Lumbar spine intrathecal transplantation of neural precursor cells promotes oligodendrocyte proliferation in hot spots of chronic demyelination. (29th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Theotokis, Paschalis; Kesidou, Evangelia; Mitsiadou, Dimitra; Petratos, Steven; Damianidou, Olympia; Boziki, Marina; Chatzidimitriou, Anastasia; Grigoriadis, Nikolaos
• Is Part Of: Brain pathology. Volume 32:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-11-29
• Subjects: connexins -- EAE -- g‐ratio -- intrathecal transplantation -- NPCs -- oligodendrogenesis; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Brain -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Brain Diseases -- Periodicals; Cerveau -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Système nerveux -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1015-6305

Abstract

Abstract: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a basic and reliable model used to study clinical and pathological hallmarks of multiple sclerosis (MS) in rodents. Several studies suggest neural precursor cells (NPCs) as a significant research tool while reporting that transplanted NPCs are a promising therapeutic approach to treating neurological disorders, such as MS. The main objective was to approach a preclinical, in vivo scenario of oligodendrogenesis with NPCs, targeting the main chronic demyelinated lumbosacral milieu of EAE, via the least invasive delivery method which is lumbar puncture. We utilized MOG35‐55 peptide to induce EAE in C57BL/6 mice and prior to the acute relapse, we intervened with either the traceable GFP + cellular therapy or saline solution in the intrathecal space of their lumbar spine. A BrdU injection, which enabled us to monitor endogenous proliferation, marked the endpoint 50 days post‐induction (50 dpi). Neuropathology with high‐throughput, triple immunofluorescent, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data were extracted and analyzed. The experimental treatment attenuated the chronic phase of EAE (50 dpi; score <1) following an acute, clinical relapse. Myelination and axonal integrity were rescued in the NPC‐treated animals along with suppressed immune populations. The differentiation profile of the exogenous NPCs and endogenous BrdU + cells was location‐dependent where GFP + ‐rich areas drove undifferentiated phenotypes toward the oligodendrocyte lineage. In situ oligodendrocyte enrichment was demonstrated through increased ( p < 0.001) gap junction channels of Cx32 and Cx47, reliable markers for proliferative oligodendroglia syncytium. TEM morphometric analysis ultimately manifested an increased g‐ratio in lumbosacral fibers of the recovered animals ( p < 0.001). Herein, we suggest that a single, lumbar intrathecal administration of NPCs capacitated a viable cellular load and resulted in clinical and pathological amelioration, stimulating resident OPCs to overcome the remyelination failure in EAE demyelinating locale. Abstract : We report that a single intrathecal lumbar spine administration of NPCs can deliver a viable cell load that is maintained up to 50 dpi, limiting effectively the expected oligodendrocytic depletion and chronic demyelination of EAE. This is the first study that delineates the roles of NPCs specifically on host oligodendrogenesis (through BrdU + /Olig2 + /GFP − cells) and in vivo oligodendrocyte proliferation in the demyelinating milieu. Our results suggest that this was potentiated through a direct, in situ preservation of the oligodendrocyte chemical coupling and also through remyelination of subpial white matter funiculi, in a model which is otherwise devoid of such capability.