许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶移植修复大鼠脊髓损伤*

目的：观察许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶移植对大鼠脊髓损伤后细胞凋亡、Bcl-2表达及下肢运动功能恢复的影响。 方法：清洁级SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组、单纯损伤组、许旺细胞组、许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶组。后3组制作脊髓全横断损伤模型。正常对照组、单纯损伤组不进行移植处理,许旺细胞组植入吸附许旺细胞悬液的明胶海绵块、许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶组植入许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶。分别于 12 h,1,3,7,21 d对动物进行BBB评分后处死,取损伤区脊髓节段制成石蜡切片进行TUNEL、Bcl-2染色,观察脊髓内凋亡细胞、Bcl-2细胞的数量及分布变化。 结果：正常对照组仅有少量淡染Bcl-2阳性细胞;单纯损伤组神经元Bcl-2免疫反应阳性细胞表达的高峰在第3天,14 d时Bcl-2免疫反应阳性细胞表达接近正常水平。许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶移植后损伤脊髓细胞Bcl-2免疫反应阳性细胞表达具有显著增高(P < 0.05),7 d高度表达并持续2周以上。单纯损伤组脊髓内细胞凋亡最多,并于损伤后1,7 d形成两个高峰,多分布于白质中。许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶组BBB评分较单纯损伤组及许旺细胞组明显提高(P < 0.05)。 结论：许旺细胞-海藻酸钠凝胶移植能抑制大鼠脊髓损伤后脊髓细胞凋亡、促进Bcl-2的表达,提高了脊髓运动功能的恢复,但未达到正常水平。 关键词：脊髓损伤;细胞凋亡;许旺细胞;Bcl-2     

In vivo tracking of neuronal-like cells by magnetic resonance in rabbit models of spinal cord injury

In vitro experiments have demonstrated that neuronal-like cells derived from bone marrow mesen- chymal stem cells can survive, migrate, integrate and help to restore the function and behaviors of spinal cord injury models, and that they may serve as a suitable approach to treating spinal cord injury. However, it is very difficult to track transplanted cells in vivo. In this study, we injected su- perparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled neuronal-like cells into the subarachnoid space in a rabbit model of spinal cord injury. At 7 days after cell transplantation, a small number of dot-shaped low signal intensity shadows were observed in the spinal cord injury region, and at 14 days, the number of these shadows increased on T2-weighted imaging. Perl＇s Prussian blue staining detected dot-shaped low signal intensity shadows in the spinal cord injury region, indicative of superpara- magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-labeled cells. These findings suggest that transplanted neu- ronal-like cells derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can migrate to the spinal cord injury region and can be tracked by magnetic resonance in vivo. Magnetic resonance imaging represents an efficient noninvasive technique for visually tracking transplanted cells in vivo.     

Effects of Schwann cell transplantation in a contusion model of rat spinal cord injury

Cultured Schwann cells were transplanted at various delays into a spinal cord contusion injury performed at low thoracic level in adult female rats. The Schwann cells were purified from the dorsal root ganglia of adult syngeneic animals. The transplants were well tolerated, and the transplanted Schwann cells invaded the injured spinal cord. As quantified using video image analysis, the survival and growth of the transplanted cells were poor when the grafting procedure was performed 3–4 days after injury and very good when performed immediately or 10 days after injury, in which cases post-traumatic micro- and macrocavitation were strongly reduced. In animals grafted immediately after injury but not in animals grafted after 10 days, post-traumatic astrogliosis was much reduced. The Schwann cells transplanted area was invaded by numerous regenerating axons, the vast majority of which were, based on the neurotransmitter (CGRP and SP) profile, originating from dorsal root ganglion. No regeneration of the cortico-spinal tract as assessed after anterograde tracing or of descending aminergic fibers could be demonstrated. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

移植时间对大鼠视神经损伤后神经干细胞迁移的影响

目的探讨移植时间对大鼠视神经损伤后神经干细胞(NSCs)在视网膜内迁移的影响。方法 18只SD大鼠行右侧视神经损伤后按随机数字表法随机平均分为3组,并分别于损伤后当天及伤后7d和14d采用微量注射法行右眼视网膜下腔移植2μl(105个/μl)转染绿色荧光蛋白基因的NSCs(GFP-NSCs)。4周后处死大鼠,取右眼球做冰冻切片,对迁移到视网膜内的移植细胞进行计数。各组切片分别用胸腺细胞表面糖蛋白、胶质纤维酸性蛋白、β微管蛋白、视紫红质抗体进行免疫标记,观察各组移植细胞在视网膜上的分化情况。结果损伤当天及伤后7和14d移植组视网膜上的GFP阳性细胞数分别为(163441.14±16876.81)个、(145736.57±27449.07)个和(117291.33±15849.19)个,两两相较,均差异显著(P<0.01)。三组的移植细胞均可在宿主视网膜内存活、迁移,且可分化为神经胶质细胞、神经元和视网膜神经节样细胞。结论大鼠视神经损伤后随着移植时间的推迟,迁移到宿主视网膜内的移植细胞量下降。     

Transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells promotes functional improvement and increased expression of neurotrophic factors in a rat focal cerebral ischemia model

Previous studies have suggested that intravenous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rat ischemia models reduces ischemia‐induced brain damage. Here, we analyzed the expression of neurotrophic factors in transplanted human MSCs and host brain tissue in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemia model. At 1 day after transient MCAO, 3 × 10⁶ immortalized human MSC line (B10) cells or PBS was intravenously transplanted. Behavioral tests, infarction volume, and B10 cell migration were investigated at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after MCAO. The expression of endogenous (rat origin) and exogenous (human origin) neurotorphic factors and cytokines was evaluated by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. Compared with PBS controls, rats receiving MSC transplantation showed improved functional recovery and reduced brain infarction volume at 7 and 14 days after MCAO. In MSC‐transplanted brain, among many neurotrofic factors, only human insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) was detected in the core and ischemic border zone at 3 days after MCAO, whereas host cells expressed markedly higher neurotrophic factors (rat origin) than control rats, especially vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 3 days and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) at 7 days after MCAO. Intravenously transplanted human MSCs induced functional improvement, reduced infarct volume, and neuroprotection in ischemic rats, possibly by providing IGF‐1 and inducing VEGF, EGF, and bFGF neurotrophic factors in host brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

骨髓基质干细胞移植对脑损伤大鼠神经行为学和血管再生的影响

目的探索移植骨髓基质干细胞(BMSCs)对局灶性脑损伤大鼠的神经功能修复的作用及血管再生的影响,探讨BMSCs移植促进大鼠脑损伤修复的机制。方法 30只大鼠制备大鼠局灶性脑损伤动物模型,随机分为假手术组、脑损伤组和BMSCs移植组,每组10只大鼠。取供体鼠BMSCs,体外扩增,DAPI荧光标记。在脑立体定向仪引导下将BMSCs移植到脑损伤大鼠局部损伤灶边缘,于3d、7d及14d通过观察大鼠神经行为能力的变化,评价移植细胞后大鼠神经功能的修复情况;14d后取脑组织荧光显微镜观察移植细胞存活的情况,采用免疫组化法检测脑组织微血管密度(MVD)来评估血管再生情况、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、血管内皮生长因子受体(Flt-1、Flk-1)的蛋白表达情况。结果脑损伤组和BMSCs移植组于移植后3d时神经行为学评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而在移植后7d、14d,BMSCs移植组与脑损伤组在神经行为学评分指标上差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。BMSCs移植组与脑损伤组比较,脑组织微血管密度明显增加,VEGF和Flt-1、Flk-1表达明显增加。结论骨髓基质干细胞移植后可促进脑损伤大鼠神经功能的恢复,其机制可能与其增加VEGF和Flt-1、Flk-1表达促进血管再生有关。     

Decreased numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells are associated with hyperglycemia in patients with traumatic brain injury

Hyperglycemia reduces the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, accelerates their senescence and impairs their function.However, the relationship between blood glucose levels and endothelial progenitor cells in peripheral blood of patients with traumatic brain injury is unclear. In this study, 101 traumatic brain injury patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital or the Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, China, were enrolled from April 2005 to March 2007. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and blood glucose levels were measured at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after traumatic brain injury by flow cytometry and automatic biochemical analysis, respectively. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and blood sugar levels in 37 healthy control subjects were also examined. Compared with controls, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in traumatic brain injury patients was decreased at 1 day after injury, and then increased at 4 days after injury,and reached a peak at 7 days after injury. Compared with controls, blood glucose levels in traumatic brain injury patients peaked at 1 day and then decreased until 7 days and then remained stable. At 1, 4, and 7 days after injury, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells was negatively correlated with blood sugar levels(r =-0.147, P 0.05). Our results verify that hyperglycemia in patients with traumatic brain injury is associated with decreased numbers of circulating endothelial progenitor cells. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, China(approval No. 200501) in January 2015.     

Transplanted human embryonic neural stem cells survive,migrate, differentiate and increase endogenous nestin expression in adult rat cortical peri‐infarction zone

Transplantation of stem cells is a potential therapeutic strategy for stroke damage. The survival, migration, and differentiation of transplanted human embryonic neural stem cells in the acute post‐ischemic environment were characterized and endogenous nestin expression after transplantation was investigated. Human embryonic neural stem cells obtained from the temporal lobe cortex were cultured and labeled with fluorescent 1,1′‐dioctadecy‐6,6′‐di (4‐sulfopheyl)‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanin (DiI) in vitro. Labeled cells were transplanted into cortical peri‐infarction zones of adult rats 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Survival, migration, and differentiation of grafted cells were quantified in immunofluorescence‐stained sections from rats sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation. Endogenous nestin‐positive cells in the cortical peri‐infarction zone were counted at serial time points. The cells transplanted into the cortical peri‐infarction zone displayed the morphology of living cells and became widely located around the ischemic area. Moreover, some of the transplanted cells expressed nestin, GFAP, or NeuN in the peri‐infarction zone. Furthermore, compared with the control group, endogenous nestin‐positive cells in the peri‐infarction zone had increased significantly 7 days after cell transplantation. These results confirm the survival, migration, and differentiation of transplanted cells in the acute post‐ischemic environment and enhanced endogenous nestin expression within a brief time window. These findings indicate that transplantation of neural stem cells into the peri‐infarction zone may be performed as early as 24 h after ischemia.     

Electroacupuncture improves neurological deficits and enhances proliferation and differentiation of endogenous nerve stem cells in rats with focal cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out to observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on neurological deficits, proliferation and differentiation of nerve stem cells (NSCs) in adult rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and to study its possible role in the treatment of cerebral ischemic injury.

Methods: A rat model of MCAO was established and interfered with EA. On days 4, 7, 14 and 21 after ischemic injury, neurological deficits were scored. On days 4, 7, 14 and 21 after injury, effect of EA interference on the proliferation and differentiation of rat NSCs was observed with BrdU/NeuN and BrdU/GFAP immunofluorescence double labeling.

Results: A significant difference was found in the scores of rat neurological deficits between the EA and model groups 7, 14 and 21 days after cerebral ischemic injury (p<0·05). BrdU positive cells were found in the subventricular zone (SVZ) 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after ischemic injury. The number of positive BrdU cells in the SVZ reached its peak 7 days after injury and was greater in the EA group than in the model group 7 and 14 days after injury (p<0·05). The number of BrdU/GFAP doubly labeled positive cells in the SVZ was greater in the EA group than in the model group 7 and 14 days after ischemic injury (p = 0·012 and p = 0·025, respectively). There was no difference in the number of BrdU/NeuN doubly labeled positive cells 4, 7 and 14 days in the striatum, but a significant difference 21 days (p = 0·033) after ischemic injury between the two groups.

Discussion: Cerebral ischemic injury induces proliferation of NSCs, some of which will differentiate into both astroglia and neurons. EA may promote cells proliferation, stimulate the proliferating cells to differentiate into astroglia and mature into neurons, which may be one of the important reasons why EA can alleviate neurological deficits.     

New vascular tissue rapidly replaces neural parenchyma and vessels destroyed by a contusion injury to the rat spinal cord.

Blood vessels identified by laminin staining were studied in uninjured spinal cord and at 2, 4, 7, and 14 days following a moderate contusion (weight drop) injury. At 2 days after injury most blood vessels had been destroyed in the lesion epicenter; neurons and astrocytes were also absent, and few ED1+ cells were seen infiltrating the lesion center. By 4 days, laminin associated with vessel staining was increased and ED1+ cells appeared to be more numerous in the lesion. By 7 days after injury, the new vessels formed a continuous cordon oriented longitudinally through the lesion center. ED1+ cells were abundant at this time point and were found in the same area as the newly formed vessels. Astrocyte migration from the margins of the lesion into the new cordon was apparent. By 14 days, a decrease in the number of vessels in the lesion center was observed; in contrast, astrocytes were more prominent in those areas. In addition to providing a blood supply to the lesion site, protecting the demise of the newly formed vascular bridge might provide an early scaffold to hasten axonal regeneration across the injury site.     

Jisuikang,a Chinese herbal formula,increases neurotrophic factor expression and promotes the recovery of neurological function after spinal cord injur y

The Chinese medicine compound, Jisuikang, can promote recovery of neurological function by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, scavenging oxygen free radicals, and effectively improving the local microenvironment after spinal cord injury. However, the mechanism remains unclear. Thus, we established a rat model of acute spinal cord injury using a modified version of Allen's method. Jisuikang(50, 25, and 12.5 g/kg/d) and prednisolone were administered 30 minutes after anesthesia. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale scores and the oblique board test showed improved motor function recovery in the prednisone group and moderate-dose Jisuikang group compared with the other groups at 3–7 days post-injury. The rats in the moderate-dose Jisuikang group recovered best at 14 days post-injury. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy showed that the survival rate of neurons in treatment groups increased after 3–7 days of administration. Further, the structure of neurons and glial cells was more distinct, especially in prednisolone and moderate-dose Jisuikang groups. Western blot assay and immunohistochemistry showed that expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in injured segments was maintained at a high level after 7–14 days of treatment. In contrast, expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) was down-regulated at 7 days after spinal cord injury. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that expression of BDNF and NGF m RNA was induced in injured segments by prednisolone and Jisuikang. At 3–7 days after injury, the effect of prednisolone was greater, while 14 days after injury, the effect of moderate-dose Jisuikang was greater. These results confirm that Jisuikang can upregulate BDNF and NGF expression for a prolonged period after spinal cord injury and promote repair of acute spinal cord injury, with its effect being similar to prednisolone.     

人脐带间充质干细胞移植对大鼠脊髓损伤神经功能恢复的评价

目的 观察人脐带间充质干细胞（human umbilical cordmesenchymal stem cell，hUCMSC）移植对大鼠脊髓损伤神经功能恢复的影响。方法 SD大鼠70只，随机分为3组：脊髓半切＋hUCMSC组（n=30）、脊髓半切＋PBS组（n=30）和假手术组（n=10）。脊髓半切＋hUCMSC组和PBS组又分为头侧注射、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，应用免疫组化检测移植到脊髓的hUCMSC胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）和神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）表达情况。结果 大鼠脊髓半切损害后，hUCMSC组动物较PBS组有明显的神经功能恢复。植入后28d在宿主脊髓中存活的hUCMSC细胞MABl281（mouse antiuman nuclei monoclonal antibody）染色阳性，免疫组化双标染色显示MABl28l阳性细胞亦分别有NSE或GFAP表达并向损伤部位迁移，hUCMSC来源的GFAP阳性细胞可见明显的树突生长。结论 hUCMSC移植到宿主损伤脊髓后可以存活、向损伤部位迁移，并向神经元样和星形胶质细胞分化，且可促进大鼠脊髓损伤后神经功能恢复。hUCMSC作为一种来源广泛的干细胞用于治疗脊髓损伤可能具有重要的价值。     

移植神经干细胞的存活与迁移：电刺激小脑顶核可提高移植效率吗？**

背景：缺血早期半暗带中神经元和内皮细胞的坏死和凋亡无法得到缓解,加之移植后的存活率低,向功能细胞的分化率低,是单纯神经干细胞移植的缺陷。课题组提出整体干预理念,期望给移植细胞提供优化的整体环境。 目的：观察神经干细胞移植与电刺激小脑顶核相结合整体干预对移植神经干细胞存活与迁移的影响。 方法：体外分离、培养新生Wistar大鼠海马表皮生长因子反应性神经干细胞,Brdu标记,并用胎牛血清诱导,观察其多向分化潜能;80只Wistar大鼠分为4组：顶核刺激+神经干细胞移植组(n=32)：左侧小脑顶核刺激24 h后行右侧大脑中动脉梗死,再24 h后将神经干细胞立体定向注入右侧侧脑室内;顶核刺激组(n=8)：PBS代替神经干细胞,其余同顶核刺激+神经干细胞移植组;单纯神经干细胞移植组(n=32)：同心圆电极插入小脑顶核,不通电其余同顶核刺激+神经干细胞移植组;对照组(n=8)：同心圆电极插入小脑顶核后不通电,其余同顶核刺激组。记录梗死后6,24 h,3,7,14,28 d大鼠的神经功能;分别在移植后3,7,14,28 d处死大鼠,以梗死灶为中心切片,Brdu免疫组织化学染色,观察移植神经干细胞的存活与迁移。 结果与结论：分离培养的表皮生长因子反应性细胞表达nestin抗原,并有自我更新及多向分化潜能,在胎牛血清诱导下可分化为神经胶质细胞和神经元。经Brdu标记后,85%以上神经干细胞表达Brdu抗原。移植28 d内顶核刺激+神经干细胞移植组功能评分明显优于与其他3组(P < 0.05~0.01)。顶核刺激+神经干细胞移植组在移植14,28 d存活细胞数明显多于单纯神经干细胞移植组;提示电刺激小脑顶核可显著提高移植神经干细胞的存活率及大脑中动脉梗死大鼠的神经功能评分;优化的整体环境可提高移植神经干细胞对局灶性脑缺血损伤细胞的替代作用。     

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     

Temporal and Spatial Expression of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor after Peripheral Nerve Injury

Schwann cells in the intact sciatic nerve express high amounts of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), but 7 days after injury to the nerve expression dramatically decreases. To determine whether this change occurs only in the region of the injury or throughout the whole nerve we examined the spatial and temporal expression of CNTF after a crush injury. One day after injury the amount of CNTF mRNA and protein decreased within the first 4 mm distal to the crush site. This decrease progressed in a centrifugal manner distally until mRNA and protein were scarcely detectable by 7 days. In nerve proximal to the crush site CNTF expression decreased slightly and was still detectable at all sample times. During regeneration CNTF expression remained very low up to 14 days after injury. By 30 days mRNA and protein were detectable and by 60 days CNTF protein was present at normal amounts. Immunohistochemical analysis of normal nerve revealed CNTF localized in outer portion of the cytoplasm of myelin-forming Schwann cells. Three days after injury CNTF coalesced with pockets of cytoplasm in the Schwann cell and by 5 days was barely detectable. Positive staining remained in proximal segments where little or no degeneration occurred. These results demonstrate that CNTF expression in Schwann cells is synchronized with their functional state. CNTF expression decreases with demyelination during Wallerian degeneration and returns to normal following remyelination during regeneration. These findings also suggest that CNTF expression requires intact axon-Schwann cell interactions.     

Enhanced axonal regeneration following combined demyelination plus schwann cell transplantation therapy in the injured adult spinal cord.

We have treated spinal cord injured rats with demyelination plus Schwann cell transplantation and assessed neurite outgrowth in a quantifiable model of axonal regeneration. Axonal injuries of differing severity were induced in the dorsal funiculus of adult rats using a micromanipulator-controlled Scouten knife. Demyelinated regions were produced so as to overlap with the injury site by the injection of galactocerebroside antibodies plus complement one segment cranial to the axonal injury site. Schwann cells were isolated from the sciatic nerve, expanded in vitro, and transplanted into the injury site 1 day later. Animals were killed after an additional 7 days. Schwann cells were evenly distributed throughout the region of demyelination, which extended 6-7 mm cranial to the axonal injury site. The severity of axonal injury was quantified by counting degenerate axons in transverse resin sections. The degree of axonal regeneration was assessed by an electron microscopic analysis of growth cone frequency and distribution relative to the site of axonal injury. Quantification of growth cones at a distance from the site of axonal injury indicated a strong linear relationship (P < 0.001) between the number of growth cones and the number of severed axons; the ratio of growth cones to severed axons was increased by 26.5% in demyelinated plus transplanted animals compared to demyelinated animals without a transplant. Furthermore, only the demyelinated plus transplanted animals contained growth cones associated with myelin in white matter immediately outside of the region of complete demyelination. Growth cones were absent in transplanted-only animals at a distance from the site of axonal injury. These findings indicate that combined demyelination plus Schwann cell transplantation therapy enhances axonal regeneration following injury and suggests that growth cones are able to overcome myelin-associated inhibitors of neurite outgrowth in the presence of trophic support.     

Primate embryonic stem cell-derived neuronal progenitors transplanted into ischemic brain.

Transplantation of stem cells has the possibility of restoring neural functions after stroke damage. Therefore, we transplanted neuronal progenitors generated from monkey embryonic stem (ES) cells into the ischemic mouse brain to test this possibility. Monkey ES cells were caused to differentiate into neuronal progenitors by the stromal cell-derived inducing activity method. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the middle cerebral artery by the intraluminal filament technique. The donor cells were transplanted into the ischemic lateral striatum at 24 h after the start of reperfusion. The cells transplanted into the ischemic brain became located widely around the ischemic area, and, moreover, the transplanted cells differentiated into various types of neurons and glial cells. Furthermore, at 28 days after the transplantation, over 10 times more cells in the graft were labeled with Fluorogold (FG) by stereotactic focal injection of FG into the anterior thalamus and substantia nigra on the grafted side when compared with the number at 14 days. From these results we confirmed the survival and differentiation of, as well as network formation by, monkey ES-cell-derived neuronal progenitors transplanted into the ischemic mouse brain.     

Upregulation of annexins I, II, and V after traumatic spinal cord injury in adult rats

The posttraumatic inflammatory reaction contributes to progressive tissue damage after spinal cord injury (SCI). Annexins, a family of structurally related calcium- and phospholipid-binding proteins, have potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), a key enzyme responsible for inflammation and cytotoxicity. We investigated spatiotemporal expression of annexins I, II, and V after a contusive SCI using the New York University impact device (a 10-g rod, height 12.5 mm) in adult rats. Western blot analysis revealed that annexin I expression increased at 3 days after injury, peaked at 7 days (1.75-fold above the baseline level; P < 0.01), started to decline at 14 days, and returned to the baseline level at and beyond 28 days post-injury. The expression of annexin II started to increase at 3 days, reached its maximal level at 14 days (2.73-fold; P < 0.01), remained at a high level up to 28 days, and then declined to the basal level by 56 days after injury. Annexin V expression started at 3 days, reached its maximal level at 7 days (1.61-fold; P < 0.05) and remained at this level until 56 days after injury. RT-PCR results confirmed expression of all three annexins at the mRNA level after SCI. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double-labeling analyses revealed that increased annexins I, II, and V were localized in neurons and glial cells. The present study thus revealed increased expression of the three annexin isoforms after moderate contusive SCI. The precise role of annexins in posttraumatic inflammation and neuroprotection after SCI remains to be determined.     

Endoplasmic reticulum stress transducer old astrocyte specifically induced substance contributes to astrogliosis after spinal cord injury

Old astrocyte specifically induced substance(OASIS) is an endoplasmic reticulum(ER) stress transducer specifically expressed in astrocytes and osteoblasts. OASIS regulates the differentiation of neural precursor cells into astrocytes in the central nervous system. This study aimed to elucidate the involvement of ER stress responses stimulated via OASIS in astrogliosis following spinal cord injury. In a mouse model of spinal cord contusion injury, OASIS m RNA and protein expression were evaluated at days 7 and 14. A significant increase in OASIS m RNA on day 7 and an increase in protein on days 7 and 14 was observed in injured spinal cords. Immunostaining on day 7 revealed co-localization of OASIS and astrocytes in the periphery of the injury site. Furthermore, anti-OASIS small interfering RNA(si RNA) was injected at the injury sites on day 5 to elucidate the function of OASIS. Treatment with anti-OASIS si RNA caused a significant decrease in OASIS m RNA on day 7 and protein on days 7 and 14, and was associated with the inhibition of astrogliosis and hindlimb motor function recovery. Results of our study show that OASIS expression synchronizes with astrogliosis and is functionally associated with astrogliosis after spinal cord injury.     

Cortical neurogenesis in adult rats after ischemic brain injury: most new neurons fail to mature

The present study examines the hypothesis that endogenous neural progenitor cells isolated from the neocortex of ischemic brain can differentiate into neurons or glial cells and contribute to neural regeneration. We performed middle cerebral artery occlusion to establish a model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in adult rats. Immunohistochemical staining of the cortex 1, 3, 7, 14 or 28 days after injury revealed that neural progenitor cells double-positive for nestin and sox-2 appeared in the injured cortex 1 and 3 days post-injury, and were also positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. New neurons were labeled using bromodeoxyuridine and different stages of maturity were identified using doublecortin, microtubule-associated protein 2 and neuronal nuclei antigen immunohistochemistry. Immature new neurons coexpressing doublecortin and bromodeoxyuridine were observed in the cortex at 3 and 7 days post-injury, and semi-mature and mature new neurons double-positive for microtubule-associated protein 2 and bromodeoxyuridine were found at 14 days post-injury. A few mature new neurons coexpressing neuronal nuclei antigen and bromodeoxyuridine were observed in the injured cortex 28 days post-injury. Glial fibrillary acidic protein/bromodeoxyuridine double-positive astrocytes were also found in the injured cortex. Our findings suggest that neural progenitor cells are present in the damaged cortex of adult rats with cerebral ischemic brain injury, and that they differentiate into astrocytes and immature neurons, but most neurons fail to reach the mature stage.