Implantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell sheets promotes axonal regeneration and restores bladder function after spinal cord injury

Jiasheng Chen; Lin Wang; Meng Liu; Guo Gao; Weixin Zhao; Qiang Fu; Ying Wang

doi:10.1186/s13287-022-03188-1

Stem Cell Research & Therapy (Oct 2022)

Implantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell sheets promotes axonal regeneration and restores bladder function after spinal cord injury

Jiasheng Chen,
Lin Wang,
Meng Liu,
Guo Gao,
Weixin Zhao,
Qiang Fu,
Ying Wang

Affiliations

Jiasheng Chen: Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Institute of Urologic Reconstruction, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Lin Wang: Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Institute of Urologic Reconstruction, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Meng Liu: Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Institute of Urologic Reconstruction, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Guo Gao: Key Laboratory for Thin Film and Micro Fabrication of the Ministry of Education, School of Sensing Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Weixin Zhao: Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Qiang Fu: Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Institute of Urologic Reconstruction, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Ying Wang: Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Eastern Institute of Urologic Reconstruction, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-022-03188-1
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Background Cell-based therapy using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) is a promising treatment strategy for neurogenic bladder (NB) associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, therapeutic efficacy is low because of inefficient cell delivery. Cell sheets improve the efficacy of cell transplantation. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transplanting ADSC sheets into an SCI rat model and focused on the function and pathological changes of the bladder. Methods ADSC sheets were prepared from adipose tissue of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats using temperature-responsive cell culture dishes. Adult female SD rats were subjected to SCI by transection at the T10 level and administered ADSC sheets or gelatin sponge (the control group). Four and 8 weeks later, in vivo cystometrograms were obtained for voiding function assessment. Rats were sacrificed and the expression of various markers was analyzed in spinal and bladder tissues. Results The number of β-tubulin III-positive axons in the ADSC sheet transplantation group was higher than that in the control group. Conversely, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the ADSC sheet transplantation group was lower than that in the control group. Cystometry showed impairment of the voiding function after SCI, which was improved after ADSC sheet transplantation with increased high-frequency oscillation activity. Furthermore, ADSC sheet transplantation prevented disruption of the bladder urothelium in SCI rats, thereby maintaining the intact barrier. Compared with fibrosis of the bladder wall in the control group, the ADSC sheet transplantation group had normal morphology of the bladder wall and reduced tissue fibrosis as shown by downregulation of type 1 collagen. ADSC sheet transplantation also resulted in strong upregulation of contractile smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers (α-smooth muscle actin and smoothelin) and downregulation of synthetic SMC markers (MYH10 and RBP1). Conclusion ADSC sheet transplantation significantly improved voiding function recovery in rats after SCI. ADSC sheet transplantation is a promising cell delivery and treatment option for NB related to SCI.

Published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy

ISSN: 1757-6512 (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry: Biochemistry
Website: https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com

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