The effects of human amniotic cells transfected with GDNF gene on hippocampal neuron following traumatic brain injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of grafting transfecting GDNF gene human amniotic cells (HACs) on hippocampal neuron following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Methods The model of hippocampal neuronal death following TBI was built up by improved Feeney's weight drop techniques. 5 μl transfecting HACs were injected into the margin of contusion 24 h after injured by microsyringe and stereotactic frame. Groups consisted of transfecting GDNF gene HACs group(TBI + GDNF), transfecting eGFP gene HACs group(TBI +eGFP), PBS group (TBI + PBS)and sham TBI group. The spatial memory performance was evaluated on 5 consecutive days by Morris water maze on 7 days after transplantation. After the probe trial, the rats were sacrificed for hippocampal neuron and brain tissue around target morphological analysis by cresyl violet staining under light microscopy. Expression of GDNF was detected by PCR in mRNA level. Results Transfecting GDNF gene HACs showed red fluorescence by immunofluorescence. The rats of TBI + GDNF group exhibited less escape latencies than those of TBI + eGFP group and TBI + PBS group, but had longer escape latencies than those of sham TBI group. Cresyl violet staining showed hippocampal neuronal loss, shrinkage and dark staining of neurons in TBI + eGFP group and TBI + PBS group. Compared with other groups, GDNF expression of TBI + GDNF group obviously increased in mRNA leveL Conclusion Grafting HACs transfected by GDNF gene plays a role in protecting against hippocampal neuronal death following TBI. Key words: Craniocerebral trauma; Human amniotic cells; Glial cell line - derived neurotrophic factor; Models,animal