Role of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells and Schwann-like cells transplantation on spinal cord injury in adult male albino rats

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2018-12, Vol.108, p.1365-1375
• Main Authors: Galhom, Rania A., Hussein Abd El Raouf, Hoda H., Mohammed Ali, Mona H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; BM-MSCs; Cell Differentiation; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - analysis; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - cytology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; S100 Proteins - analysis; Schwann Cells - cytology; Schwann Cells - transplantation; Schwann-like cells; Spinal Cord - pathology; Spinal Cord - physiopathology; Spinal Cord - ultrastructure; Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy; Spinal cord injury
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.131

[Display omitted] •Laminectomy and crushed injury of the spinal cord of rats caused histopathological and functional alterations and disability.•BM-MSCs differentiated into Schwann-like cells using fragments of sciatic nerve to prepare a suitable conditioned media.•myelination was more evident in the injured spinal cord treated with the differentiated Schwann-like cells. Spinal cord injury is a considerable health impact accompanied with physical, psychological and economic burden. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) transplantation was found to produce neuronal regenerative effects. Schwann-like cells differentiated from BM-MSCs have myelin-forming ability. To compare the ability of BM-MSCs versus Schwann like cells to promote recovery of spinal cord injury. Adult male albino rats were used throughout the study. BM-MSCs were harvested from femora of rats. Sciatic nerves were extracted and used in the preparation of the induction culture medium for differentiation of BM-MSCs into Schwann-like cells. Rats were divided into control, spinal cord injured (SCI), spinal cord injured plus BM-MSCs transplantation (BM-MSC) and spinal cord injured plus Schwann-like cells transplantation (Sn) groups. BBB scale assessment was performed before and after SCI in all rats. Rats were euthanized at the end of the 7th week and spinal cords were dissected and processed for light and transmission electron microscopic examinations. Spinal cord sections of SCI group revealed cavitation, necrosis and demyelination. BM-MSC and Sn groups showed both functional and structural improvement compared to SCI group with better BBB score and histopathological features in the BM-MSC group and more expression of S100 in the Sn group. Transplantation of BM-MSCs and Schwann-like cells improved the structural and functional alterations of spinal cord injury with better improvement in BM-MSC group.