Project Details
Projekt
Neural differentiation potential of USSC in vitro and in vivo
Applicants
Professor Dr. Kurt Gottmann; Professor Dr. Hans Werner Müller; Professorin Dr. Christine R. Rose
Subject Area
Hematology, Oncology
Term
from 2007 to 2011
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 20803802
Implantation of unrestricted somatic stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood (USSC) represents a potential strategy for cell therapies of neurodegenerative diseases or CNS injury. In this project we will investigate the potential of USSC to improve axonal regeneration and functional (locomotor) recovery in rat models of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In our preliminary work we could demonstrate that local implantation of USSC into injured thoracic spinal cord and migration of the grafted cells into the lesion zone led to substantially enhanced axon growth and significant locomotor improvement as revealed by several established behavioural tests (open field, gridwalk, CatWalk). In this project we will (i) characterize fiber tract-specific reactions following USSC grafting into the injured spinal cord, (ii) analyze neuroprotective responses including tissue sparing and retrograde rescue of cortical neurons, (iii) determine cell dosage, timing (acute vs. subacute) and route (local vs. systemic) of USSC application to optimize axon regeneration and functional outcome in SCI, (iv) identify potential regeneration-promoting proteins secreted by USSC using a differential proteome (secretome) approach in collaboration with A4, (v) infuse selected neurite growth-promoting USSC-CM factors to prove the paracrine support of USSC in SCI, (vi) include spinal contusion as a second clinically more relevant type of injury and (vii) further compare USSC with human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in spinal cord repair.
DFG Programme
Research Units
