Plasma as a Scaffold for Regeneration of Neural Precursor Cells after Transplantation into Rats with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

The present study investigated whether plasma could be useful as a scaffold for cell transplantation in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Transplantation of cells with plasma promoted the recovery of SCI-induced motor dysfunction. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the grafted cells had differentiated into the neural lineage. When dissociated neural precursor cells were cultured with plasma, extensive neurite outgrowth was observed along with increased expression of p35 and NF68. Neural markers were also expressed by the cultured cells. Culture with plasma reduced thymidine incorporation, but promoted cell growth and increased the RNA contents. These findings suggest that the cells underwent differentiation into neurons in the presence of plasma. In conclusion, plasma could be a promising scaffold for cell transplantation therapy.