Asian Spine J.  2018 Dec;12(6):998-1009. 10.31616/asj.2018.12.6.998.

Functional Recovery Following the Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells in Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model

• Muniswami
• Tharion G

• KMID: 2430632
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.31616/asj.2018.12.6.998

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from rat olfactory mucosa were cultured, characterized, and transplanted into a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). PURPOSE: To evaluate different doses of OECs in a rat model of SCI. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: SCI causes permanent functional deficit because the central nervous system lacks the ability to perform spontaneous repair. Cell therapy strategies are being explored globally. The clinical use of human embryonic stem cell is hampered by ethical controversies. Alternatively, OECs are a promising cell source for neurotransplantation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different doses of allogenic OEC transplantation in a rat model of SCI.
METHODS
OECs were cultured from the olfactory mucosa of Albino Wistar rats; these cells were characterized using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Rats were divided into five groups (n=6 rats each). In each group, different dosage (2×10⁵, 5×10⁵, 10×10⁵, and >10×10⁵) of cultured cells were transplanted into experimentally injured spinal cords of rat models. However, in the SCI group, only DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) was injected. Rats were followed up upto 8 weeks post-transplantation. The outcome of transplantation was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scale; motor-evoked potential studies; and histological examination.
RESULTS
Cultured cells expressed 41% of p75NTR, a marker for OEC, and 35% of anti-fibronectin, a marker for olfactory nerve fibroblast. These cells also expressed S100β and glial fibrillary acid protein of approximately 75% and 83%, respectively. All the transplanted groups showed promising BBB scores for hind-limb motor recovery compared with the SCI group (p < 0.05). A motor-evoked potential study showed increased amplitude in all the treated groups compared with the SCI. Green fluorescent protein-labeled cells survived in the injured cord, suggesting their role in the transplantation-mediated repair. Transplantation of 5×10⁵ cells showed the best motor outcomes among all the doses.
CONCLUSIONS
OECs demonstrated a therapeutic effect in rat models with the potential for future clinical applications.

Keyword

Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan score; Drop-weight injury; Electromyographic amplitude; Histology; Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Cells, Cultured
Central Nervous System
Fibroblasts
Flow Cytometry
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Immunohistochemistry
Models, Animal
Olfactory Mucosa
Olfactory Nerve
Rats*
Rats, Wistar
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein