Histological and functional benefit following transplantation of motor neuron progenitors to the injured rat spinal cord.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Motor neuron loss is characteristic of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and contributes to functional deficit.

Methodology/principal findings

In order to investigate the amenability of the injured adult spinal cord to motor neuron differentiation, we transplanted spinal cord injured animals with a high purity population of human motor neuron progenitors (hMNP) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). In vitro, hMNPs displayed characteristic motor neuron-specific markers, a typical electrophysiological profile, functionally innervated human or rodent muscle, and secreted physiologically active growth factors that caused neurite branching and neuronal survival. hMNP transplantation into cervical SCI sites in adult rats resulted in suppression of intracellul

SUBMITTER: Rossi SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2912300 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature