Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) improves functional recovery in experimental models of spinal cord injury (SCI); however, the mechanisms underlying this effect are not completely understood. We investigated the effect of intrathecal implantation of human MSC on functional recovery, astrogliosis and levels of inflammatory cytokines in rats using balloon-induced spinal cord compression lesions. Transplanted cells did not survive at the lesion site of the spinal cord; however, functional recovery was enhanced in the MSC-treated group as was confirmed by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) and the flat beam test. Morphometric analysis showed a significantly higher amount of remaining white matter in the cranial part of the lesioned spinal cords. Immunohistochemical analysis of the lesions indicated the rearrangement of the glial scar in MSC-treated animals. Real-time PCR analysis revealed an increased expression of Irf5, Mrc1, Fgf2, Gap43 and Gfap. Transplantation of MSCs into a lesioned spinal cord reduced TNFα, IL-4, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-12 and increased the levels of MIP-1α and RANTES when compared to saline-treated controls. Intrathecal implantation of MSCs reduces the inflammatory reaction and apoptosis, improves functional recovery and modulates glial scar formation after SCI, regardless of cell survival. Therefore, repeated applications may prolong the beneficial effects induced by MSC application.

• MeSH
• Chemokine CCL5 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Interferon Regulatory Factors genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Interleukins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Locomotion MeSH
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells metabolism   MeSH
• Spinal Cord Injuries metabolism   therapy   MeSH
• Rats, Wistar MeSH
• GAP-43 Protein genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, Immunologic genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Chemokine CCL5 MeSH
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 MeSH
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein MeSH
• Interferon Regulatory Factors MeSH
• Interleukins MeSH
• GAP-43 Protein MeSH
• Receptors, Immunologic MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha MeSH