Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury pp. 201-208
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Authors: (Yoshiyasu Nakai, Norihiko Nakano, Tae-Boem Seo, Yoshihiro Yamada, Toru Noda, Chizuka Ide, Institute of Regeneration and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Aino University, Ibaraki City, Osaka, Japan)
Abstract: The present study focused on whether the transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) has beneficial effects on sub-acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The spinal cord was crush-injured at Th 8-9, and BMSCs were transplanted at 2 weeks post-injury (sub-acute SCI). Two different methods of cell transplantation were employed: direct transplantation into the lesion and indirect transplantation by infusion through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the 4th ventricle. In both methods, extensive axonal outgrowth was seen through the extracellular matrices, bridging between the rostral and caudal end of the lesion. Schwann cells were associated with these regenerating axons. The locomotory function assessed by the BBB scale was improved 4-5 points. BMSCs disappeared from the lesion 2-3 weeks post-transplantation. There was no suggestion that the implanted BMSCs served as scaffolds for the growth of axons via integration into the host spinal cord tissue. The present study indicated that BMSC transplantation, regardless of whether it is direct or indirect, might be an effective treatment for patients with sub-acute SCI.