Differentiation of neonatal dorsal root ganglion-derived neural stem cells into oligodendrocytes after intrathecal transplantation into a cauda equina lesion model

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is characterized by varying patterns of low back pain, sciatica, lower extremity sensorimotor loss, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. The prognosis for complete recovery of CES is dependent on not only the time before surgical intervention with decompression but also the severity of the nerve damage. Delayed or severe nerve compression impairs the capability of nerve regeneration. Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) may facilitate axon regeneration and functional recovery in a spectrum of neurological disorders. Our study shows that the NSCs derived from early postnatal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are able to proliferate to form neurospheres and differentiate into O4 + oligodendrocytes but not glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP Stem cells grafted into a cauda equina lesion model recovery of sensorimotor function was not significantly improved in rats with transplantation therapy, our results implied that subarachnoid microinjection of NSCs may promote axon regeneration of DRG neurons in the cauda equina model after nerve injury.

Transplantation of neural stem cells encapsulated in hydrogels improve functional recovery in a cauda equina lesion model

“…Accumulating evidence demonstrates that transplanted NSCs successfully survive in the injured tissues and integrate into the host brain to achieve the functional recovery [19]. Moreover, the pluripotency of DRG has been reported by several research groups, including our group [15,20,21]. The sensory branch in the cauda equina is composed of the central processes of DRG neurons.…”

“…Because the cauda equina is different from the spinal cord, it is impossible to transplant the neural stem cells into the solid tissues. Our previous study showed that GFP-NSCs survived in the cerebrospinal fluid around the damaged cauda equina after intrathecal transplantation, but the surviving time was very short, i.e., only one week [15]. Based on the previous study, hydrogels were used to localize neural stem cells to the injured cauda equina to promote the axon regeneration and remyelination of damaged cauda equina, eventually achieving the goal of neuron preservation and functional repair.…”

“…After anesthesia with chloral hydrate, laminectomy was performed at the lumbar 4 and a silicone band (10 mm long, 1 mm wide, and 1 mm thick) was placed under the laminae of the L5-6 vertebra to produce the CES animal model [15,16]. Sixteen rats were subjected to NSC transplantation, and another 16 rats were used as control.…”

“…A beam of light from a projection lamp (voltage of 18.5 V) was focused on the tail skin at the junction between the middle and distal 1/3 of the tail. The latency to respond was recorded with a maximal 15s radiant heat stimulus [15].…”

Transplantation of neural stem cells encapsulated in hydrogels improve functional recovery in a cauda equina lesion model

“…Pasteur pipettes were used to gently blow the neurospheres, place them at 37°C for 20 min, then centrifugation, and the supernatant was discarded. The preparation was suspended in a small amount of medium, gently beaten and mixed, counted, then laid in a 6-well plate, and each hole had about 200-300 neurospheres (13). After 3 generations of subcloning, the NSCs were derived from the neurospheres.…”