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Transplantation of syngeneic neural precursor cells into the contused spinal cord using lumbar puncture |
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We have shown that neural progenitor cells (NPC) survive well and differentiate in the injured spinal cord (abstract), and support recovery of function (abstract). Issues like life-long immune suppression and minimally invasive delivery need to be considered before transplant therapies can be translated into the clinic. We have previously shown that NPC delivered via lumbar puncture (LP) accumulate at the site of injury (abstract) and we have evidence that repeated deliveries result in additive accumulation (abstract). |
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Lumbar puncture (LP) is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require major surgery or disturbs the healing process at the injury site. |
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| We have shown that neural precursor cells (NPC) delivered by LP accumulate at the site of injury and differentiate into neurons and glia. |
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In contused animals LP-delivered cells accumulated at the dorsomedial aspect of the injury site and supported recovery of bladder function. As an example, the histogram shows the effect of directly and LP-injected NPC on detrusor hyperreflexia. | |||
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In this project, we will transplant syngeneic NPC into the injured spinal cords of rats using LP. Syngeneic transplantation alleviates the need for immune suppression. Various cell doses and delivery delays will be tested to optimize efficacy. Outcome measures will include histology to determine survival, differentiation and migration of NPC as well as effect on the injury, and behavioral tests to evaluate recovery of function. |
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