Motoneuron transplantation rescues the phenotype of SMARD1 (spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1).

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1) is a fatal form of infantile motoneuron disease. There is currently no effective treatment, although motor neuron replacement is a possible therapeutic strategy. We transplanted purified motor neurons into the spinal cord of nmd mice, an animal model of SMARD1. We also administered pharmacological treatment targeting the induction of axonal growth toward skeletal muscle target. At the end stage of the disease, donor-derived motor neurons were detected in the nmd anterior horns, extended axons into the ventral roots, and formed new neuromuscular junctions. These data correlated with improved neuromuscular function and increased life spans. The neuroprotective effect was associated with a reduction in proinflammatory molecules in treated spinal cords. This is the first report that functional restoration of motor units with transplanted motoneurons is feasible in an animal model of a human motoneuron disease, opening up new possibilities for therapeutic intervention.

• Authors: Stefania Corti, Monica Nizzardo, Martina Nardini, Chiara Donadoni, Sabrina Salani, Roberto Del Bo, Dimitra Papadimitriou, Federica Locatelli, Nicoletta Mezzina, Francesca Gianni, Nereo Bresolin, Giacomo P Comi
• Journal: The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (J Neurosci) Vol. 29 Issue 38 Pg. 11761-71 (Sep 23 2009) ISSN: 1529-2401 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19776263 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Neuroprotective Agents

Topics

• Animals
• Axons (drug effects, physiology)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Longevity (drug effects, physiology)
• Mice
• Mice, Transgenic
• Motor Neurons (drug effects, physiology, transplantation)
• Neurogenesis
• Neuromuscular Junction (drug effects, physiology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Phenotype
• Spinal Cord (drug effects, physiology, surgery)
• Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood (drug therapy, surgery)
• Stem Cells (physiology)