Olfactory Ensheathing Cells Do Not Exhibit Unique Migratory or Axonal Growth-Promoting Properties after Spinal Cord Injury

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3264-06.2006
• Publication Date: 2006-10-25T18:22:01Z
• Authors: Paul Lu; Hong Yang; Maya Culbertson; Lori Graham; A. Jane Roskams; Mark H. Tuszynski
• Keywords: Corticospinal tract; Olfactory ensheathing glia; Glial scar; Pyramidal tracts; Anterograde tracing

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have been reported to migrate long distances and bridge lesion sites, guiding axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). To understand mechanisms of OEC migration guidance, we injected lamina propria OECs 1 mm rostral caudal C4 SCI sites. One month later, formed an apparent migrating cell tract continuously extending from the injection site through lesion, physically bridging lesion. Confocal immunolabeling demonstrated that, whereas this displaced host astrocytes, descending or ascending axons did not preferentially extend into failed support corticospinal axons. Notably, “bridging” within h injection, raising possibility that passively spread pressure rather than actively migrating. Control injections bone marrow stromal (MSCs) fibroblasts also rapidly dispersed cavity. Cell tracts were seen when either at low volumes, gray matter, 3 d before 9 SCI. proliferated in tracts, indicating can accumulate proliferation. Thus, do appear exhibit significant migratory properties grafted cord, no detectable difference promoting axon growth a compared with MSCs fibroblasts, beyond dorsal column