Co-transplantation of neural stem cell and Schwann cell and a PLGA scaffold to repair spinal cord injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To observe the morphological and functional repairing effects of co-transplantation of neural stem cell (NSC), Schwann cell (SC) and a polylactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) scaffold on the spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods Thirty-six wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups randomly according to the transplantation materials: PLGA (A), NSC/PLGA (B)and NSC+SC/PLGA(C).The complex of PLGA scaffold/cells Was constructed and implanted into the injury site of T9 in SCI models developed from wistar rats. BBB locomotion scores, motor evoked potentials (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) of lower limbs were examined to learn the rehabilitation of sensory and motor funotions at 4 and 12 weeks after injury in difierent groups. Al the SCI tissues were observed with transelectronmicroscopy. HE and immunohistochemistry to identify the regeneration of neural fibers and the survival, migration and differentiation of the NSC at 4 and 12 weeks after injury. Results From 4 to 12 weeks, the BBB locomotion scores in all the transplantation groups increased, especially in the CO-transplantation groups(P＜0.05).The amplitudes of SEP and MEP at 4 weeks became lower than at 12 weeks after injury in groups B and C, but they were not observed at 4 and 12 weeks after injury in group A. The regenerated axons were observed in the scaffold/cells complex with transelectronmicroseopy. Immunohistochemistry staining showed the transplanted NSCs could survive. Migrate and difierentiate into neuron and oligodendrocyte at 12 weeks. Conclusion Co-transplantation of NSC+SC/PLGA can promote the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Neural stem cell; Transplantation; Schwann cell