Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, P.R. China.
Cell Transplant. 2012;21 Suppl 1:S39-47. doi: 10.3727/096368912X633752.
Schwann cells (SCs) are the main glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, which can promote neural regeneration. Grafting of autologous SCs is one of the well-established and commonly performed procedures for peripheral nerve repair. With the aim to improve the clinical condition of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), a program of grafting autologous activated Schwann cells (AASCs), as well as a series of appropriate neurorehabilitation programs, was employed to achieve the best therapeutic effects. We selected six patients who had a history of SCI before transplantation. At first, AASCs were obtained by prior ligation of sural nerve and subsequently isolated, cultured, and purified in vitro. Then the patients accepted an operation of laminectomy and cell transplantation, and no severe adverse event was observed in any of these patients. Motor and sensitive improvements were evaluated by means of American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading and Functional Independence Measure (FIM); bladder and urethral function were determined by clinical and urodynamic examination; somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were used to further confirm the functional recovery following transplantation. The patients were followed up for more than 5 years. All of the patients showed some signs of improvement in autonomic, motor, and sensory function. So we concluded that AASC transplantation might be feasible, safe, and effective to promote neurorestoration of SCI patients.
许旺细胞（SCs）是周围神经系统的主要神经胶质细胞，能够促进神经再生。自体许旺细胞移植是周围神经修复的成熟且常用的方法之一。为了改善脊髓损伤（SCI）患者的临床状况，我们采用了自体激活许旺细胞（AASCs）移植方案以及一系列适当的神经康复方案，以达到最佳的治疗效果。我们选择了六位在移植前有 SCI 病史的患者。首先，通过结扎腓肠神经获得 AASCs，然后在体外进行分离、培养和纯化。随后，患者接受了椎板切除术和细胞移植手术，这些患者均未观察到任何严重的不良事件。通过美国脊髓损伤协会（ASIA）分级和功能独立性测量（FIM）评估运动和感觉改善情况；通过临床和尿动力学检查确定膀胱和尿道功能；通过体感诱发电位（SSEP）和运动诱发电位（MEP）进一步确认移植后的功能恢复情况。这些患者的随访时间超过 5 年。所有患者的自主、运动和感觉功能都有一定程度的改善。因此，我们得出结论，AASC 移植可能是一种可行、安全且有效的方法，能够促进 SCI 患者的神经修复。
