Open Access
Intravenous administration of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue and umbilical cord improves neuropathic pain via suppression of neuronal damage and anti-inflammatory actions in rats
Author(s) -
Kanako Miyano,
Minori Ikehata,
Kaori Ohshima,
Yuki Yoshida,
Yohei Nose,
Sei-ichi Yoshihara,
Katsuyuki Oki,
Seiji Shiraishi,
Miaki Uzu,
Miki aka,
Yoshikazu Higami,
Yasuhito Uezono
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0262892
Subject(s) - neuropathic pain , mesenchymal stem cell , sciatic nerve , medicine , umbilical cord , adipose tissue , nociception , inflammation , pathology , pharmacology , anesthesia , immunology , receptor
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are isolated from adipose tissue (AD-MSCs), umbilical cord (UC-MSCs), or bone marrow, have therapeutic potential including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. It was recently reported that MSCs are also effective as a therapeutic treatment for neuropathic pain, although the underlying mechanisms have yet to be resolved. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of human AD- and UC-MSCs on neuropathic pain and its mechanisms using rat models of partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). AD- or UC-MSCs were intravenously administered 4 days after PSNL. Antinociceptive effects were then evaluated using the von Frey and weight-bearing tests. We found that, 3–9 days after the administration of AD- or UC-MSCs to PSNL-exposed rats, both the mechanical threshold and differences in weight-bearing of the right and left hind paws were significantly improved. To reveal the potential underlying antinociceptive mechanisms of MSCs, the levels of activation transcription factor 3- and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1-positive cells were measured by immunohistochemical analysis. AD- and UC-MSCs significantly decreased the levels of these proteins that were induced by PSNL in the dorsal root ganglia. Additionally, UC-MSC significantly improved the PSNL-induced decrease in the myelin basic protein level in the sciatic nerve, indicating that UC-MSC reversed demyelination of the sciatic nerve produced by PSNL. These data suggest that AD- and UC-MSCs may help in the recovery of neuropathic pain via the different regulation; AD-MSCs exhibited their effects via suppressed neuronal damage and anti-inflammatory actions, while UC-MSCs exhibited their effects via suppressed neuronal damage, anti-inflammatory actions and remyelination.