Optimal time for subarachnoid transplantation of neural progenitor cells in the treatment of contusive spinal cord injury

This study aimed to identify the optimal neural progenitor cell transplantation time for spinal cord injury in rats via the subarachnoid space. Cultured neural progenitor cells from 14-day embryonic rats, constitutively expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein, or media alone, were injected into the subarachnoid space of adult rats at 1 hour （acute stage）, 7 days （subacute stage） and 28 days （chronic stage） after contusive spinal cord injury. Results showed that grafted neural progenitor cells migrated and aggregated around the blood vessels of the injured region, and infiltrated the spinal cord parenchyma along the tissue spaces in the acute stage transplantation group. However, this was not observed in subacute and chronic stage transplantation groups. 04- and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells, representing oligodendrocytes and astrocytes respectively, were detected in the core of the grafted cluster attached to the cauda equina pia surface in the chronic stage transplantation group 8 weeks after transplantation. Both acute and subacute stage transplantation groups were negative for 04 and glial fibrillary acidic protein cells. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale score comparisons indicated that rat hind limb locomotor activity showed better recovery after acute stage transplantation than after subacute and chronic transplantation. Our experimental findings suggest that the subarachnoid route could be useful for transplantation of neural progenitor cells at the acute stage of spinal cord injury. Although grafted cells survived only for a short time and did not differentiate into astrocytes or neurons, they were able to reach the parenchyma of the injured spinal cord and improve neurological function in rats. Transplantation efficacy was enhanced at the acute stage in comparison with subacute and chronic stages.

Cell transplantation for Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE: The motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) can be improved by cell transplantation, which has caught general attention from the field of the therapy for PD recently. In this paper, we summarize the cell-based therapy for PD. DATA SOURCES: A search for English literature related to the cellular transplantation of PD from January 1979 to July 2006 was conducted in Medline with the key words of 'Parkinson's disease, cell transplantation, embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells'. STUDY SELECTION: Data were checked in the first trial, and literatures about PD and cell transplantation were selected. Inclusive criteria: ① PD; ② Cell transplantation. Exclusive criteria: repetitive researches. DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 100 papers related to cellular transplant and PD were collected and 41 literatures were in accordance with the inclusive criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS: PD is a neural degeneration disease that threatens the health of the aged people, and most traditional therapeusis cannot delay its pathological proceeding. Cell transplantation is becoming popular as a new therapeutic tool, and the cells used to transplant mainly included dopamine-secreting cells, fetal ventral mesencephalic cells, embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells up to now. Animal experiment and clinical test demonstrate that cell transplantation can relieve the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease obviously, but there are some problems need to be solved. CONCLUSION: Cell transplantation has visible therapeutic efficacy on PD. Following the improvement of technique, and we have enough cause to credit that cell therapy may cure PD in the future.of 'Parkinson's disease, cell transplantation, embryonic stem cells, neural stem cells'. STUDY SELECTION: Data were checked in the first trial, and literatures about PD and cell transplantation were selected. Inclusive criteria: ① PD; ② Cell transplantation. Exclusive criteria: repetitive researches. DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 100 papers related to cellular transplant and PD were collected and 41 literatures were in accordance with the inclusive criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS: PD is a neural degeneration disease that threatens the health of the aged people, and most traditional therapeusis cannot delay its pathological proceeding. Cell transplantation is becoming popular as a new therapeutic tool, and the cells used to transplant mainly included dopamine-secreting cells, fetal ventral mesencephalic cells, embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells up to now. Animal experiment and clinical test demonstrate that cell transplantation can relieve the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease obviously, but there are some problems need to be solved. CONCLUSION: Cell transplantation has visible therapeutic efficacy on PD. Following the improvement of technique, and we have enough cause to credit that cell therapy may cure PD in the future.

Cell-based therapy in Alzheimer's disease: Current knowledge and perspective

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most prevalent type of dementia,and its neuropathology is characterized by the deposition of insolubleβ‐amyloid(Aβ)peptides,intracellular neurofibrillary tangles,amyloid angiopathy,age‐related brain atrophy,synaptic pathology,white matter rarefaction,granulovacuolar degeneration,neuron loss,and neuroinflammation.Although much is known about the neurobiology of AD,very few conventional therapies are available to arrest or slow the disease.There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches for AD.AD subjects have significantly fewer viable precursor cells in the hippocampus compared with age‐matched healthy control subjects.However,the viable precursor cells that remain in AD and age‐matched healthy control brain specimens can be induced to differentiate.To facilitate or mimic the natural compensatory effect in AD,cell therapy,including endogenous and exogenous stem cells,has been considered in AD.In this review,we focus on the history and development of cell therapy in AD,and consider the role of cell therapy as a potential treatment for AD.