Abstract
Background aims
Several studies have reported functional improvement after transplantation of in vivo-derived neural progenitor cells (NPC) into injured spinal cord. However, the potential of human embryonic stem cell-derived NPC (hESC-NPC) as a tool for cell replacement of spinal cord injury (SCI) should be considered.
Methods
We report on the generation of NPC as neural-like tubes in adherent and feeder-free hESC using a defined media supplemented with growth factors, and their transplantation in collagen scaffolds in adult rats subjected to midline lateral hemisection SCI.
Results
hESC-NPC were highly expressed molecular features of NPC such as Nestin, Sox1 and Pax6. Furthermore, these cells exhibited the multipotential characteristic of differentiating into neurons and glials in vitro. Implantation of xenografted hESC-NPC into the spinal cord with collagen scaffold improved the recovery of hindlimb locomotor function and sensory responses in an adult rat model of SCI. Analysis of transplanted cells showed migration toward the spinal cord and both neural and glial differentiation in vivo.
Conclusions
These findings show that transplantation of hESC-NPC in collagen scaffolds into an injured spinal cord may provide a new approach to SCI.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the assistance of Dr Hamid Gourabi and Dr Ahmad Vosugh in supporting this research, and Adeleh Taee, Sepideh Mollamohammadi, Mohammad Pakzad and Reza Moghimi for technical assistance. This project was supported by SBDC of Royan Institute and Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of I. R. Iran.
Disclosure of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.