Schwann cells (SCs) are the major cells constituting the peripheral nerve structure and function, and also secret a variety of
neurotrophic factors. Schwann cell (SC)
transplantation has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for
spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present study, the ability of genetically modified SCs producing high levels of glial cell line‑derived
neurotrophic factor (
GDNF) to promote spinal cord repair was assessed. The
GDNF gene was transduced into SCs. The engineered SCs were characterized by their ability to express and secrete biologically active
GDNF, which was shown to inhibit apoptosis of primary rat neurons induced by radiation, and upregulate the expression of B‑cell
lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) and downregulate the expression of Bcl‑2 associated X
protein (Bax) in vitro. Following SC implantation into the spinal cord of adult rats with SCI induced by weight‑drop impact, the survival of rats with transplanted SCs, histology of the spinal cord and expression levels of Bcl‑2 and Bax were examined.
Transplantation of unmodified and genetically modified SCs producing
GDNF attenuated SCI by inhibiting apoptosis via the Bcl‑2/Bax pathways. The genetically modified SCs demonstrated markedly improved recovery of SCI as compared with unmodified SCs. The present study combined the outgrowth‑promoting property of SCs with the
neuroprotective effects of overexpressed
GDNF and identified this as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for SCI.