Transplantation of human umbilical cord derived-mesenchymal stem cells via subarachnoid space way for the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the repair ability of transplanting human umbilical cord derived-mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) into spinal cord-injured rats via subarachnoid space way.Methods Forty female Wistar rats which subjected to spinal cord injury were assigned into three groups randomly: plain control group (group A), subarachnoid space way transplanted DMEM group (group B)and transplanted hUC-MSCs group (group C). The recoveries of the lower extremity were observed by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scoring system, somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP). Also, migration, differentiation and survival of hUC-MSCs in the injured site were observed by immunohistochemistry. The area of glial scar in the injured site was calculated by immunostaining against GFAP. Results BBB score in group C (9. 19 ± 0. 26) was significantly higher than in groups A (8. 19 ± 0. 46) and B ( 8. 31 ± 0. 37 ) 4 weeks after injury (P ＜ 0. 05 ). For SEP and MEP, latency period was shortened and wave amplitude was increased in group C as compared with groups A and B ( P ＜ 0. 05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that hUC-MSCs could reached the injured site and differentiated into neuronal cells, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. The area of glial scar in group C (40 261.93 ±9137. 56) was smaller than in group A (20 3127. 88 ± 16 448. 84) and B (219 622. 47 ± 18944. 89,P ＜0. 05). Conclusion HUC-MSCs transplanted through subarachnoid space could migrate to the injured parenchyma of spinal cord and repair spinal cord injury effectively. Key words: Umbilical cord; Mesenchymal stem cells; Subarachnoid space; Cell transplantation; Spinal cord injury