scholarly journals Long-Distance Growth and Connectivity of Neural Stem Cells after Severe Spinal Cord Injury

Cell ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 150 (6) ◽  
pp. 1264-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Lu ◽  
Yaozhi Wang ◽  
Lori Graham ◽  
Karla McHale ◽  
Mingyong Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Neural Stem Cells ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Cord Injury

scholarly journals GP.04 Smart human neural stem cells to degrade scar and optimize regeneration after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (s2) ◽  
pp. S9-S9
Author(s):  
CS Ahuja ◽  
M Khazaei ◽  
P Chan ◽  
J Bhavsar ◽  
Y Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Neural Stem Cells ◽  
Chronic Injury ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Degrading Enzyme ◽  
Genetically Engineer ◽  
Cord Injury

Background: Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (hiPS-NSCs) represent an exciting therapeutic approach for traumatically spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, most patients are the in chronic injury phase where a dense perilesional chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) scar significantly hinders regeneration. CSPG-degrading enzymes can enhance NSC-mediated recovery, however, nonspecific intrathecal administration causes off-target effects. We aimed to genetically engineer hiPS-NSCs to express a scar-degrading ENZYME into their local environment to enhance functional recovery. Methods: A bicistronic scar-degrading ENZYME and RFP reporter vector was non-virally integrated into hiPS-NSCs and monoclonalized. ENZYME activity was assessed by WST-1 and DMMB biochemical assays and an in vitro CSPG spot assay with hiPS-NSC-derived neurons. To assess in vivo efficacy, T-cell deficient rats (N=60) with chronic (8wk) C6-7 SCIs were randomized to receive (1)SMaRT cells, (2)hiPS-NSCs, (3)vehicle, or (4)sham surgery. Results: SMaRT cells retained key hiPS-NSC characteristics while stably expressing ENZYME. The expressed ENZYME could appropriately degrade in vitro and ex vivo CSPGs. While blinded neurobehavioural and immunohistochemical assessments are ongoing at 40wks post-injury, an interim analysis demonstrated human cells extending remarkably long (≥20,000µm) axons along host white matter tracts. Conclusions: This work provides exciting proof-of-concept data that genetically-engineered SMaRT cells can degrade CSPGs and human NSCs can extend long-distance processes in chronic SCI.

scholarly journals Immunosuppressants Affect Human Neural Stem Cells In Vitro but Not in an In Vivo Model of Spinal Cord Injury

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 731-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Sontag ◽  
Hal X. Nguyen ◽  
Noriko Kamei ◽  
Nobuko Uchida ◽  
Aileen J. Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Neural Stem Cells ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Human Neural Stem Cells ◽  
Cord Injury
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