Repairing and Analgesic Effects of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Mice with Spinal Cord Injury.

Transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) into spinal cord injury (SCI) may alleviate neuropathic pain and promote functional recovery. The underlying mechanism likely involves activation of glial cells and regulation of inflammatory factors but requires further validation. SCI was induced in 16 ICR mice using an SCI compression model, followed by injection of lentiviral vector-mediated green fluorescent protein- (GFP-) labeled hUC-MSCs 1 week later. Behavioral tests, histological evaluation, and inflammatory factor detection were performed in the treatment (SCI+hUC-MSCs) and model (SCI) groups. Histological evaluation revealed GFP expression in the spinal cord tissue of the treatment group, implying that the injected MSCs successfully migrated to the SCI. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores showed that motor function gradually recovered over time in both groups, but recovery speed was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the model group. The pain threshold in mice decreased after SCI but gradually increased over time owing to the self-repair function of the body. The corresponding pain threshold of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the model group, indicating the therapeutic and analgesic effects of hUC-MSCs. Expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the spinal cord tissue of the treated group decreased, whereas glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression along with ED1 expression increased compared with those in the model group, suggesting that SCI activated ED1 inflammatory macrophages/microglia, which were subsequently reduced by hUC-MSC transplantation. hUC-MSCs are speculated to enhance the repair of the injured spinal cord tissue and exert an analgesic effect by reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α and upregulating the expression of GDNF.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Ovarian Failure via the NGF/TrkA Pathway in Rats.

Chemotherapy leads to a loss of fertility and reproductive endocrine function, thereby increasing the risk of premature ovarian failure (POF). Studies have suggested that the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could inhibit apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells and improve follicular development. In the present study, the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC) transplantation on ovarian function after ovarian damage caused by chemotherapy and the mechanism underlying these effects were investigated. POF model rats were obtained by the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide, and cultured UCMSCs were transplanted by tail vein injection. Serum estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone, and anti-Mullerian hormone levels were detected by ELISA. Folliculogenesis was evaluated by histopathological examination. The expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), high affinity nerve growth factor receptor (TrkA), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and caspase-3 were evaluated by western blotting and RT-qPCR. The natural reproductive capacity was assessed by pregnant rate and numbers of embryos. The results indicated that UCMSC transplantation recovered disturbed hormone secretion and folliculogenesis in POF rats. NGF and TrkA levels increased, while FSHR and caspase-3 decreased. The pregnancy rate of POF rats was improved. Therefore, UCMSCs could reduce ovarian failure due to premature senescence caused by chemotherapy, and the NGF/TrkA signaling pathway was involved in the amelioration of POF.