Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (2): 202-207.

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Effects and mechanism of the transplantation of human umbilical cord blood msenchymal stem cells to treat spinal cord injury

SUN Li1, YU Li1, ZHANG Hua-fang2, WANG Li1,WEI Zhi-xin1   

  1. 1.Department of Histology and embryology ,Weifang medical college , Weifang 261053, China; 2. Weifang People Hospital, Weifang 261041
  • Received:2010-10-03 Online:2011-03-25 Published:2011-03-28

Abstract:

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human umbilical cord blood on rat spinal cord injury. Methods MSCs were separated and purified from human umbilical cord blood. The spinal cord semi-transection was done on adult rats and then the animals were randomly divided into three groups which were treated with BrdU labeled MSCs, culture medium or saline respectively. Functional outcome was measured using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnehan (BBB) score method periodically up to 28 days post-surgery. MSCs survival and migration were observed by immunofluorescence double labeling techniques. The expression pattern of HMGB1 and NF-κB were detected by immunohistochemical techniques. Results BBB score showed that locomotor improvement in MSCs transplantation groups was much better than that of normal saline group and culture medium group at 28 days post-transplantation (P<0.05). BrdU-labeled MSCs could be detected in the lesion area at 7, 14 and 21 days post-transplantation. 53.3% of transplanted BrdU-positive cells were GFAP-positive, and 22.15% of them were NSE-positive. The positive rate of HMGB1 and NF-κB expression in MSCs transplantation group were lower than that in saline group and culture medium group, and there was a significant differences among three groups (P<0.05). Conclusions MSCs could promote functional recovery of the injuried spinal cord by replacing damaged nerve cells and alleviating inflammatory reaction.

Key words: Human umbilical cord blood, Mesenchymal stem cells, Spinal cord injury, Regeneration

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