅鞘细胞移植可通过降低Sema3A表达对损伤脊髓神经元起保护作用。     

嗅鞘细胞移植损伤脊髓组织的超微结构变化

背景：脊髓损伤后神经功能难以自行恢复,嗅鞘细胞具有外周性和中枢性两种胶质细胞的成鞘功能,是修复受损神经最有前途的种子细胞。嗅鞘细胞移植到受损脊髓后的组织学和超微结构的变化可能帮助解释嗅鞘细胞发挥修复作用的机制。 目的: 验证嗅球源性嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓损伤功能恢复的促进作用,并观察移植的嗅鞘细胞对神经元和轴突组织和超微结构的影响。 方法：将已制备脊髓模型的Wistar大鼠随机分为3组,对照组不做任何注射操作,DMEM/F12组注射DMEM/F12培养基,嗅鞘细胞组注射嗅鞘细胞悬液。每周进行肢体活动BBB评分,8周后取脊髓标本进行组织学和免疫组织化学观察,评价脊髓损伤的修复情况,并观察嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓组织和超微结构的影响。 结果与结论：3组动物均出现后肢运动功能的恢复,嗅鞘细胞组优于对照组和DMEM/F12组,在4周后更为明显。组织学观察可见,在嗅鞘细胞组可见有神经纤维通过损伤处。损伤处附近,嗅鞘细胞组脊髓腹侧的神经纤维和神经元形态较好,损伤较轻。而对照组和DMEM/F12组神经纤维和神经元损害严重。嗅鞘细胞组的caspsase-3阳性细胞数少于对照组和DMEM/F12组。超微结构观察可见,嗅鞘细胞组的神经纤维和细胞形态均优于对照组和DMEM/F12组。结果表明嗅鞘细胞移植对大鼠脊髓损伤修复有明显的促进作用,并可恢复损伤神经的部分功能,对受损神经纤维和神经元有保护作用。     

Protection of corticospinal tract neurons after dorsal spinal cord transection and engraftment of olfactory ensheathing cells

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) into the damaged rat spinal cord leads to directed elongative axonal regeneration and improved functional outcome. OECs are known to produce a number of neurotrophic molecules. To explore the possibility that OECs are neuroprotective for injured corticospinal tract (CST) neurons, we transplanted OECs into the dorsal transected spinal cord (T9) and examined primary motor cortex (M1) to assess apoptosis and neuronal loss at 1 and 4 weeks post-transplantation. The number of apoptotic cortical neurons was reduced at 1 week, and the extent of neuronal loss was reduced at 4 weeks. Biochemical analysis indicated an increase in BDNF levels in the spinal cord injury zone after OEC transplantation at 1 week. The transplanted OECs associated longitudinally with axons at 4 weeks. Thus, OEC transplantation into the injured spinal cord has distant neuroprotective effects on descending cortical projection neurons.     

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。     

不同来源嗅鞘细胞修复脊髓损伤的效果比较

背景：研究表明嗅鞘细胞所分泌的细胞黏附分子和神经营养因子具有保护脊髓神经元和促进脊髓轴突再生的效应。 目的：比较嗅球及嗅黏膜固有层来源的嗅鞘细胞异体移植修复脊髓损伤的能力。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验,于2007-06/2008-06在西电集团医院中心实验室完成。 材料：随机选取雄性3月龄及23月龄SD大鼠各6只,分为实验组(23月龄)和对照组(3月龄),用于嗅鞘细胞的体外培养和纯化;SD大鼠30只随机分为乳鼠嗅球嗅鞘细胞移植组、正常嗅黏膜嗅鞘细胞移植组、对照组,每组10只。 方法：30只SD大鼠制造脊髓损伤模型,分别将体外培养的乳鼠和SD大鼠嗅鞘细胞进行脊髓损伤模型的异体移植,对照组不做移植。 主要观察指标：术后4,8周,进行BBB神经功能评分,诱发电位,组织病理学观察。 结果：实验过程中大鼠死亡7只,各组死亡率大致相同。移植后第4,8周时,乳鼠嗅鞘细胞移植组、正常嗅黏膜嗅鞘细胞组评分差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05),均显著高于空白对照组(P < 0.001);嗅鞘细胞移植2组评分8周高于4周(P < 0.01)。术后4周,各组动物均未引出运动诱发电位,移植后8周时,2组嗅鞘细胞移植组动物均可引出运动诱发电位,2组差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05),空白对照组动物仍未引出运动诱发电位(P < 0.001)。移植后8周,2组嗅鞘细胞移植组脊髓损伤区有较多细胞浸润,对照组细胞数目较少。 结论：来源于嗅球与嗅黏膜的嗅鞘细胞对脊髓损伤修复均有促进作用,且两者作用无明显差异。     

A comparative study of glial and non‐neural cell properties for transplant‐mediated repair of the injured spinal cord

Cell transplantation is one strategy for encouraging regeneration after spinal cord injury and a range of cell types have been investigated for their repair potential. However, variations in study design complicate determination of which cells are most effective. In this study we have carried out a direct comparison of the regenerative and integrative properties of several cell preparations following transplantation into the lesioned rat spinal cord. Transplants included: (i) purified olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and (ii) fibroblast‐like cells, from olfactory bulb (OBFB‐L), (iii) a 50:50 mixture of (i) and (ii) (OEC/OBFB‐L), (iv) dissociated nasal mucosa (OM), (v) purified peripheral nerve Schwann cells (SCs), (vi) peripheral nerve fibroblasts, and (vii) skin fibroblasts (SF). All transplants supported axonal regeneration: OECs and SCs promoted the greatest regeneration while OBFB‐like cells were least efficient and mixed cell populations were less effective than purified populations. Tract‐tracing experiments demonstrated that none of the cell types promoted regeneration beyond the lesion. Although all cell types prevented cavity formation, the extent of astrocytic hypertrophy [GFAP immunoreactivity (IR) at the transplant/lesion site] differed markedly. OECs and SCs were associated with the least GFAP‐IR, fibroblasts and fibroblast‐like cells resulted in greater GFAP‐IR while hypertrophy surrounding transplants of OM was most extensive. These differences in host‐transplant reactivity were confirmed by transplanting cells into normal spinal cord where the cellular interaction is not complicated by injury. Thus, purified glial cells have advantages for transplant‐mediated repair, combining maximal support for axonal regeneration with a minimal astrocytic reaction around the transplant site. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cryopreserved cells isolated from the adult canine olfactory bulb are capable of extensive remyelination following transplantation into the adult rat CNS

Naturally occurring spinal cord injury in dogs provides a potentially powerful intermediate model for testing the efficacy of therapeutic strategies developed in experimental rodent models before phase 1 trials in human patients. A particularly promising strategy involves transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) that both promote axon regeneration and generate new myelin sheaths. As a first step in developing OEC transplantation in the canine intermediate model we describe the isolation, purification, and characterization of OECs from adult dog olfactory bulb. We also show that the canine OEC behaves in a manner similar to its rodent counterpart following transplantation into demyelinating lesions in rat spinal cord and that these properties are retained following cryopreservation.     

Transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury A Web of Science-based literature analysis

OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends in transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury. DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of studies on transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury published from 2002 to 2011 and retrieved from the Web of Science, using the key words spinal cord injury along with either neural stem cell, Schwann cell or olfactory ensheathing cell. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: (a) peer-reviewed published articles on neural stem cells, Schwann cells or olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury indexed in the Web of Science; (b) original research articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial materials and news items; and (c) published between 2002 and 2011. Exclusion criteria: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) documents that were not published in the public domain; and (c) corrected papers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on neural stem cells; (2) annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on Schwann cells; (3) annual publication output, distribution by journal, distribution by institution and top-cited articles on olfactory ensheathing cells. RESULTS: This analysis, based on articles indexed in the Web of Science, identified several research trends among studies published over the past 10 years in transplantation of neural stem cells, Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord injury. The number of publications increased over the 10-year period examined. Most papers appeared in journals with a focus on neurology, such as Journal of Neurotrauma, Experimental Neurology and Glia. Research institutes publishing on the use of neural stem cells to repair spinal cord injury were mostly in the USA and Canada. Those publishing on the use of Schwann cells were mostly in the USA and Canada as well. Those publishing on the use of olfactory ensheathing cells were mostly in the UK, the USA and Canada. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the large number of studies around the world, cell transplantation has proven to be the most promising therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury.     

接受嗅鞘细胞移植脊髓损伤大鼠电生理及后肢功能变化

背景：研究证实嗅鞘细胞有利于神经元存活,并可促进轴突再生。 目的：探讨嗅鞘细胞移植治疗大鼠脊髓损伤的效果。 方法：健康成年雌性SD大鼠40只,随机分为盐水对照组、细胞移植组,20只/组。另取10只SD大鼠用于嗅鞘细胞的分离培养。盐水对照组、细胞移植组大鼠均建立脊髓损伤模型,取双侧第8~10对肋间神经各2 cm,交叉植入脊髓缺损处(近端白质与远端灰质、远端白质与近端灰质),细胞移植组局部注射嗅鞘细胞2×106个,盐水对照组局部注射等量无菌生理盐水。通过体感诱发电位和运动诱发电位的检测,观察神经电生理恢复情况;BBB后肢运动功能评分结果;通过BDA顺行神经示踪,观察运动传导束恢复情况。 结果与结论：细胞移植组大鼠体感诱发电位及运动诱发电位的潜伏期、波幅明显优于盐水对照组(P < 0.01);细胞移植组大鼠BBB后肢运动功能评分较生理盐水组明显提高(P < 0.01);细胞移植组脊髓损伤区有较多BDA标记阳性神经纤维通过,其数量明显多于盐水对照组(P < 0.01)。证实局部注射嗅鞘细胞可以较好地恢复大鼠脊髓损伤后的神经电生理及后肢运动功能。     

嗅黏膜嗅鞘细胞与肌基膜管联合移植修复脊髓损伤

目的：观察嗅黏膜来源的嗅鞘细胞与肌基膜管联合移植后对脊髓损伤的修复效果。 方法：1只SD大鼠行背正中切口，顺椎旁肌纤维切除约1.5 cm×0.8 cm×0.6 cm的肌条，复温、漂洗并挤压肌条以排出肌浆，制成肌基膜管。4只SD大鼠麻醉后取出嗅黏膜，胶原酶消化法分离培养嗅鞘细胞，调整浓度至1011 L-1。取SD大鼠50只，随机分成5组：嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组、嗅鞘细胞组、肌基膜管组、模型组、正常组，10只/组。除正常组外，其余组均建立脊髓损伤模型，于T10横断脊髓并切除约2 mm，将培养7 d的嗅鞘细胞与肌基膜管按组别分别植入脊髓断端，模型组用浸有DMEM的凝胶海绵桥接横断的脊髓。 结果：移植后第8周，嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组、嗅鞘细胞组大鼠运动功能明显恢复，出现大关节大幅度运动，且前者运动功能BBB评分升高尤为显著（P < 0.01）；肌基膜管组大鼠仅见小关节轻微活动；模型组大鼠后肢挛缩重，无明显功能恢复。嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组后肢体感诱发电位及运动诱发电位的潜伏期显著低于其他各组（P < 0.01）。苏木精-伊红染色和核转录因子免疫组化染色结果显示，嗅鞘细胞+肌基膜管联合组、嗅鞘细胞组的移植物与损伤脊髓整合较好，未见明显空洞，有大量染色呈阳性的纤维，纤维较长，由近侧端长入远侧端；肌基膜管组有空洞形成，染色阳性的纤维数量少，纤维细小且排列紊乱；模型组端断间充满瘢痕组织，未见明显染色阳性纤维。 结论：嗅鞘细胞移植可促进脊髓损伤后的轴突再生，肌基膜管作为一种生物管道，两者联合应用可明显促进脊髓损伤后的轴突再生及功能恢复。     

Chronic transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells promotes partial recovery after complete spinal cord transection in the rat

The goal of this study was to ascertain whether olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) were able to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery when transplanted 45 days after complete transection of the thoracic spinal cord in adult rats. OECs promoted partial restitution of supraspinal pathways evaluated by motor evoked potentials and modest recovery of hindlimb movements. In addition, OEC grafts reduced lumbar reflex hyperexcitability from the first month after transplantation. Histological results revealed that OECs facilitated corticospinal and raphespinal axons regrowth through the injury site and into the caudal spinal cord segments. Interestingly, raphespinal but not corticospinal fibers regenerated long distances through the gray matter and reached the lower lumbar segments (L5) of the spinal cord. However, delayed OEC grafts failed to reduce posttraumatic astrogliosis. In conclusion, the beneficial effects found in the present study further support the use of OECs for treating chronic spinal cord injuries.     

Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation and inhibition of NogoA, NgR and RhoA expression in the damaged zone to ameliorate spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND:Olfactory ensheathing cell(OEC)transplantation promotes repair of spinal cord injury. Neural regeneration inhibits binding of the myelin protein Nogo to its receptor(NgR),activates downstream inhibitory signal RhoA, and leads to axonal degeneration.OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between OECs transplantation for spinal cord injury and NogoA, NgR, and RhoA protein expression in the damaged zone.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed from September 2006 to May 2007 at the Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes in Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China.MATERIALS: OECs were harvested from healthy, adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats aged 6 months. Mouse anti-rat NogoA, NgR, and RhoA monoclonal antibodies were utilized for detection.METHODS: A total of 40 adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal, model, OECs, and DF12, with 10 animals in each group. Transverse section spinal cord injury was established in the OECs and DF12 groups, followed by injection of 1 μL OECs suspension(1×108/mL)or equivalent DF12 medium at 1 mm above and below the injury site.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were utilized to detect NogoA, NgR, and RhoA expression in the spinal cord injury lesions. Morphological changes were observed by argyrophilia staining, and lower extremity function of the animals was assessed using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores.RESULTS: Eight weeks following OECs transplantation, a significant increase in new axons was observed in the OECs group, and nerve fibers crossed the injury site to repair spinal cord injury.Qualitative and quantitative results from the OECs group were superior to the model and DF12 groups. At 8 weeks after transplantation, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores were significantly greater in the OECs group compared with the model and DF12 groups(P< 0.01), but expression of NogoA, NgR, and RhoA protein was significantly decreased compared with the model and DF12 groups(P< 0.05).CONCLUSION: OEC transplantation could inhibit NogoA, NgR, and RhoA expression in spinal cord injury lesions, thereby promoting repair of spinal cord injury.     

嗅鞘细胞移植治疗中枢神经系统损伤的理论研究及临床应用

进行中枢神经系统损伤修复的候选胶质细胞包括嗅鞘细胞、少突胶质前体细胞和许旺细胞。少突胶质前体细胞很难获得大量移植用供体细胞,许旺细胞很难穿透胶质瘢痕,从应用方面均不如嗅鞘细胞。离体培养中嗅鞘细胞极强的可塑性可能会使嗅鞘细胞适时改变自身形态,以适应体内复杂的微环境,有利于神经再生。嗅鞘细胞移植后对脊髓后根损伤后再生有一定作用,其作用大小可能与嗅鞘移植物的成分有关,细胞制备技术和混合细胞移植能影响嗅鞘细胞移植物的效果。虽然胎脑的免疫原性很低,但合理应用免疫抑制剂会使嗅鞘细胞的移植效果有所改观。嗅鞘细胞除了重建损伤通路外,还可能通过轴突发芽、在非突触部位释放单胺类物质、改善病变部位环境并帮助附近的残余神经纤维保存功能和活性等机制对中枢神经的功能发生作用。嗅鞘细胞的细胞生物学和移植后行为学的深入研究都会加快人们对脊髓损伤的理解,并对脊髓损伤的修复治疗产生重要的理论指导意义。     

低能激光照射嗅鞘细胞促进脊髓损伤大鼠神经功能的修复

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that low-power laser （LPL） irradiation can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves and central nerves, as well as influence cellular proliferation. Therefore, it is thought to be a potential treatment for spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE： Utilizing histological observations and behavioral evaluations, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells （OECs）, irradiated by LPL, on functional repair of rats following transversal spinal cord injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the animal experimental center in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2007 and February 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 52 Sprague Dawley rats were included in this experiment. Twelve rats were used to harvest OECs, some of which were irradiated by LPL on days 3, 5, and 7 in culture. The remaining 40 rats were used to establish T12 complete spinal cord transection injury. DMEM/F12 medium was purchased from Sigma, USA, Fluorogold was provided by Chemicon, USA, and the LY/JG650-D500-16 low-power laser was produced by Xi＇an Lingyue Electromechanical Science And Technology Co., Ltd., China. METHODS： The successful rat models were randomly divided into three groups： OEC transplantation, LPL-irradiated OEC transplantation, and control. These animals were microinjected with OEC suspension, LPL-irradiated OEC suspension, and DMEM/F12 medium （10μL） respectively 4 weeks after spinal cord was completely transected at the T12 level. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Spinal cord injury was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining Expression of nerve growth factor receptor p75 and glial fibrillary acidic protein were determined using immunohistochemical staining. Regeneration of spinal nerve fibers in rats was assayed by Fluorogold retrograde labeling method. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan （BBB） scores were used to evaluate motor functions of rat lower limbs. RESULTS： Structural disturbances were observed following spinal cord injury in each group, and a large amount of scar tissue covered the broken ends, accompanied by porosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Following OEC transplantation, the distal end connected to the proximal end. nerve growth factor receptor p75 and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry revealed positive OECs in the cephalad and caudal area of rats that received LPL-irradiated OEC transplantation. In the OECs group, only glial fibrillary acidic protein staining was observed. No staining was found in the control group. Neural fibers labeled with Fluorogold extended across the lesion area and into the cephalad and caudal area in the OECs and LPL-irradiated OECs groups, but were not present in the control group. BBB scores revealed statistically significant differences among the three groups （P 〈 0.05）： OECs irradiated by LPL group 〉 OECs group 〉 control group. CONCLUSION： Transplantation of OECs and LPL-irradiated OECs promoted functional repair in the injured spinal cord of rats, although LPL-irradiated OECs resulted in greater beneficial effects.     

嗅神经鞘细胞和自体坐骨神经移植修复受损视神经

背景：有研究已初步证明了甲泼尼龙对受损视网膜节细胞的早期保护作用。 目的：观察甲泼尼龙联合嗅神经鞘细胞和自体坐骨神经移植大鼠受损视神经纤维及其髓鞘的形态学及计数变化。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验，于2005-09/2006-03于北京大学医学部神经解剖实验室完成。 材料：选取成年雄性SD大鼠40只，取其中4只做形态学正常对照。 方法：其余36只大鼠按随机数字表法分为6组，即视神经损伤模型组、甲泼尼龙组、嗅神经鞘细胞移植组、嗅神经鞘细胞移植+甲泼尼龙组、坐骨神经移植组、坐骨神经移植+甲泼尼龙组，每组6只。 主要观察指标：取视神经，制作冰冻切片，移植后14，21 d分别从各组切片中随机抽取10张载玻片，对生物素标记的葡聚糖胺染色的视神经纤维及甲苯胺蓝染色的视神经髓鞘进行形态学观察，电镜下对视神经纤维髓鞘进行计数。 结果：顺行追踪剂生物素标记的葡聚糖胺在视神经中的染色结果主要表现为嗅神经鞘细胞移植+甲泼尼龙组、坐骨神经移植+甲泼尼龙组，与视神经损伤模型组相比，神经纤维排列较整齐，发生中晚期溃变的纤维比例较小。移植后14，21 d，甲泼尼龙组视神经纤维髓鞘数量均显著高于视神经损伤模型组(P < 0.05，0.01)。坐骨神经移植+甲泼尼龙组均显著高于坐骨神经移植组(P < 0.05)。嗅神经鞘细胞移植+甲泼尼龙组均显著高于嗅神经鞘细胞移植组(P < 0.05)。 结论：形态学结果表明嗅神经鞘细胞和自体坐骨神经移植与甲泼尼龙的联合作用能激发并增强受损中枢神经的自我保护及修复作用，对视神经纤维及其髓鞘溃变速度有延缓作用。     

Proteomic evaluation reveals that olfactory ensheathing cells but not Schwann cells express calponin

Human clinical trials have begun worldwide that use olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) to ameliorate the functional deficits following spinal cord injury. These trials have been initiated largely because numerous studies have reported that OECs transform into Schwann Cell (SC)-like cells that myelinate axons and support new growth in adult rats with spinal injury. This phenomenon is remarkable because OECs do not myelinate olfactory axons in their native environment. Furthermore, these myelinating OECs are morphologically identical to SCs, which can invade the spinal cord after injury. One factor that has contributed to a possible confusion in the identification of these cells is the lack of phenotypic markers to distinguish unequivocally between OECs and SCs. Such markers are required to first assess the degree of SC contamination in OEC cultures before intraspinal implantation, and then to accurately identify grafted OECs and invading SCs in the injured spinal cord. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we have identified calponin, an actin binding protein, as the first definitive phenotypic marker that distinguishes between OECs and SCs in vitro and in vivo. We have also provided ultrastructural evidence that calponin-immunopositive OECs do not transform into myelinating SC-like cells after intraspinal implantation. Rather, the grafted OECs retain their morphological and neurochemical features. These data yield new insight into the phenotypic characteristics of OECs, which together with invading SCs can enhance regeneration of the injured spinal cord.