Axonal myelination in response to transplantation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells after spinal cord injury in a rat model

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of transplantation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells （OPCs） on axonal myelination after spinal cord injury in a rat model. Methods A rat model of spinal cord injury at the tenth thoracic vertebral level （T10） was produced by Allen weight-drop impact method. OPCs implantation was performed at the subacute stage of spinal cord injury. Effects of OPCs transplantation on axonal myelination after spinal cord injury were evaluated by HE staining, immunohistochemistry, myelin staining and transmission electron microscopy. Results The implanted cells were still observed in lesioned segments of spinal cord eight weeks after transplantation. The results of HE staining clearly showed better structure of spinal cord in OPCs-transplanted group than that of control group.Myelin staining also demonstrated that the amount of myelin in white matter of lesioned cord in the OPCs-transplanted group （7 802.42 ± 1085.58） was higher than that of the control group （5 055.98 ± 916.74）（P 〈0.01 ）. Expression of myelin basic protein （MBP） was significantly increased in the OPCs-trans-planted group （8 544.44 ±812.78） as compared with that of the control group （5 243.83 ±808.27）（P〈0.01）. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy further confirmed the improvement of micro-structure of myelination in OPCs-treated rats. Conclusion OPCs transplantation can improve axonal myelination in rat with spinal cord injury. Key words: Spinal cord injuries ; Cell transplantation ; Oligodendrocyte ; Myelination