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Artificial neural network scaffold transplanted promotes the recovery of structure and function after rat spinal cord transection
Author(s) -
Zeng Yuan-shan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.338.2
Subject(s) - biotinylated dextran amine , spinal cord , neuroscience , transplantation , spinal cord injury , mesenchymal stem cell , neurite , neural stem cell , scaffold , axon , chemistry , anatomy , biology , biomedical engineering , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , stem cell , surgery , biochemistry , in vitro
Functional deficits after spinal cord injury attribute to neural cell death and loss of connectivity. Here we designed tissue engineered neural networks acting as bridges to rebuilt signal connection between the cut ends of the ruptured spinal cord. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with genetically enhanced expression of TrkC were induced into cholinergic neurons after cocultured with Schwann cells overexpressing neurotrophin‐3 in a gelatin sponge scaffold for 14 days. The formation of neural networks was confirmed by electron microscope and recording of spontaneous postsynaptic currents by whole‐cell patch clamp. Then, these neural network scaffolds were grafted acutely into rats with removal of 2 mm spinal cord tissue. Eight weeks later, MSCs‐derived neurons of the grafts maintained their synaptic connection or formed new connection with regenerative axons. Although Biotinylated Dextran Amine labeled fibers of corticospinal tract only formed a few connections with MSCs‐derived neurons in the grafts, 5‐HT labeled fibers formed much more connections. Furthermore, a part of these connections were confirmed to be synaptic connections by double‐labeled immunoelectron microscope. Animals with neural networks scaffold transplantation resulted in higher BBB score and improved cortical motor evoked potential. These findings indicated that MSCs‐derived neural networks integrated into host neural networks