Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (19): 3483-3489.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.19.013

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Transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats

Han Ming-yuan, Feng Shi-qing, Li Hui, Wang Chun-yuan, Yu Tie-qiang   

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin  300052, China
  • Online:2010-05-07 Published:2010-05-07
  • Contact: Feng Shi-qing, Chief physician, Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China
  • About author:Han Ming-yuan, Studying for master’s degree, Physician, Department of Orthopaedics, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300052, China mingyuanhan@yahoo.com.cn
  • Supported by:

    the Doctor Center Program of Ministry of Education, No. 200800620003*;
    the Science and Technology Support Project of Committee of Science and Technology of Tianjin City, No. 08ZCKFSF03200*;
    the Scientific Research Foundation of Bureau of Health of Tianjin City, No. 06K243* 

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have the potential therapeutic value of repairing the injured spinal cord. But, there are rare studies concerning the mechanisms of repairing spinal cord injury by transplanting hUC-MSCs.

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs on rats with spinal cord injury.

METHODS: A total of 40 Wistar rats were selected to establish models of spinal cord injury. Following successful establishment, 38 rat models were assigned to three groups randomly: blank control group: only received simple injury, no transplantation; DMEM transplantation group: subjected to local transplantation of 5 μL DMEM at 1 week following injury; cell transplantation group: underwent 5 μL hUC-MSCs via local injection at 1 week following injury (1×106 cells). Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scoring system, somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potentials (SEP&MEP) were used to observe the recovery of hindlimb function following transplantation. Two rats were randomly selected from cell transplantation group at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks following injury. Survival, migration and differentiation of hUC-MSCs in the injury site were observed by immunohistochemistry. The area of glial scar in the injury site was calculated by immunostaining against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:BBB score was higher in the cell transplantation group than in other two groups at 4 weeks following injury (P < 0.05). Latency period and wave amplitude in SEP&MEP were increased in cell transplantation group compared with another two groups (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed hUC-MSCs could differentiate into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Differentiated oligodendrocytes surrounded axons and formed myelin sheath. The area of glial scar in cell transplantation group was smaller than in the blank control and DMEM transplantation groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between blank control and DMEM transplantation groups (P > 0.05). Results have indicated that hUC-MSCs transplanted in the injured spinal cord can differentiate into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, reduce glial scar and improve the recovery of neural function of rats with spinal cord injury

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