Downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) utilizing adenovirus-mediated transfer of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in a novel spinal metastatic melanoma model.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a class of secreted zinc-dependent endopeptidases implicated in the metastatic potential of tumor cells due to their ability to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) has been detected in high levels and correlates with invasiveness in human melanoma. We have studied the effect of adenovirus-mediated transfer of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MMP-2 in the human melanoma cell line A2058. The delivery of these double-stranded RNA molecules represents an efficient technology in silencing disease-causing genes with known sequences at the post-transcriptional level. siRNA against MMP-2 mRNA (Ad-MMP-2) was found to decrease MMP-2 protein expression and activity in melanoma cells as demonstrated by western blotting and gelatin zymography. Furthermore, infection of cells with Ad-MMP-2 inhibited cellular migration and invasion as indicated by spheroid and matrigel assays. We also observed dose-dependent suppression of vascular network formation in an angiogenesis assay. Finally, we developed a nude mouse spinal metastatic model to investigate the local effects of tumor metastasis. Intravenous tail vein injection with Ad-MMP-2 on days 5, 9 and 11 after tumor implantation resulted in complete retention of neurological function as compared to control and scrambled vector (Ad-SV)-treated groups that showed complete paraplegia by day 14+/-2 days. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed decreased tumor size in the Ad-MMP-2-treated animals. This novel experimental model revealed that adenoviral-mediated transfer of RNA interference against MMP-2 results in the retention of neurological function and significantly inhibited tumor growth.

Umbilical cord blood stem cell mediated downregulation of fas improves functional recovery of rats after spinal cord injury.

Human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCB), due to their primitive nature and ability to develop into nonhematopoietic cells of various tissue lineages, represent a potentially useful source for cell-based therapies after spinal cord injury (SCI). To evaluate their therapeutic potential, hUCB were stereotactically transplanted into the injury epicenter, one week after SCI in rats. Our results show the presence of a substantial number of surviving hUCB in the injured spinal cord up to five weeks after transplantation. Three weeks after SCI, apoptotic cells were found especially in the dorsal white matter and gray matter, which are positive for both neuron and oligodendrocyte markers. Expression of Fas on both neurons and oligodendrocytes was efficiently downregulated by hUCB. This ultimately resulted in downregulation of caspase-3 extrinsic pathway proteins involving increased expression of FLIP, XIAP and inhibition of PARP cleavage. In hUCB-treated rats, the PI3K/Akt pathway was also involved in antiapoptotic actions. Further, structural integrity of the cytoskeletal proteins alpha-tubulin, MAP2A&2B and NF-200 has been preserved in hUCB treatments. The behavioral scores of hind limbs of hUCB-treated rats improved significantly than those of the injured group, showing functional recovery. Taken together, our results indicate that hUCB-mediated downregulation of Fas and caspases leads to functional recovery of hind limbs of rats after SCI.

A computed tomography scan and anatomical cadaveric study of the pterygopalatine ganglion for use in Gamma Knife treatment of cluster headache.

OBJECT: Gamma Knife surgery has recently been used to treat patients with cluster headaches. Both the trigeminal nerve root and the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) have been targeted. However, there are no clear-cut anatomical landmarks on computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance images that accurately identify the PPG. Therefore, the authors performed microsurgical dissections on latex-injected cadaver heads to expose the PPG and correlated the findings with thin-slice axial CT scans obtained in the same heads to determine how best to target the PPG. METHODS: Three cadaver heads (five sides) previously injected with colored latex were dissected using skull base approaches and microsurgical techniques to identify the PPG and surrounding structures. Measurements were then made to different osseous anatomical landmarks such as the foramen rotundum, vidian canal, and so on. The PPG was marked with a radiopaque marker and thin-slice CT scans were obtained in the cadaver heads to develop some correlates that could be used to identify where the PPG is located on CT scans. RESULTS: The PPG was clearly identified in all specimens and had a mean diameter of 3.58 +/- 0.6 mm. The PPG was always located in the same plane (lateral and vertical) as the vidian canal and was located on average 2.7 +/- 0.3 mm from the end of the canal. The vidian canal was clearly identified on coronal CT scans and had a diameter of 3.05 mm. CONCLUSIONS: There was a clear and constant relationship between the PPG and vidian canal. The vidian canal is easily identified on coronal CT scans and can be used as a landmark to target the PPG with the Gamma Knife.

Mesenchymal stem cells from rat bone marrow downregulate caspase-3-mediated apoptotic pathway after spinal cord injury in rats.

Mesenchymal stem cells have been intensively studied for their potential use in reparative strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic injuries. We used mesenchymal stem cells (rMSC) from rat bone marrow to evaluate the therapeutic potential after spinal cord injury (SCI). Immunohistochemistry confirmed a large number of apoptotic neurons and oligodendrocytes in caudal segments 2 mm away from the lesion site. Expression of caspase-3 on both neurons and oligodendrocytes after SCI was significantly downregulated by rMSC. Caspase-3 downregulation by rMSC involves increased expression of FLIP and XIAP in the cytosol and inhibition of PARP cleavage in the nucleus. Animals treated with rMSC had higher Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scoring and better recovery of hind limb sensitivity. Treatment with rMSC had a positive effect on behavioral outcome and histopathological assessment after SCI. The ability of rMSC to incorporate into the spinal cord, differentiate and to improve locomotor recovery hold promise for a potential cure after SCI.

Axonal remyelination by cord blood stem cells after spinal cord injury.

Human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCB) hold great promise for therapeutic repair after spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we present our preliminary investigations on axonal remyelination of injured spinal cord by transplanted hUCB. Adult male rats were subjected to moderate SCI using NYU Impactor, and hUCB were grafted into the site of injury one week after SCI. Immunohistochemical data provides evidence of differentiation of hUCB into several neural phenotypes including neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Ultrastructural analysis of axons reveals that hUCB form morphologically normal appearing myelin sheaths around axons in the injured areas of spinal cord. Colocalization studies prove that oligodendrocytes derived from hUCB secrete neurotrophic hormones neurotrophin-3 (NT3) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Cord blood stem cells aid in the synthesis of myelin basic protein (MBP) and proteolipid protein (PLP) of myelin in the injured areas, thereby facilitating the process of remyelination. Elevated levels of mRNA expression were observed for NT3, BDNF, MBP and PLP in hUCB-treated rats as revealed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Recovery of hind limb locomotor function was also significantly enhanced in the hUCB-treated rats based on Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores assessed 14 days after transplantation. These findings demonstrate that hUCB, when transplanted into the spinal cord 7 days after weight-drop injury, survive for at least 2 weeks, differentiate into oligodendrocytes and neurons, and enable improved locomotor function. Therefore, hUCB facilitate functional recovery after moderate SCI and may prove to be a useful therapeutic strategy to repair the injured spinal cord.