Combined treatment of cervical spinal cord injury with self-assembling peptides and neuronal precursor cells

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Klaus Zweckberger
• Subject Area: Molecular and Cellular Neurology and Neuropathology
• Term: from 2013 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 235130684

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), patients show axonal dysfunction and, thus, neurological deficits as a consequence of axonal demyelinisation. Transplantation of adult neural precursor cells (aNPCs) might provide the opportunity to remyelinate spinal cord axons and enhance functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Due to the development of a central cavity following SCI, however, integration and functional interaction of aNPCs is impeded. Therefore, the aim of this current application is to investigate if the combined use of tissue-engineering techniques (implantation of self-assembling peptides (SAPs)) and aNPCs might offer an opportunity to bridge the lesion and, thus, improve the conditions for the integration of the transplanted cells that may lead to an improved neurological function. Thereby, the lesion and the size of the glial scar will be quantified immonhistochemically and the neurological outcome by functional tests and in vivo electrophysiology. Successful regeneration and integration of cells, as a parameter of neuronal specific plasticity, will be examined by administration of DT (diphtheria toxin) and the ablation of graft cells 6 weeks after the transplantation of aNPCs. In order to investigate functional interaction and integration of aNPCs -deriving cells transneuronal tracing with PRV (Pseudorabies virus) will be performed. Finally, functional remyelinisation will be analyzed by in vitro electrophysiology (compound action potentials) and axonal tracing with FluoroGold (FG) and biotinylated dextran amines (BDA). This research will contribute to devise techniques and interventions to enable patients to recover more optimally following spinal cord injury.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professor Dr. Michael Fehlings