Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Neurosurgical Science, Loghman Hospital, Shahid Behshti University of Medial Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Cell J. 2014 Summer;16(2):117-130. Epub 2014 May 25.
Currently, cellular transplantation for spinal cord injuries (SCI) is the subject of numerous preclinical studies. Among the many cell types in the adult brain, there is a unique subpopulation of neural stem cells (NSC) that can self-renew and differentiate into neurons. The study aims, therefore, to explore the efficacy of adult monkey NSC (mNSC) in a primate SCI model.
In this experimental study, isolated mNSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and RT-PCR. Next, BrdU-labeled cells were transplanted into a SCI model. The SCI animal model was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological analysis. Animals were clinically observed for 6 months.
Analysis confirmed homing of mNSCs into the injury site. Transplanted cells expressed neuronal markers (TubIII). Hind limb performance improved in trans- planted animals based on Tarlov's scale and our established behavioral tests for monkeys.
Our findings have indicated that mNSCs can facilitate recovery in contusion SCI models in rhesus macaque monkeys. Additional studies are necessary to determine the im- provement mechanisms after cell transplantation.
目前，针对脊髓损伤（SCI）的细胞移植是众多临床前研究的主题。在成人大脑中，有一类独特的神经干细胞（NSC）亚群，它们具有自我更新和分化为神经元的能力。因此，本研究旨在探索成年猕猴 NSC（mNSC）在灵长类 SCI 模型中的疗效。
在这项实验研究中，通过流式细胞术、免疫细胞化学和 RT-PCR 对分离的 mNSC 进行分析。接下来，将 BrdU 标记的细胞移植到 SCI 模型中。通过磁共振成像（MRI）和组织学分析确认 SCI 动物模型。对动物进行了 6 个月的临床观察。
分析确认 mNSC 归巢到损伤部位。移植细胞表达神经元标志物（TubIII）。根据 Tarlov 量表和我们为猕猴建立的行为测试，移植动物的后肢功能得到改善。
我们的研究结果表明，mNSC 可促进恒河猴挫伤性 SCI 模型的恢复。需要进一步研究以确定细胞移植后的改善机制。
