Use of fibrin sealant associated with mononuclear cells to repair motor roots at CNS/PNS interface

Author(s)

Roberta Barbizan Petinari

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2014-03-14

Examining board members

Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira; Guilherme de Araújo Lucas; Marcondes Cavalcante Franca Junior; Valéria Paula Sassoli Fazan; João Damasceno Lopes Filho

• Advisor: Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira

Abstract

Ventral root avulsion (VRA) is an experimental model of proximal axonal injury at the central/peripheral nervous system interface that results in expressive neuronal death. In order to decrease neuronal degeneration, bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) has been proposed to treat such injuries. However, BMSC therapy is not effective without concurrent root replantation. In this sense, the use of a brasilian fibrin sealant, may be useful to facilitate the reconnection of avulsed roots at the spinal cord surface. The aim of the present work was to study the neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, glial reaction and neurotrophic factor (BDNF and GDNF) production in the spinal motoneuron microenviroment and nerve regeneration after VRA and replantation with fibrin glue associated with BMSC therapy. Female Lewis rats (7 weeks old) were subjected to VRA and roots replantation. The animals were divided into the following groups (n=5 for each group): Group 1 ¿ avulsion only; Group 2 ¿ avulsion and DMEM injected; Group 3- the roots were replanted with fibrin sealant; Group 4 - the avulsed roots were repaired with fibrin sealant associated with BMSC; Group 5 ¿ the avulsed roots were repaired with sealant and BMSC injected at the respective spinal cord segments. EGFP-Lewis rats were used as BMSC donors. Flow cytometry was used to characterize the BMSC. The rats were sacrificed (1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery) and their lumbar intumescences processed for motoneuron counting, immunohistochemistry (used antisera: GFAP- glial fibrillary acidic protein, an astroglial marker; Iba-1- ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule, a microglial marker; synaptophysin - a synaptic marker and BDNF - brain derived neurotrophic factor) and PCR (Iba-1, GFAP, BDNF, GDNF). Nerve regeneration was assessed by morphological analysis of the sciatic nerve (nerve size, number and morphology of myelinated fibers) and motor function recovery (walking track test). The results indicated preservation of synaptic covering of the lesioned motoneurons and neuronal survival in the groups repaired with sealant alone and SCT treated. The replanted groups did not show significant changes in microglial response as compared to VRA by immunohistochemistry although these changes were observed at lumbar by PCR. Replanted groups show changes in astrogliosis reaction at motoneuron vicinity 12 weeks after surgery. Additionally, the cell transplanted group showed increased neurotrophins expression by PCR analysis. Nerve regeneration results indicated that the replantation alone or associated with BMSC promoted improvement in motor recovery and the intensity of the pressure exerted by the paws. Moreover, the average number of myelinated axons was higher in treated group when compared to avulsion only. In addition to counting of axons, the morphometric analysis of different parameters namely the diameter of nerve fibers, diameter of axons, thickness of myelin sheath and ratio "g" were significantly improved after reimplantation of ventral roots. The present data suggest that the repair of avulsed roots with the fibrin sealant alone or associated with BMSC is neuroprotective and contributes to the maintenance of spinal cord circuits leading to regeneration and recovery of motor function (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/00729-2 - The use of a fibrin sealant combined with bonemarrow mononuclear stem cells to repair motor roots after avulsion in the interface of CNS/PNS
• Grantee: Roberta Barbizan Petinari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate