Induction of functional recovery by co-transplantation of neural stem cells and Schwann cells in a rat spinal cord contusion injury model / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the transplantation efficacy of neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells (SC) in a rat model of spinal cord contusion injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells were harvested from the spinal cords of embryonic rats at 16 days post coitus and sciatic nerves of newborn rats, respectively. The differential characteristics of NSCs in vitro induced by either serum-based culture or co-culture with SC were analyzed by immunofluorescence. NSCs and SCs were co-transplanted into adult rats having undergone spinal cord contusion at T9 level. The animals were weekly monitored using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating system to evaluate functional recovery from contusion-induced spinal cord injury. Migration and differentiation of transplanted NSCs were studied in tissue sections using immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Embryonic spinal cord-derived NSCs differentiated into a large number of oligodendrocytes in serum-based culture upon the withdrawal of mitogens. In cocultures with SCs, NSCs differentiated into neuron more readily. Rats with spinal cord contusion injury which had undergone transplantation of NSCs and SCs into the intraspinal cavity demonstrated a moderate improvement in motor functions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SC may contribute to neuronal differentiation of NSCs in vitro and in vivo. Transplantation of NSCs and SCs into the affected area may be a feasible approach to promoting motor recovery in patients after spinal cord injury.</p>

Role of Neurotrophins and Immune Molecules in the Repair of the Central Nervous System (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Neurotrophins promote and modulate the repair and regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) on the levels of synapses, neurites and neural cells, and even of the auxiliary structures of CNS. As to immune molecules, recent studies denied the classical doctrine that CNS is an immune privilege organ. In the last decade, it is found that immune responses can be beneficial for CNS repair. What are more, some macromolecules that were previously thought to be the members of the family of immune system play essential roles in the development and regeneration of the CNS. Therefore, the authors postulate that there are crosstalks between the neurotrophins and the immune molecules in the CNS.

A Model of Focal Cortical Infarctionin Rat:Mini mally Invasive Craniotomy / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo develop a stable model of focal cerebral infarction in rat to study the curative effect of neural stem cells transplantation.MethodsThirty-seven rats were selected which were divided into two groups in random, experimental group and control group. The focal infarction model was developed by the ligation of the left middle cerebral artery followed by the ligation of the ipsilateral common carotid artery and the temporary clip occlusion of the contralateral common carotid artery for 1.5 h. The operation adopted minimally invasive craniotomy though temporal bone. The model was evaluated by examining the neurologic deficits, ink perfusion, TTC staining and Magnetic Resonance imaging.ResultsAll the rats were in good condition after the operation, the mortality rate was 6.25% after 4 weeks. Ink perfusion and TTC staining confirmed that the ischemia was confined to the cortex. The areas of infarction measured 83.52 mm3 by Magnetic Resonance imaging after 4 weeks.ConclusionA stable focal cerebral infarction model can be achieved by minimally invasive craniotomy. It is superior for its homogeneity of infarction volume and site, and its low mortality. It can be used for the study of transplantation of neural stem cells.