Probability of viral labeling of neural stem cells in vivo

Three-dimensional bioprinting collagen/silk fibroin scaffold combined with neural stem cells promotes nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury

Many studies have shown that bio-scaffolds have important value for promoting axonal regeneration of injured spinal cord. Indeed, cell transplantation and bio-scaffold implantation are considered to be effective methods for neural regeneration. This study was designed to fabricate a type of three-dimensional collagen/silk fibroin scaffold (3D-CF) with cavities that simulate the anatomy of normal spinal cord. This scaffold allows cell growth in vitro and in vivo. To observe the effects of combined transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and 3D-CF on the repair of spinal cord injury. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham (only laminectomy was performed), spinal cord injury (transection injury of T10 spinal cord without any transplantation), 3D-CF (3D scaffold was transplanted into the local injured cavity), and 3D-CF + NSCs (3D scaffold co-cultured with NSCs was transplanted into the local injured cavity. Neuroelectrophysiology, imaging, hematoxylin-eosin staining, argentaffin staining, immunofluorescence staining, and western blot assay were performed. Apart from the sham group, neurological scores were significantly higher in the 3D-CF + NSCs group compared with other groups. Moreover, latency of the 3D-CF + NSCs group was significantly reduced, while the amplitude was significantly increased in motor evoked potential tests. The results of magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging showed that both spinal cord continuity and the filling of injury cavity were the best in the 3D-CF + NSCs group. Moreover, regenerative axons were abundant and glial scarring was reduced in the 3D-CF + NSCs group compared with other groups. These results confirm that implantation of 3D-CF combined with NSCs can promote the repair of injured spinal cord. This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of People's Armed Police Force Medical Center in 2017 (approval No. 2017-0007.2).

Lateral dispersion is required for circuit integration of newly generated dentate granule cells

The process of circuit integration of newly-generated dentate granule cells of the hippocampus has been presumed to be a dynamic process. In fact, little is known regarding the initial development of newly generated neurons prior to circuit integration and the significance of this stage for circuit integration. Here, using advanced live imaging methods, we systematically analyze the dynamic dispersion of newly generated neurons in the neurogenic zone and observe that cells that are physically adjacent coordinate their lateral dispersion. Whole-cell recordings of adjacent newly generated neurons reveal that they are coupled via gap junctions. The dispersion of newly generated cells in the neurogenic zone is restricted when this coupling is disrupted, which severely impairs their subsequent integration into the hippocampal circuit. The results of this study reveal that the dynamic dispersion of newly generated dentate granule cells in the neurogenic zone is a required developmental stage for circuit integration.