Brain-derived neurotrophical factor after olfactory ensheathing cells transplantation in spinal cord injury of rats

Abstract

Objective To observe the expression of brain-derived neurotrophical factor (BDNF) in injury spinal cord after transplantation olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), and to investigate the mechanism of OECs repairing spinal cord injury.Methods OECs from GFP transgenic rats were separated and cultured for transplantation. Spinal cord injury rats were separated two groups by random digits table. In experimental group, OECs suspension were transplanted into injured spinal cord following spinal cord injury. In control group, DMEM was transplanted into the injured spinal cord after spinal cord injury. Motor function was evaluated per week after transplantation. The expression levels of BDNF mRNA and protein were detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively, and compared with those from normal SD rats.Results Motor function of two groups was improved gradually after transplantation. The motor function scores in experimental group was obviously higher than in control group at 21st day after transplantation (P<0.05). A lot of survival GFP OECs distributed around impaired myeloid tissue. At 21st day after transplantation, BDNF mRNA and protein expression in experimental group were strongest (P<0.05), and stronger in control group than in normal group (P<0.05).Conclusion The transplantation of OECs can repair the injured spinal cord by increasing the expression of BDNF mRNA and protein to improve local microenvironment. Key words: Rats; Spinal cord injury; Cell transplantation; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor