Effect of neuroglobin genetically modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on spinal cord injury in rabbits.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study aims to investigate the potentially protective effect of neuroglobin (Ngb) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in rabbits.

METHODS:

A lentiviral vector containing an Ngb gene was constructed and used to deliver Ngb to BMSCs. Ngb gene-modified BMSCs were then injected at the SCI sites 24 hours after SCI. The motor functions of the rabbits were evaluated by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan rating scale. Fluorescence microscopy, quantitative real-time PCRs, Western blots, malondialdehyde (MDA) tests, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTP end labeling assays were also performed.

RESULTS:

Ngb expression in the Ngb-BMSC group increased significantly. A more significant functional improvement was observed in the Ngb-BMSC group compared with those in the other groups. Traumatic SCI seemingly led to an increase in MDA level and number of apoptotic cells, which can be prevented by Ngb-BMSC treatment.

CONCLUSION:

This study demonstrates that Ngb gene-modified BMSCs can strengthen the therapeutic benefits of BMSCs in reducing secondary damage and improving the neurological outcome after traumatic SCI. Therefore, the combined strategy of BMSC transplantation and Ngb gene therapy can be used to treat traumatic SCI.

• Authors: Wen-Ping Lin, Xuan-Wei Chen, Li-Qun Zhang, Chao-Yang Wu, Zi-Da Huang, Jian-Hua Lin
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 8 Issue 5 Pg. e63444 ( 2013) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23658829 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• Neuroglobin
• Malondialdehyde
• Globins

Topics

• Animals
• Bone Marrow Cells (cytology)
• Gene Transfer Techniques
• Globins (genetics)
• Malondialdehyde (metabolism)
• Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation (methods)
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (genetics)
• Neuroglobin
• Rabbits
• Spinal Cord Injuries (genetics, metabolism, surgery)
• Transgenes (genetics)
• Up-Regulation