Effects of co-transplatation of neural stem cells and the self-assembly peptide nanofiber hydrogels on the repair of transversal spinal cord injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of co-transplatation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and the self-assembly peptide nanofiber hydrogels on the repair of transversal spinal cord injury in rats.Methods Thirty-six SD rats were randomly devided into groups A,B and C,which included 12 rats in each group after the animal models of spinal cord completely transsected had been established for one week.DMEM/F12 fluid,NSCs and composition of cells and hydrogels were transplanted into the caulal zone of the transected spinal cord in three groups repectively.The function repair was evaluated by Bundle branch block (BBB) score,pathology and imunnoflurorescence technique.Results The BBB scores in the three groups had significant difference at differernt time points (P ＜0.01 ),and the BBB scores were significantly different among the three groups ( P ＜ 0.01 ) after having been transplanted for two weeks.A great amount of regeneration host neuropils bridging at the two sides of the injured area and lesser glial scar were observed in group C after having been transplanted for six weeks.The percentage of BrdU/NF-200 double positive cells in group C ( 24.83 ± 1.47 ) ％ was higher than that in group B ( 6.83 ± 1.47 ) ％ ( P ＜0.01 ).However,the percentage of BrdU/GFAP double positive cells in group B (42.17 ± 2.71 ) ％ was higher than that in group C ( 34.33 ± 4.63 ) ％ ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion The self-assembly peptide nanofiber hydrogels could improve the differentiation of NSCs into neurons.Co-transplantation of NSCs with selfassembly of IKVAV peptide nanofiber hydrogels showed more effective results. Key words: Neural stem cells; Hydrogel; Cell transplantation; Spinal cord injury