The Effect Of Neural Stem Cells Transplantation Of Spinal Cord Injury In A RAT Model

Background and ObjectivesAxonal regeneration after SCI has become a major therapeutic focus. Limited regeneration after SCI inhibits SCI repairs. Due to the potential for self-renewal, proliferation, migrate and differentiation, NSC represent a promising cell type for the treatment after SCI. Studies have shown that neural stem cell transplantation can promote functional recovery via various mechanisms including secreting growth factors, neuronal replacement, improving the micro-environment, promoting endogenous regeneration and neuroprotection. In this study, we transplanted NSC isolated from newborn rat brains into the SCI rats, observed survival, differentiation of NSC in vivo, and its impact on angiogenesis and hindlimb function of rats after SCI.Material and methods1. Neural tissue was isolated from cerebral cortex of newborn rat, disaggregated into single cell suspension and cultured in neural basal media o Sixty adult SD rats (weighing220g) were made into SCI models according to the Allen’s method and were randomly classified into two groups, the control group received injections of PBS and the NSC group received injections of NSC. 2. Each rat was evaluated at days7,14post-SCI using the BBB scale for testing hindlimb function. After sacrifice, the distribution of vWF in both groups was determined by immunofluorescent, WB were used to detect the VEGF protein.Results1. The BBB scale of both control group and NSC group was increased over time. At day7post-SCI, the BBB scale showed no significant difference between the two groups. At days14post-SCI, the BBB scale in the NSC group was significantly higher than the control groups.2. BrdU-positive NSCs were widely distributed in sites of injury. The colocalizations of BrdU and vWF double stained revealed that NSCs have the ability to differentiate into ECs. The VEGF protein expression and the density of vWF positive in the NSC group were significantly higher than those in the control group.Conclusions1. NSC has the ability of survival and differentiation in vivo, and can improved the functional recovery of SCI rats.2. NSC can differentiate into endothelial cells, improves the expression of VEGF and angiogenesis.