Exosomes derived from GIT1-overexpressing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote traumatic spinal cord injury recovery in a rat model

Abstract

Objective

This study aims to explore the effects of exosomes derived from G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 interacting protein 1 (GIT1)-overexpressing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (GIT1-BMSC-Exos) on the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model.

Methods

All the rats underwent a T10 laminectomy. A weight-drop impact was performed using a 10-g rod from a height of 12.5 mm except the sham group. Rats with SCI were distributed into three groups randomly and then treated with tail vein injection of GIT1-BMSCs-Exos, BMSCs-Exos and PBS, respectively. The effects of GIT1-Exos on glutamate (GLU)-induced apoptosis in vitro were also evaluated by TUNEL staining.

Results

The results showed that rats treated with GIT1-BMSCs-Exos had better functional behavioral recovery than those treated with PBS or BMSCs-Exos only. The overexpression of GIT1 in BMSCs-Exos not only restrained glial scar formation and neuroinflammation after SCI, but also attenuated apoptosis and promoted axonal regeneration in the injured lesion area. Neuronal cell death induced by GLU was controlled remarkably in vitro as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study suggested that the application of GIT1-BMSCs-Exos may provide a novel avenue for traumatic SCI treatment.

Keywords:

• GIT1
• exosomes
• bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
• spinal cord injury

Acknowledgments

Yongjun Luo and Tao Xu designed the study, Tao Xu and Wei Liu performed the experiments. Yongjun Luo and Yuluo Rong conceived the study, drafted the manuscript. Yuluo Rong, Jiaxing Wang and Jin Fan performed the statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 81772352, 81401807, 81772351, and 81271988), and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK2012876). Thiw work was supported by the Nanjing Committee of Science and Technology and the Jiangsu Committee of Science and Technology-Social Development Plan.