Transplantation of Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Functional Recovery in a Rat Model of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) are considered ideal candidate stem cells for cell-based therapy. In this study, we assessed whether hAMSCs transplantation promotes neurological functional recovery in rats after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition, the potential mechanisms underlying the possible benefits of this therapy were investigated. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to SCI using a weight drop device and then hAMSCs, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were immediately injected into the contused dorsal spinal cord at 2 mm rostral and 2 mm caudal to the injury site. Our results indicated that transplanted hAMSCs migrated in the host spinal cord without differentiating into neuronal or glial cells. Compared with the control group, hAMSCs transplantation significantly decreased the numbers of ED1 macrophages/microglia and caspase-3 cells. In addition, hAMSCs transplantation significantly increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the injured spinal cord, and promoted both angiogenesis and axonal regeneration. These effects were associated with significantly improved neurobehavioral recovery in the hAMSCs transplantation group. These results show that transplantation of hAMSCs provides neuroprotective effects in rats after SCI, and could be candidate stem cells for the treatment of SCI.

Concise Review: Fetal Membranes in Regenerative Medicine: New Tricks from an Old Dog?

“…Expression of the same factors were observed in hAMSC following neural stem cell differentiation, suggesting that neurotrophic factors released by transplanted hAMSC derived neuronal progenitors may contribute to the improvements seen in experimental traumatic brain injury [71]. In a rat model of spinal cord injury, hAMSC were injected into the contused dorsal spinal cord and transplanted hAMSC migrated into the spinal cord without differentiating into neuronal or glial cells [72]. Compared with the control group, hAMSC transplantation significantly decreased the numbers of activated macrophages/ microglia and apoptotic cells [72].…”

“…T cell responses and production of the IL‐17A were reduced in hAEC‐treated animals. This coincided with a significant increase in the numbers of peripheral T regulatory cells and naïve CD4+ T cells as well as Th2 cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs and the central nervous system . The efficacy of hAEC in Parkinson's disease (PD) has also been evaluated.…”

Comparison of the paracrine activity of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord, amniotic membrane and adipose tissue

“…Numerous studies have proven that cytokines produced by MSCs have an anti‐inflammatory effect . These properties can be very useful in the treatment of perinatal morbidities caused by excessive inflammatory response, such as respiratory distress, intracranial hemorrhage or infarction and necrotizing colitis …”

“…17,21 Numerous studies have proven that cytokines produced by MSCs have an anti-inflammatory effect. 16,[22][23][24][25][26] These properties can be very useful in the treatment of perinatal morbidities caused by excessive inflammatory response, such as respiratory distress, intracranial hemorrhage or infarction and necrotizing colitis. [10][11][12]27,28 Our results indicate that the secretion of cytokines by MSCs from various sources may be different.…”

Stem Cells in Translation versus Innovative Biomaterials and /or Nanomaterials

“…Stem cells alone have been used for the amelioration of various diseases in animal models such as Parkinson's disease [21] , diabetes [22] , spinal cord injury [23] and much more. However, the downside of using stem cells alone for cell therapy purposes involves the chances of dilution of the engraftment of such cells and need for repeated stem cell transplantations.…”