Implantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell sheets promotes axonal regeneration and restores bladder function after spinal cord injury.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Cell-based therapy using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) is a promising treatment strategy for neurogenic bladder (NB) associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, therapeutic efficacy is low because of inefficient cell delivery. Cell sheets improve the efficacy of cell transplantation. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transplanting ADSC sheets into an SCI rat model and focused on the function and pathological changes of the bladder. Methods ADSC sheets were prepared from adipose tissue of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using temperature-responsive cell culture dishes. Adult female SD rats were subjected to SCI by transection at the T10 level and administered ADSC sheets or gelatin sponge (the control group). Four and 8 weeks later, in vivo cystometrograms were obtained for voiding function assessment. Rats were sacrificed and the expression of various markers was analyzed in spinal and bladder tissues. Results The number of β-tubulin III-positive axons in the ADSC sheet transplantation group was higher than that in the control group. Conversely, expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the ADSC sheet transplantation group was lower than that in the control group. Cystometry showed impairment of the voiding function after SCI, which was improved after ADSC sheet transplantation with increased high-f

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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