Turkish Neurosurgery 2012 , Vol 22 , Num 2
Reduction of Lesion in Injured Rat Spinal Cord and Partial Functional Recovery of Motility after Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
Erdal KARAOZ1, Serdar KABATAS2, Gokhan DURUKSU1, Alparslan OKCU1, Cansu SUBASI1, Birol AY1, Murat MUSLUMAN3, Erdinc CIVELEK2
1Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Stem Cell, Kocaeli, Turkey
2Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
3M.H. Sisli Etfal Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.5412-11.1 AIM: This study aimed to analyze the effect of rat bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) delivery on lesion site after spinal cord injury, and to observe the functional recovery after transplantation.

MATERIAL and METHODS: MSCs were isolated from rat femurs and tibias. The experimental rat population was divided into four groups: only laminectomy (1); laminectomy+trauma (2); laminectomy+trauma+PBS (3); laminectomy+trauma+MSCs (4). Their motility were scored regularly. After 4-weeks, rats were sacrificed, and their spinal cords were examined for GFP labeled rBM-MSCs by immunostainings.

RESULTS: In the early posttraumatic period, the ultrastructures of spinal cord tissue were preserved in Group 4. The majority of cells forming the ependymal region around the central canal were found to be MSCs. The gray-and-white-matter around the ependymal region were composed of Nestin+/GFAP+ cells, with astrocytic-like appearance. The scores showed significant motor recovery in Group 4, especially in hind limb functions. However, no obvious change was observed in other groups.

CONCLUSION: The increase Nestin+/GFAP+ cells in the gray-and-white-matter around the ependymal region could indicate the potential to self-renew and plasticity. Thus, transplantation of rBM-MSCs might be an effective strategy to improve functional recovery following spinal cord trauma. In conclusion, molecular factors in cell fate decisions could be manipulated to enhance reparative potential of cell-based therapy. Keywords : Bone marrow, Mesenchymal stem cells, Spinal cord injury, Functional recovery, Rats

Corresponding author : Erdal Karaoz, ekaraoz@hotmail.com