Ex vivo non-viral vector-mediated neurotrophin-3 gene transfer to olfactory ensheathing glia: effects on axonal regeneration and functional recovery after implantation in rats with spinal cord injury

Neurosci Bull. 2008 Apr;24(2):57-65. doi: 10.1007/s12264-008-0057-y.

Abstract

Objective: Combine olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) implantation with ex vivo non-viral vector-based neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene therapy in attempting to enhance regeneration after thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Primary OEG were transfected with cationic liposome-mediated recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3 and subsequently implanted into adult Wistar rats directly after the thoracic spinal cord (T9) contusion by the New York University impactor. The animals in 3 different groups received 4x10(5) OEG transfected with pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3 or pcDNA3.1(+) plasmids, or the OEGs without any plasmid transfection, respectively; the fourth group was untreated group, in which no OEG was implanted.

Results: NT-3 production was seen increased both ex vivo and in vivo in pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3 transfected OEGs. Three months after implantation of NT-3-transfected OEGs, behavioral analysis revealed that the hindlimb function of SCI rats was improved. All spinal cords were filled with regenerated neurofilament-positive axons. Retrograde tracing revealed enhanced regenerative axonal sprouting.

Conclusion: Non-viral vector-mediated genetic engineering of OEG was safe and more effective in producing NT-3 and promoting axonal outgrowth followed by enhancing SCI recovery in rats.

目的: 将神经营养素-3 (neurotrophin-3, NT-3) 基因转染的탡쟊细胞 (olfactory ensheathing glia, OEG) 移植到脊쯨损伤大鼠体内, 以期促进大鼠탘脊쯨损伤的恢复.

方法: 将自行构建的质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3, 应用脂质体介导的方法导入体外培养的OEG, 将其移植入急性脊쯨损伤大鼠体内, 连续观察12 周, 与接受单纯OEG 移植和空白质粒转染OEG移植及无OEG移植的脊쯨损伤大鼠进行比较.

结果: pcDNA3.1(+)-NT3转染的OEG移植后能在体内长期存活, 表达NT-3 基因, 并较对照组更能促进脊쯨损伤区훡突的再生和后肢功能的恢复.

结论: OEG 是脊쯨损伤基因治疗较好的受体细胞. 转染OEG移植后可以在体内较长时间存活. 能明显促进急性脊쯨듬伤神经纤维再生和功能恢复的作用, 为基因修饰탡 쟊细胞在脊쯨损伤治疗的应用提供了实验和理论依据.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Brain Tissue Transplantation / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA, Recombinant / therapeutic use
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer Techniques*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Graft Survival / genetics
  • Growth Cones / metabolism
  • Growth Cones / ultrastructure
  • Nerve Regeneration / genetics*
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neuroglia / transplantation*
  • Neurotrophin 3 / biosynthesis
  • Neurotrophin 3 / genetics*
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology
  • Olfactory Bulb / transplantation
  • Paralysis / metabolism
  • Paralysis / physiopathology
  • Paralysis / therapy
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Recovery of Function / genetics
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / metabolism
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Neurotrophin 3