Effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-genetically modified adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells on acute spinal cord injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the applied value of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-transfected adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) hy lentivirus in spinal transplantation.Methods Rat ADSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro under sterile conditions.Then they were transfected with GDNF by high titer lentivirus.Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,respectively treated with ADSCs transfected with GDNF by lentivirus (A),ADSCs (B),normal saline (C).Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score,immunofluorescence stain,and the expression levels of BDNF,nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were observed.Results On the postoperative week (POW) 3 and 4,the BBB scores in group A were (15.02 ± 1.25) and (17.43 ± 1.05) points,obviously higher than in group B (10.35 ±2.25) and (13.44 ± 1.83) points and group C (5.88 ±2.46) and (6.94 ± 3.22) points.The immunofluorescence stain revealed that the transplanted ADSCs migrated to the injury site.On POW 3,the BDNF,NGF and GFAP expression levels in group A were (38.70 ± 2.75),(35.62 ± 2.74) and (13.17 ± 3.09) cells/HP,significantly different from those in group B (28.80 ±2.05),(24.99 ± 3.58) and (21.83 ± 5.99) cells/HP and group C (24.60 ± 2.44),(20.33 ± 2.25)and (27.10 ±6.47) cells/HP.Conclusion After transplantation of ADSCs in rats with spinal cord injury,the expression of BDNF and NGF was increased,and that of GFAP was suppressed,which was promoted by the modification of BDNF.Maybe it is one of the mechanisms of promoting restoration of injured spinal cord and improving motor function. Key words: Brain derived neural growth factor; Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell; Acute spinal cord injury