Transplantation of autologous bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells into cerebrospinal fluid in a canine model of spinal cord injury

Yuya Nakamoto; Tatsuo Nakamura; Ryusuke Nakai; Takashi Azuma; Koichi Omori

Regenerative Therapy (Dec 2023)

Transplantation of autologous bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells into cerebrospinal fluid in a canine model of spinal cord injury

Yuya Nakamoto,
Tatsuo Nakamura,
Ryusuke Nakai,
Takashi Azuma,
Koichi Omori

Affiliations

Yuya Nakamoto: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Regeneration Science and Engineering Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Neuro Vets Animal Neurology Clinic, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Department of Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan; Veterinary Medical Center, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan; Corresponding author. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Konoe-Cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-Ku, 606-8501, Japan.
Tatsuo Nakamura: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Regeneration Science and Engineering Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Ryusuke Nakai: Institute for the Future of Human Society, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Takashi Azuma: Department of Regeneration Science and Engineering Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Koichi Omori: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 24
pp. 574 – 581

Abstract

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Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe dysfunction of nervous tissue, and repair via the transplantation of bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) into cerebrospinal fluid yields promising results. It is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the regenerative potential of autologous BM-MNC transplantation in a canine model of acute SCI. Methods: Six dogs were included in this study, and SCI was induced using an epidural balloon catheter between L2 and L3, particularly in the area of the anterior longitudinal ligament. BM-MNC transplantation was performed, and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted at specific time points (i.e., immediately after inducing SCI and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after inducing SCI); moreover, the expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) was evaluated. Results: MRI revealed that the signal intensity reduced over time in both BM-MNC–treated and control groups. However, the BM-MNC–treated group exhibited a significantly faster reduction than the control group during the early stages of SCI induction (BM-MNC–treated group: 4.82 ± 0.135 cm [day 0], 1.71 ± 0.134 cm [1 week], 1.37 ± 0.036 cm [2 weeks], 1.21 cm [4 weeks]; control group: 4.96 ± 0.211 cm [day 0], 2.49 ± 0.570 cm [1 week], 1.56 ± 0.045 cm [2 weeks], 1.32 cm [4 weeks]). During the early stages of treatment, GAP-43 was significantly expressed at the proximal end of the injured spinal cord in the BM-MSC–treated group, whereas it was scarcely expressed in the control group. Conclusions: In SCI, transplanted BM-MNCs can activate the expression of GAP-43, which is involved in axonal elongation (an important process in spinal cord regeneration). Thus, cell therapy with BM-MNCs can provide favorable outcomes in terms of better regenerative capabilities compared with other therapies.

Published in Regenerative Therapy

ISSN: 2352-3204 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Biology (General): Cytology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/regenerative-therapy/

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