Korean J Anat.  2004 Dec;37(6):529-538.

The Effect of Ependymal Cell Transplantation on Nerve Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

• Lee WT
• Oh HS
• Jeong HS
• Kim JH
• Ahn SK
• Lee JE
• Park KA

Abstract

Nerve regeneration in the central nervous system has been studied by grafting various tissues and cells. Choroid plexus epithelial cells represent a continuation of ventricular ependymal cells and have the same origin as regarded as modified ependymal cells. To study the use of choroid plexus ependymal cell grafting for nerve regeneration in the spinal cord, the choroid plexus was excised from the lateral and fourth ventricles of adult Sprague-Dawley rats, minced into small fragments, and grafted at the T9 level in adult rat spinal cord transected or contused. In this study, transplants of choroid plexus ependymal cells were successfully used to promote functional and structural recovery after spinal cord transection and contusion. The area of damaged spinal cord was diminished after choroid plexus ependymal cells transplantation. Nearly normal anterior horn cells were observed immediately distal to the transected region. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive descending fibers were observed in the distal region beyond transected area. These findings indicate that choroid plexus ependymal cells have the ability to facilitate axonal growth, suggesting that they may be a promising candidate as graft for the promotion of nerve regeneration in the spinal cord.

Keyword

Choroid plexus ependymal cell; Spinal cord injury; Nerve regeneration

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Anterior Horn Cells
Axons
Cell Transplantation*
Central Nervous System
Choroid Plexus
Contusions
Epithelial Cells
Fourth Ventricle
Humans
Nerve Regeneration*
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Transplants*
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase