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。     

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。     

嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓损伤区勿动蛋白表达的影响

背景：近年来人们认为只要能抑制脊髓损伤后神经再生的不利因素就能促进损伤脊髓的再生，抑制因子包括髓鞘相关抑制分子和胶质瘢痕。其中髓鞘相关抑制分子主要有勿动蛋白、髓磷脂相关糖蛋白及少突起胶质细胞髓鞘相关糖蛋白。 目的：观察嗅鞘细胞移植前后脊髓损伤区勿动蛋白的动态变化。 设计、时间及地点：开放性实验，于2006-09/2007-05在西安交大医学院教育部环境与基因重点实验室完成。 材料：8周龄成年SD大鼠40只，体质量（2.50±0.25）kg，雌雄不拘，随机数字表法分为正常组、模型组、嗅鞘细胞组、DF12对照组，10只/组。另取30只健康成年雄性SD大鼠用于嗅鞘细胞的取材，体质量200~250 g。 方法：除正常组外，其余各组均建立全横切脊髓损伤模型。嗅鞘细胞组将原代培养12 d的嗅鞘细胞悬液调整为1×1011 L-1，在距损伤缘上下各1 mm处分4点应用微量注射器注射，深度1.0 mm，每处各注射1 μL。DF12对照组同法每点注射等量DF12培养液，模型组、正常组不进行任何处理。 主要观察指标：各组分别于移植后1，4，8周采用免疫组织化学技术动态检测脊髓损伤区勿动蛋白的变化。同时在移植后8周行嗜银染色检测组织形态学变化。 结果：①勿动蛋白的变化：正常组勿动蛋白吸光度值明显低于其余3组（P < 0.05）。移植后1，4，8周，嗅鞘细胞组脊髓损伤区勿动蛋白均明显低于模型组和DF12对照组（P < 0.01），而模型组和DF12对照组差异无显著性意义（P > 0.01）。②组织形态学变化：嗅鞘细胞移植8周后，除正常组外，其余各组均可见明显的神经纤维再生，但模型组与DF12对照组大部分纤维排列紊乱，再生纤维方向性较差；嗅鞘细胞组可见明显的新生轴突，且神经纤维跨越损伤部位修复脊髓损伤，无论在数量还是质量上均优于模型组及DF12对照组。 结论：嗅鞘细胞移植可能通过降低脊髓损伤区勿动蛋白水平促进损伤脊髓的修复。     

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。     

嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓慢性压迫形态和脑源性神经营养因子表达的影响

背景：嗅鞘细胞是介于星形胶质细胞和许旺细胞之间的一类特殊的胶质细胞,具有切实有效的促进神经再生修复的作用,但其相关机制还没确定。 目的：观察嗅球成鞘细胞移植对脊髓慢性压迫损伤后脊髓功能形态和脑源性神经营养因子的影响,以及嗅鞘细胞移植后脊髓慢性压迫损伤动物脊髓功能的修复。 设计、时间及地点：对照动物实验，细胞学观察，于2005-11/2007-03在上海中医药大学脊柱病研究所完成。 材料：新生SD雄性大鼠采用酶消化法培养原代大鼠嗅鞘细胞，并将其制成细胞悬液。雄性3月龄SD大鼠以螺钉持续性压迫大鼠C4脊髓建立脊髓慢性压迫动物模型。 方法：造模后大鼠分为模型组、嗅鞘细胞组、DMEM/Ham’s F-12 培养液组、正常组，每组12只。嗅鞘细胞组在距离脊髓压迫区域上下0.5 mm处选4点注射,按1μL/点脊髓内注射109 L-1嗅鞘细胞，注入速度为1μL/ min。 主要观察指标：应用光学显微镜、电子显微镜观察脊髓形态的变化，采用免疫组织化学、PT-PCR 的方法检测脊髓组织脑源性神经营养因子的分泌，以改良的Gale联合行为评分法对脊髓功能进行评定， 结果：免疫组织化学检测显示，嗅鞘细胞移植能部分改善大鼠脊髓灰质神经细胞的凋亡程度，延缓白质神经纤维的减少，促进髓鞘的修复与再生。与模型组、DMEM/Ham’s F-12 培养液组比较， 嗅鞘细胞移植治疗后脊髓组织中脑源性神经营养因子表达明显增加（P < 0.01）。与模型组、DMEM/Ham’s F-12 培养液组比较，嗅鞘细胞移植能较大程度的改善大鼠脊髓功能（P < 0.05）。 结论：嗅鞘移植能够部分改善脊髓损伤后脊髓组织的病理形态，促进脊髓组织中脑源性神经营养因子的表达，减轻脊髓慢性压迫后的功能损害。     

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。     

嗅鞘细胞移植脊髓损伤大鼠NG2的表达

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治疗脊髓损伤修复取得了一定的进展。NG2是主要的硫酸软骨素蛋白多糖分子,对轴突有抑制作用。 目的：观察嗅鞘细胞移植对脊髓损伤大鼠NG2表达的影响,进一步分析嗅鞘细胞移植在修复脊髓损伤中的作用途径。 方法：将112只大鼠随机分为4组,空白组、模型组、嗅鞘细胞移植组及DF12组各28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;其他3组应用脊髓横切法制作脊髓损伤动物模型。嗅鞘细胞移植组进行嗅鞘细胞移植,每侧断端植入20 000 cells;DF12组于相同部位注射DF12培养液。在大鼠脊髓损伤后1,3,7,14,28,42和56 d时,取材按照SP试剂盒的操作步骤检测NG2的表达。 结果与结论：空白组NG2呈低表达,在模型组、DF12组脊髓损伤24 h后损伤部位的NG2的表达开始升高,7 d时达到顶点,4周时NG2表达明显降低,6,8周时仅在局部有所表达。嗅鞘细胞移植组脊髓损伤1 d时NG2表达开始增加,主要在损伤部位,在各时间点与模型组、DF12组相比NG2表达水平明显降低,但高于空白组NG2各时间点的表达。提示嗅鞘细胞移植后NG2的表达水平降低,嗅鞘细胞具有抑制NG2表达的作用,可消除或减轻细胞外基质中对轴突有抑制作用的化学屏障,这可能是其治疗脊髓损伤促进轴突再生的机制之一。     

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。     

低能激光照射及嗅鞘细胞移植在脊髓损伤中的应用

脊髓损伤是一种严重危害人类健康的疾病，因其少突胶质细胞不能形成轴突迁移引导的通道，并分泌抑制因子，以及星形胶质细胞在损伤区快速反应性增生形成胶质瘢痕，抑制轴突的生长，使脊髓损伤的治疗成为目前医学领域的一个棘手问题。嗅鞘细胞具有良好的轴突再生和准确形成靶特异性突轴连接的能力；低能激光照射对神经系统及嗅鞘细胞的作用包括，保留甚至促进受损神经元的活性，减少瘢痕的形成，阻止神经元的退行性改变，又能通过干拢一些因素而增强嗅鞘细胞的活性。嗅鞘细胞移植及低能激光照射在脊髓损伤的修复中具有重要的作用。     

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells promotes axonal regeneration in a rat model of spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND:Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) into the injured spinal cord has been shown to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery.However,the mechanisms underlying the effects of OEC transplantation remain controversial.OBJECTIVE:To observe fibrotic scar formation and axonal regeneration in the damaged spinal cord following OEC transplantation,and to determine whether OEC transplantation promotes neural regeneration by attenuating fibrotic scar formation.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A randomized,controlled animal experiment was performed at the Department of Developmental Morphology,Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience,Fuchu,Japan and at the Department of Human Anatomy,College of Basic Medical Sciences,China Medical University,China between April 2007 and May 2009.MATERIALS:OECs were obtained from olfactory nerves and olfactory bulbs of male,4-week-old,Sprague Dawley rats.Rabbit anti-serotonin polyclonal antibody,rabbit anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide polyclonal antibody,rabbit anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein polyclonal antibody,rabbit anti-type IV collagen polyclonal antibody,and mouse anti-rat endothelial cell antigen-1 monoclonal antibody were used.METHODS:Male,Sprague Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into three groups:sham-surgery (n = 3),surgery (n = 9),and OEC transplantation (n = 11).Spinal cord transection at the T9-10 level was performed and the rats were transplanted with a 2-μL (1 × 105 cells) cell suspension.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Formation of glial and fibrotic scars was examined using immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and type IV collagen.Serotonin-positive and calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive axons were visualized by immunohistochemistry,respectively.Double immunofluorescence for type IV collagen and rat endothelial cell antigen-1 was also performed to determine co-localization of type IV collagen deposition and blood vessels.RESULTS:At 1 week after spinal cord injury,numerous glial cells were observed around the lesion site.Formation of fibrotic scar was determined by a large amount of type IV collagen deposition in the lesion center,and descending serotonin- or ascending calcitonin gene-related peptideconiaining axons stopped at the fibrotic scar that was formed in the lesion site.At week after transplantation,the formation of fibrotic scar was significantly inhibited.In addition,the fibrotic structure was partly formed and centralized in the blood vessel,and serotonergic and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing axons were regenerated across the lesion site.CONCLUSION:OEC transplantation into the injured spinal cord attenuated fibrotic scar formation and promoted axon regeneration.     

Regeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons after transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells and fibroblasts prevents fibrotic scar formation at the lesion site

The fibrotic scar formed after central nervous system injury has been considered an obstacle to axonal regeneration. The present study was designed to examine whether cell transplantation into a damaged central nervous system can reduce fibrotic scar formation and promote axonal regeneration. Nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons were unilaterally transected in rats and cultures of olfactory-ensheathing cells (OECs), and olfactory nerve fibroblasts were transplanted into the lesion site. In the absence of transplants, few tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons extended across the lesion 2 weeks after the transection. Reactive astrocytes increased around the lesion, and a fibrotic scar containing type IV collagen deposits developed in the lesion center. The immunoreactivity of chondroitin sulfate side chains and core protein of NG2 proteoglycan increased in and around the lesion. One and 2 weeks after transection and simultaneous transplantation, dopaminergic axons regenerated across the transplanted tissues, which consisted of p75-immunoreactive OECs and fibronectin-immunoreactive fibroblasts. Reactive astrocytes and chondroitin sulfate immunoreactivity increased around the transplants, whereas the deposition of type IV collagen and fibrotic scar formation were completely prevented at the lesion site. Transplantation of meningeal fibroblasts similarly prevented the formation of the fibrotic scar, although its effect on regeneration was less potent than transplantation of OECs and olfactory nerve fibroblasts. The present results suggest that elimination of the inhibitory fibrotic scar is important for neural regeneration.     

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells or Schwann cells restores rapid and secure conduction across the transected spinal cord

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or Schwann cells were transplanted into the transected dorsal columns of the rat spinal cord to induce axonal regeneration. Electrophysiological recordings were obtained in an isolated spinal cord preparation. Without transplantation of cells, no impulse conduction was observed across the transection site; but following cell transplantation, impulse conduction was observed for over a centimeter beyond the lesion. Cell labelling indicated that the regenerated axons were derived from the appropriate neuronal source, and that donor cells migrated into the denervated host tract. As reported in previous studies, the number of regenerated axons was limited. Conduction velocity measurements and morphology indicated that the regenerated axons were myelinated, but conducted faster and had larger axon areas than normal axons. These results indicate that the regenerated spinal cord axons induced by cell transplantation provide a quantitatively limited but rapidly conducting new pathway across the transection site.     

Inhibition of collagen synthesis overrides the age-related failure of regeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons

To investigate the mechanism of the age-related failure of regeneration of transected axons, nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons were unilaterally transected in the lateral hypothalamus in adult mice and in immature mice aged postnatal days 7, 14, and 21. Ten days after the transection, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons had regenerated from caudally to rostrally across the lesion site in mice transected at postnatal day 7, whereas they stopped and did not extend across the lesion site in mice transected at postnatal day 14 or older. Reactive astrocytes bearing chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans were observed around the lesion in mice transected at all ages. However, a fibrotic scar containing type IV collagen-immunoreactive deposits, which was consistently formed at the lesion site in mice transected at postnatal day 14 or older, was not formed in mice lesioned at postnatal day 7. When 2,2'-dipyridyl, an inhibitor of collagen synthesis, was injected into the lesion site at the time of transection in both postnatal day 14 and adult mice, the deposition of type IV collagen and the formation of a fibrotic scar were completely prevented, and large numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons extended across the lesion and reinnervated the striatum. These results imply that the fibrotic scar formed in the lesion site is a crucial impediment to the regeneration of ascending dopaminergic axons in adult mice and suggest that type IV collagen is required for the development of the fibrotic response to adult brain injury.     

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.     

Chronically injured corticospinal axons do not cross large spinal lesion gaps after a multifactorial transplantation strategy using olfactory ensheathing cell/olfactory nerve fibroblast-biomatrix bridges

Transplantation of mixed cultures containing olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) and olfactory nerve fibroblasts (ONF) has been shown to stimulate regrowth of both acutely and chronically injured corticospinal (CS) axons across small spinal cord lesion gaps. Here, we used a multifactorial transplantation strategy to stimulate regrowth of chronically injured CS axons across large spinal cord lesion gaps. This strategy combined the transplantation of aligned OEC/ONF-biomatrix complexes, as described previously (Deumens et al. [2004] Neuroscience 125:591-604), within the lesion gap with additional OEC/ONF injections rostral and caudal to the lesion site. We show an enhanced presence of injured CS axons directly rostral to the lesion gap, with no effects on injured CS axons at or caudal to the lesion gap. Furthermore, injured CS axons did not penetrate the OEC/ONF-biomatrix complex within the lesion gap. The enhanced presence of CS axons rostral to the lesion gap was not accompanied by any recovery of behavioral parameters assessed with the BBB locomotor rating scale or CatWalk gait analysis. We conclude that our multifactorial transplantation strategy should be optimized to create an OEC/ONF continuum in the injured spinal cord and thereby stimulate regrowth of injured CS axons across large spinal lesion gaps.     

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.     

Regeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons by degradation of chondroitin sulfate is accompanied by elimination of the fibrotic scar and glia limitans in the lesion site

Chondroitin sulfate increases around a lesion site after central nervous system injury and is believed to be an impediment to axonal regeneration, because administration of chondroitinase ABC, a chondroitin sulfate-degrading enzyme, promotes axonal regeneration of central neurons. To examine the physiological role of chondroitin sulfate up-regulation after injury, the nigrostriatal dopaminergic axons were unilaterally transected in mice, and chondroitinase ABC was then injected into the lesion site. In mice transected only, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons did not extend across the lesion at 1 or 2 weeks after the transection. Immunoreactivities of chondroitin sulfate side chains and core protein of NG2 proteoglycan increased in and around the lesion site, and a fibrotic scar containing type IV collagen deposits developed in the lesion center. In contrast, in mice transected and treated with chondroitinase ABC, numerous tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons were regenerated across the lesion at 1 and 2 weeks after the transection. In these animals, chondroitin sulfate immunoreactivity remarkably decreased, and immunoreactivity of 2B6 antibody, which recognizes the stub of degraded chondroitin sulfate side chains, was enhanced. Furthermore, the formation of a fibrotic scar and a glia limitans that surrounds the former was completely prevented, although type IV collagen immunoreactivity remained in newly formed blood capillaries around the lesion site. We discuss the question of whether the chondroitin sulfate is acting as a direct inhibitor of axonal regeneration or whether the observed changes are due to a prevention of the fibrotic scar formation and a rearrangement of astrocytic membranes.     

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.     

Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation alters the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and promotes axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury

Cell transplantation is a potential treatment for spinal cord injury. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) play an active role in the repair of spinal cord injury as a result of the dual characteristics of astrocytes and Schwann cells. However, the specific mechanisms of repair remain poorly understood. In the present study, a rat model of spinal cord injury was established by transection of T10. OECs were injected into the site, 1 mm from the spinal cord stump. To a certain extent, OEC transplantation restored locomotor function in the hindlimbs of rats with spinal cord injury, but had no effect on the formation or volume of glial scars. In addition, OEC transplantation reduced the immunopositivity of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (neural/glial antigen 2 and neurocan) and glial fibrillary acidic protein at the injury site, and increased the immunopositivity of growth-associated protein 43 and neurofilament. These findings suggest that OEC transplantation can regulate the expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the spinal cord, inhibit scar formation caused by the excessive proliferation of glial cells, and increase the numbers of regenerated nerve fibers, thus promoting axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury. The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Medical College of Xi’an Jiaotong University, China (approval No. 2018-2048) on September 9, 2018.

Chinese Library Classification No. R456; R741; Q636.1