Injecting Self-Assembling Peptides and Neural Precursor Cells for Spinal Cord Repair in a Rat Model

Abstract

Source: Zweckberger, K., et al. Synergetic Use of Neural Precursor Cells and Self-assembling Peptides in Experimental Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. J. Vis. Exp. (2015).

This protocol demonstrates a targeted injection approach for spinal cord injury repair in a rat model. It involves delivering self-assembling peptides (SAPs) into the lesion core to create a supportive scaffold, followed by neural precursor cell (NPC) injections around the lesion to remodel the tissue.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Cervical Aneurysm Clip Contusion/Compression Model

1. Before surgery, autoclave instruments and keep them sterile during the entire surgical procedure by putting them in a 70% alcohol bath.
2. Anaesthetize Wistar rats (250-270 g) with a combination of oxygen (O₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O) (1:1), and 1.8-2.2% Isoflurane and support spontaneous breathing via a gas anesthesia mask. For induction of anesthesia, start with 5% Isoflurane for 1 minute and reduce afterward. Before starting surgery,....

Results

Figure 1: Clip contusion/compression aneurysm model. (A) Photograph through the surgical .......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Aneurysmal clip	SharpTech
Surgical microscope	Leica
Micro injection system	World Precision Instruments, Inc.
Small animal stereotaxic instrument	David Kopf Instruments
Hamilton syringe	Hamilton company
Surgical instrument	Fine Science tools
Isoflurane USP	Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada Inc.
0.9% Sodium Chloride injection USP	Baxter
7.5% Povidone iodine	Purdue Pharma
70% Isopropyl alcohol USP	GreenField Ethanol Inc.
QL6 SAP	Covidien