The 3D characteristics of post-traumatic syringomyelia in a rat model: a propagation-based synchrotron radiation microtomography study

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1218-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenghui Liao ◽  
Shuangfei Ni ◽  
Yong Cao ◽  
Xianzhen Yin ◽  
Tianding Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Synchrotron Radiation ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
3D Morphology ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Cystic Cavity ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Synchrotron Radiation Microtomography

Many published literature sources have described the histopathological characteristics of post-traumatic syringomyelia (PTS). However, three-dimensional (3D) visualization studies of PTS have been limited due to the lack of reliable 3D imaging techniques. In this study, the imaging efficiency of propagation-based synchrotron radiation microtomography (PB-SRµCT) was determined to detect the 3D morphology of the cavity and surrounding microvasculature network in a rat model of PTS. The rat model of PTS was established using the infinite horizon impactor to produce spinal cord injury (SCI), followed by a subarachnoid injection of kaolin to produce arachnoiditis. PB-SRµCT imaging and histological examination, as well as fluorescence staining, were conducted on the animals at the tenth week after SCI. The 3D morphology of the cystic cavity was vividly visualized using PB-SRµCT imaging. The quantitative parameters analyzed by PB-SRµCT, including the lesion and spared spinal cord tissue area, the minimum and maximum diameters in the cystic cavity, and cavity volume, were largely consistent with the results of the histological assessment. Moreover, the 3D morphology of the cavity and surrounding angioarchitecture could be simultaneously detected on the PB-SRµCT images. This study demonstrated that high-resolution PB-SRµCT could be used for the 3D visualization of trauma-induced spinal cord cavities and provides valuable quantitative data for cavity characterization. PB-SRµCT could be used as a reliable imaging technique and offers a novel platform for tracking cavity formation and morphological changes in an experimental animal model of PTS.

scholarly journals Exendin-4 Plays a Protective Role in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury Through SERCA2

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 617-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonglei Sun ◽  
Yingfu Liu ◽  
Xianbin Kong ◽  
Renjie Wang ◽  
Yunqiang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1 ◽  
Long Acting

Background/Aims: Current therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) have limited efficacy, and identifying a therapeutic target is a pressing need. Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA2) plays an important role in regulating calcium homeostasis, which has been shown to inhibit apoptosis. Exendin-4 has been shown to inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells in SCI, which can also improve SERCA2 expression. In this study, we sought to determine whether exendin-4 plays a protective role in a rat model of SCI via SERCA2. Methods: To investigate the effects of exendin-4 on SCI, a rat model of SCI was induced by a modified version of Allen’s method. Spinal cord tissue sections from rats and western blot analysis were used to examine SERCA2 expression after treatment with the long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor exendin-4 or the SERCA2 antagonist 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CE). Locomotor function was evaluated using the Basso Beattie Bresnahan locomotor rating scale and slanting board test. Results: Cell apoptosis was increased with CE treatment and decreased with exendin-4 treatment. Upregulation of SERCA2 in female rats with SCI resulted in an improvement of motor function scores and histological changes. Conclusion: These findings suggest that exendin-4 plays a protective role in a rat model of SCI through SERCA2 via inhibition of apoptosis. Existing drugs targeting SERCA2 may be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCI.

scholarly journals The Effect of iPS-Derived Neural Progenitors Seeded on Laminin-Coated pHEMA-MOETACl Hydrogel with Dual Porosity in a Rat Model of Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiri Ruzicka ◽  
Nataliya Romanyuk ◽  
Klara Jirakova ◽  
Ales Hejcl ◽  
Olga Janouskova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Neural Progenitors ◽  
Sensory Function ◽  
Dual Porosity ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI), is a devastating condition leading to the loss of locomotor and sensory function below the injured segment. Despite some progress in acute SCI treatment using stem cells and biomaterials, chronic SCI remains to be addressed. We have assessed the use of laminin-coated hydrogel with dual porosity, seeded with induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors (iPSC-NPs), in a rat model of chronic SCI. iPSC-NPs cultured for 3 weeks in hydrogel in vitro were positive for nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). These cell-polymer constructs were implanted into a balloon compression lesion, 5 weeks after lesion induction. Animals were behaviorally tested, and spinal cord tissue was immunohistochemically analyzed 28 weeks after SCI. The implanted iPSC-NPs survived in the scaffold for the entire experimental period. Host axons, astrocytes and blood vessels grew into the implant and an increased sprouting of host TH+ fibers was observed in the lesion vicinity. The implantation of iPSC-NP-LHM cell-polymer construct into the chronic SCI led to the integration of material into the injured spinal cord, reduced cavitation and supported the iPSC-NPs survival, but did not result in a statistically significant improvement of locomotor recovery.

scholarly journals Multi-pronged neuromodulation intervention engages the residual motor circuitry to facilitate walking in a rat model of spinal cord injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bonizzato ◽  
Nicholas D. James ◽  
Galyna Pidpruzhnykova ◽  
Natalia Pavlova ◽  
Polina Shkorbatova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Learning Algorithm ◽  
Lumbar Spinal Cord ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Potential Synergy ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Deep Brain

AbstractA spinal cord injury usually spares some components of the locomotor circuitry. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the midbrain locomotor region and epidural electrical stimulation of the lumbar spinal cord (EES) are being used to tap into this spared circuitry to enable locomotion in humans with spinal cord injury. While appealing, the potential synergy between DBS and EES remains unknown. Here, we report the synergistic facilitation of locomotion when DBS is combined with EES in a rat model of severe contusion spinal cord injury leading to leg paralysis. However, this synergy requires high amplitudes of DBS, which triggers forced locomotion associated with stress responses. To suppress these undesired responses, we link DBS to the intention to walk, decoded from cortical activity using a robust, rapidly calibrated unsupervised learning algorithm. This contingency amplifies the supraspinal descending command while empowering the rats into volitional walking. However, the resulting improvements may not outweigh the complex technological framework necessary to establish viable therapeutic conditions.

scholarly journals A Collagen-Based Scaffold for Promoting Neural Plasticity in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2245
Author(s):  
Jue-Zong Yeh ◽  
Ding-Han Wang ◽  
Juin-Hong Cherng ◽  
Yi-Wen Wang ◽  
Gang-Yi Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Collagen Scaffold ◽  
Glial Scar ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cord Injury

In spinal cord injury (SCI) therapy, glial scarring formed by activated astrocytes is a primary problem that needs to be solved to enhance axonal regeneration. In this study, we developed and used a collagen scaffold for glial scar replacement to create an appropriate environment in an SCI rat model and determined whether neural plasticity can be manipulated using this approach. We used four experimental groups, as follows: SCI-collagen scaffold, SCI control, normal spinal cord-collagen scaffold, and normal control. The collagen scaffold showed excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility. Immunofluorescence staining revealed increased expression of neurofilament and fibronectin and reduced expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and anti-chondroitin sulfate in the collagen scaffold-treated SCI rats at 1 and 4 weeks post-implantation compared with that in untreated SCI control. This indicates that the collagen scaffold implantation promoted neuronal survival and axonal growth within the injured site and prevented glial scar formation by controlling astrocyte production for their normal functioning. Our study highlights the feasibility of using the collagen scaffold in SCI repair. The collagen scaffold was found to exert beneficial effects on neuronal activity and may help in manipulating synaptic plasticity, implying its great potential for clinical application in SCI.

scholarly journals Spinal Cord Repair: From Cells and Tissue Engineering to Extracellular Vesicles

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1872
Author(s):  
Shaowei Guo ◽  
Idan Redenski ◽  
Shulamit Levenberg
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Severe Motor

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition, often leading to severe motor, sensory, or autonomic nervous dysfunction. As the holy grail of regenerative medicine, promoting spinal cord tissue regeneration and functional recovery are the fundamental goals. Yet, effective regeneration of injured spinal cord tissues and promotion of functional recovery remain unmet clinical challenges, largely due to the complex pathophysiology of the condition. The transplantation of various cells, either alone or in combination with three-dimensional matrices, has been intensively investigated in preclinical SCI models and clinical trials, holding translational promise. More recently, a new paradigm shift has emerged from cell therapy towards extracellular vesicles as an exciting “cell-free” therapeutic modality. The current review recapitulates recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives of cell-based spinal cord tissue engineering and regeneration strategies.

scholarly journals The Therapeutic Potential of Conditioned Medium from Human Breast Milk Stem Cells in Treating Spinal Cord Injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Borhani-Haghighi ◽  
Shadan Navid ◽  
Yousef Mohamadi
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Breast Milk ◽  
Conditioned Medium ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Intrathecal Administration ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Cord Injury

Study Design: Experimental animal study.Purpose: This study investigated the therapeutic effects of human breast milk stem cell (BMSC)-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) in a model of spinal cord injury (SCI) in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Overview of Literature: SCI is one of the leading causes of disability in addition to sensory and motor impairment. So far, there have been no successful treatments for SCI. Given the positive outcomes associated with using stem cells and their derivatives as a treatment for various diseases, there is a growing interest in using them as an SCI treatment. Recent research has demonstrated that CM from stem cells has therapeutic advantages.Methods: Human BMSCs were isolated and characterized, and CM was subsequently collected. Animals received an intrathecal administration of BMSC-CM after SCI. The activity of caspase-3 was measured to assess apoptosis, and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β were measured to assess inflammation. Also, sensory and locomotor performances were assessed after SCI and BMSC-CM administration.Results: Administration of CM from BMSC reduced apoptosis and inflammation at the site of injury in a rat model of SCI (p<0.05). Motor, sensory, locomotor, and sensorimotor performances were significantly improved in rats that received BMSC-CM after SCI.Conclusions: Intrathecal administration of BMSC-CM improved recovery in a rat model of SCI.

scholarly journals Amount of Torque and Duration of Stretching Affects Correction of Knee Contracture in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

2013 ◽  
Vol 471 (11) ◽  
pp. 3626-3636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideki Moriyama ◽  
Yoshiko Tobimatsu ◽  
Junya Ozawa ◽  
Nobuhiro Kito ◽  
Ryo Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Rat Model ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Knee Contracture

scholarly journals The Role of IL-17 Promotes Spinal Cord Neuroinflammation via Activation of the Transcription Factor STAT3 after Spinal Cord Injury in the Rat

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaohui Zong ◽  
Gaofeng Zeng ◽  
Ye Fang ◽  
Jinzhen Peng ◽  
Yong Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Hind Limb ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Stat3 Signaling ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Disease Stages

Study Design.In this study, we investigated the role of IL-17 via activation of STAT3 in the pathophysiology of SCI.Objective.The purpose of the experiments is to study the expression of IL-17 and related cytokines via STAT3 signaling pathways, which is caused by the acute inflammatory response following SCI in different periods via establishing an acute SCI model in rat.Methods.Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan hind limb locomotor rating scale was used to assess the rat hind limb motor function. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression levels of IL-17 and p-STAT3 in spinal cord tissues. Western blotting analysis was used to determine the protein expression of p-STAT3 in spinal cord tissue. RT-PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression of IL-17 and IL-23p19 in the spleen tissue. ELISA was used to determine the peripheral blood serum levels of IL-6, IL-21, and IL-23.Results.Compared to the sham-operated group, the expression levels of IL-17, p-STAT3, IL-6, IL-21, and IL-23 were significantly increased and peaked at 24 h after SCI. The increased levels of cytokines were correlated with the SCI disease stages.Conclusion.IL-17 may play an important role in promoting spinal cord neuroinflammation after SCI via activation of STAT3.

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