Trans-amniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) minimizes Chiari-II malformation in experimental spina bifida.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

We sought to study the impact of trans-amniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) in the Chiari-II malformation in experimental spina bifida.

METHODS:

Sprague-Dawley fetuses (n=62) exposed to retinoic acid were divided into three groups at term (21-22 days gestation): untreated isolated spina bifida (n=21), isolated spina bifida treated with intra-amniotic injection of concentrated, syngeneic, labeled amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (afMSCs) on gestational day 17 (n=28), and normal controls (n=13). Analyses included measurements of brainstem and cerebellar placement on high resolution MRI and histology. Statistical comparisons included ANOVA.

RESULTS:

In parallel to the expected induced coverage of the spina bifida in the afMSC-treated group (P<0.001), there were statistically significant differences in brainstem displacement across the groups (P<0.001), with the highest caudal displacement in the untreated group. Significant differences in cerebellar displacement were also noted, albeit less pronounced. Pairwise comparisons were statistically significant, with P=0.014 between treated and normal controls in caudal brainstem displacement and P<0.001 for all other comparisons. Labeled afMSCs were identified in 71% of treated fetuses.

CONCLUSIONS:

Induced coverage of spina bifida by TRASCET minimizes the Chiari-II malformation in the retinoic acid rodent model, further suggesting it as a practical alternative for the prenatal management of spina bifida.

• Authors: Beatrice Dionigi, Joseph A Brazzo 3rd, Azra Ahmed, Christina Feng, Yaotang Wu, David Zurakowski, Dario O Fauza
• Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery (J Pediatr Surg) Vol. 50 Issue 6 Pg. 1037-41 (Jun 2015) ISSN: 1531-5037 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25929798 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Amnion
• Animals
• Arnold-Chiari Malformation (embryology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy (methods)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Fetal Therapies (methods)
• Genetic Therapy
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy, Animal
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Spinal Dysraphism (complications, embryology, therapy)
• Stem Cell Transplantation (methods)