Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Date (from‐to) : 2013/04 -2017/03
Author : HAMAJIMA Yuki
Olfactory mucosa autografts transplantation has been shown to improve the outcome after spinal cord injury. Olfactory mucosa contain neural stem cells, called olfactory stem cells (OSCs), which produce broad trophic support required for promoting axonal regeneration. The OSCs were isolated from the olfactory mucosae of newborn mice and expressed the neural stem cell markers, Nestin, Musashi-1, Nanog, and Sox-2. When differentiated, the OSCs expressed bIII-tubulin, GalC and GFAP, confirming the multipotency of the OSC. The OSCs secreted nerve growth factor and several cytokines that can promote nerve regeneration. In this study, Medgel, a biodegradable hydrogel sponge, was applied to place OSCs around the transplanted site and to avoid the local hostile environment. When OSCs were transplanted after facial nerve injury, accelerated recovery was observed for one week. When OSCs were transplanted with Medgel, a higher level of accelerated recovery was observed throughout the study.