[摘要] 目的 探討振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激對(duì)大鼠脊髓損傷(spinal cord injury,SCI)后內(nèi)源性神經(jīng)干細(xì)胞(endogenous neural stem cell,ENSC)增殖和運(yùn)動(dòng)功能恢復(fù)的影響。方法 采用改進(jìn)的Allen打擊法建立大鼠SCI模型,將其隨機(jī)分成實(shí)驗(yàn)組和對(duì)照組,每組60只。實(shí)驗(yàn)組采用振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激器植入進(jìn)行干預(yù),對(duì)照組不作任何干預(yù),僅放置振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激器。造模成功后,于第3、7、14天時(shí)分別取出大鼠脊髓,行抗神經(jīng)上皮干細(xì)胞蛋白(neuroepithelial stem cell protein,Nestin)/5–溴脫氧尿嘧啶核苷(5–bromodeoxyuridine,BrdU)免疫熒光檢測(cè)ENSC增殖情況,并采用免疫組織化學(xué)檢測(cè)脊髓中Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá);在第4、6、8周分別取脊髓行鋨酸染色觀察大鼠髓鞘形成情況,并在取材前對(duì)各組大鼠行Basso–Beattle– Bresnahan(BBB)運(yùn)動(dòng)功能評(píng)分。結(jié)果 免疫熒光染色結(jié)果顯示兩組大鼠SCI后第3天均可見(jiàn)損傷區(qū)Nestin/BrdU雙陽(yáng)性細(xì)胞表達(dá),第7天達(dá)到高峰,第14天開(kāi)始逐漸下降,但仍維持在較高水平;實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)的Nestin/BrdU雙陽(yáng)性細(xì)胞數(shù)量均多于對(duì)照組。免疫組織化學(xué)結(jié)果顯示實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)的Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá)水平均高于對(duì)照組(Plt;0.05)。第6、8周時(shí),實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠的髓鞘數(shù)量顯著多于對(duì)照組(Plt;0.05);第4、6、8周時(shí),實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠的BBB評(píng)分均顯著高于對(duì)照組(Plt;0.05)。結(jié)論 振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激可通過(guò)激活Wnt/β–catenin信號(hào)通路誘導(dǎo)SCI后ENSC增殖,促進(jìn)髓鞘再生,改善大鼠運(yùn)動(dòng)功能。
[關(guān)鍵詞] 振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激;脊髓損傷;內(nèi)源性神經(jīng)干細(xì)胞;Wnt-3a蛋白;髓鞘
[中圖分類號(hào)] R318" """"[文獻(xiàn)標(biāo)識(shí)碼] A """""[DOI] 10.3969/j.issn.1673-9701.2025.19.003
Effects of oscillating field stimulation on the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cell and recovery of motor function in rats after spinal cord injury
ZHANG Kunkun, SHAO Chen, QIAO Shaolin, QIU Dapeng, LIU Zhengjie
Department of Orthopaedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233000, Anhui, China
[Abstract] Objective To investigate the effec of oscillating field stimulation on the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cell (ENSC) and recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods The SCI model was established by using the improved Allen’s strike method and was randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 60 rats in each group. The experimental group received an oscillating field implant as the intervention, while the control group was equipped with the same device but without activation. After successful modeling, the spinal cord of rats was removed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day, respectively. The proliferation of ENSC was detected by neuroepithelial stem cell protein (Nestin)/ 5–bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunofluorescence, and the expression of Wnt-3a protein in spinal cord was detected by immunohistochemistry. At the 4th, 6th and 8th week, the spinal cord was stained with osmic acid to observe the formation of myelin sheath in rats, and Basso-Beattle-Bresnahan (BBB) functional score of each group of rats was performed before sampling. Results The immunofluorescence results showed that Nestin/BrdU double positive cells in the injured area could be seen in both groups on the 3rd day after SCI, reaching a peak on the 7th day, and gradually decreased on the 14th day, and still maintained at a high level. At the same time, number of Nestin/BrdU double positive cells in experimental group rats at each time point was more than that in control group. The immunohistochemical results showed that the expression level of Wnt-3a protein in experimental group rats at each time point was higher than that in control group (Plt;0.05). At the 6th and 8th weeks, the number of myelin sheaths in experimental group rats was significantly higher than that in control group (Plt;0.05). At the 4 th, 6th and 8th weeks, the BBB scores of rats in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The oscillating field stimulation can induce the proliferation of ENSC after SCI by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, promote myelin regeneration, and improve motor function of rats.
[Key words] Oscillating field stimulation; Spinal cord injury; Endogenous neural stem cell; Wnt-3a protein; Myelin
神經(jīng)干細(xì)胞(neural stem cell,NSC)廣泛存在于成年哺乳動(dòng)物的腦和脊髓中,正常情況下NSC處于相對(duì)靜止?fàn)顟B(tài),在損傷等特定情況下NSC可發(fā)生分裂、增殖、分化,參與損傷修復(fù)[1]。振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激(oscillating field stimulation,OFS)是指植入器通過(guò)發(fā)出弱電場(chǎng)促進(jìn)軸突向陰極生長(zhǎng),同時(shí)在陽(yáng)極排斥軸突生長(zhǎng)之前變換極性,從而促進(jìn)損傷區(qū)軸突雙向生長(zhǎng)[2]。研究發(fā)現(xiàn)OFS對(duì)脊髓損傷(spinal cord injury,SCI)大鼠具有明顯的神經(jīng)保護(hù)及誘導(dǎo)軸突再生作用[3-4]。Wnt信號(hào)通路是中樞神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)發(fā)育過(guò)程中的關(guān)鍵途徑,研究表明電場(chǎng)刺激能夠有效上調(diào)Wnt通路蛋白表達(dá)[5]。本研究通過(guò)觀察OFS對(duì)SCI大鼠損傷區(qū)內(nèi)源性神經(jīng)干細(xì)胞(endogenous neural stem cell,ENSC)增殖和運(yùn)動(dòng)功能的改善作用,對(duì)上述機(jī)制進(jìn)行初步探討。
1" 材料與方法
1.1" 實(shí)驗(yàn)動(dòng)物
SPF級(jí)健康SD雄性大鼠120只,體質(zhì)量180~200g,購(gòu)自蚌埠醫(yī)科大學(xué)實(shí)驗(yàn)動(dòng)物公共服務(wù)平臺(tái)。實(shí)驗(yàn)動(dòng)物生產(chǎn)許可證號(hào):SCXK(皖)2024-004,實(shí)驗(yàn)動(dòng)物使用許可證號(hào):SYXK(皖)2022-007。動(dòng)物實(shí)驗(yàn)經(jīng)蚌埠醫(yī)科大學(xué)實(shí)驗(yàn)動(dòng)物管理和倫理委員會(huì)批準(zhǔn)(倫理審批號(hào):倫動(dòng)科批字[2025]第465號(hào))。
1.2" 主要儀器與試劑
振蕩電場(chǎng)刺激器(中國(guó)科學(xué)院電工研究所);5–溴脫氧尿嘧啶核苷(5–bromodeoxyuridine,BrdU)購(gòu)自美國(guó)Sigma公司;小鼠抗神經(jīng)上皮干細(xì)胞蛋白(neuroepithelial stem cell protein,Nestin)單克隆抗體、兔抗Wnt–3a多克隆抗體購(gòu)自美國(guó)Abcam公司,大鼠抗BrdU單克隆抗體購(gòu)自美國(guó)Santa Cruz公司,Alex488熒光二抗、Alex594熒光二抗、一步法抗兔即用型免疫組織化學(xué)檢測(cè)試劑盒購(gòu)自中杉金橋公司;鋨酸購(gòu)自美國(guó)Sigma公司。
1.3" 動(dòng)物模型制備
所有大鼠均采用改進(jìn)后的Allen打擊法構(gòu)建SCI實(shí)驗(yàn)?zāi)P汀4笫蟾骨蛔⑸?%戊巴比妥鈉(1ml/100g)全身麻醉,固定于NYU撞擊裝置操作臺(tái)上。于背部中線切開(kāi),移除T10棘突及椎板,暴露脊髓,并對(duì)其施加5g/10cm的動(dòng)能撞擊。撞擊后觀察到脊髓區(qū)域局部出血、尾巴出現(xiàn)痙攣性擺動(dòng)及雙下肢抽搐,表明SCI模型建立成功。手術(shù)完成后,使用縫合線將OFS電極固定于T9和T11棘突兩側(cè),并將刺激器固定于大鼠背部。
1.4" 實(shí)驗(yàn)分組及干預(yù)
將120只大鼠隨機(jī)分為實(shí)驗(yàn)組和對(duì)照組,每組60只。實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠在手術(shù)完成后立即接受OFS治療,對(duì)照組大鼠僅安裝OFS器,不實(shí)施任何刺激。OFS的強(qiáng)度設(shè)定為400μV/mm,電場(chǎng)極性15min轉(zhuǎn)換一次,直至實(shí)驗(yàn)結(jié)束。
1.5" 觀察指標(biāo)及檢測(cè)方法
1.5.1 "脊髓標(biāo)本取材及切片制作 "大鼠在預(yù)定時(shí)間點(diǎn)之前12h腹腔注射BrdU 50mg/kg,每隔4h一次,共3次。末次注射后4h,2%戊巴比妥鈉腹腔注射麻醉大鼠,取出包含SCI位點(diǎn)及附近約1cm長(zhǎng)的脊髓組織,4%多聚甲醛固定12h。建模成功后第3、7、14d,分別取大鼠脊髓組織制作連續(xù)水平石蠟切片,厚度4μm,通過(guò)Nestin/BrdU免疫熒光技術(shù)檢測(cè)ENSC增殖情況;采用免疫組織化學(xué)檢測(cè)脊髓中Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá),在第4、6、8周分別取脊髓行鋨酸染色觀察髓鞘形成,并在取材前對(duì)各組大鼠行Basso–Beattle–Bresnahan(BBB)運(yùn)動(dòng)功能評(píng)分。
1.5.2 "組織學(xué)檢查 "取上述切片常規(guī)脫蠟和水化,抗原修復(fù),封閉,免疫熒光檢測(cè)加入一抗小鼠抗Nestin單克隆抗體(1∶1000)和一抗大鼠抗BrdU單克隆抗體(1∶50),4℃下避光孵育過(guò)夜,加入Alex488熒光二抗和Alex594熒光二抗(1∶100),37℃下孵育1h,在DAPI環(huán)境下細(xì)胞核染色10min,隨后添加適量抗光猝滅劑封固切片,熒光顯微鏡進(jìn)行圖像捕捉和細(xì)胞觀察。免疫組織化學(xué)檢測(cè)加入一抗兔抗Wnt–3a多克隆抗體(1∶1000)4℃孵育過(guò)夜,加入中山金橋免疫組織化學(xué)二抗37℃下孵育20min,DAB顯色,蘇木精再次染色,中性樹(shù)脂封片并攝影,采用Image ProPlus 6.0軟件測(cè)量圖像,計(jì)算累積光密度值。
1.5.3 "髓鞘鋨酸染色 "脊髓組織4%多聚甲醛固定12h,加入1%鋨酸避光固定過(guò)夜,流水沖洗12h,依次浸入50%乙醇、75%乙醇、85%乙醇、95%乙醇、無(wú)水乙醇Ⅰ、無(wú)水乙醇Ⅱ、二甲苯Ⅰ、二甲苯Ⅱ,然后石蠟包埋切片,常規(guī)烤片脫蠟,封片、拍照、髓鞘計(jì)數(shù)。
1.5.4" 后肢運(yùn)動(dòng)功能評(píng)分 "術(shù)后第2、4、6、8周時(shí)由熟悉BBB評(píng)分的兩名研究者獨(dú)立進(jìn)行評(píng)估,觀察大鼠后肢運(yùn)動(dòng)功能,最后取平均值。
1.6" 統(tǒng)計(jì)學(xué)方法
采用SPSS 20.0統(tǒng)計(jì)軟件分析數(shù)據(jù)。符合正態(tài)分布的計(jì)量資料以均數(shù)±標(biāo)準(zhǔn)差(")表示,組間比較采用t檢驗(yàn)。Plt;0.05為差異有統(tǒng)計(jì)學(xué)意義。
2" 結(jié)果
2.1" 兩組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)免疫熒光染色結(jié)果
兩組大鼠SCI后第3天均可見(jiàn)損傷區(qū)Nestin/BrdU雙陽(yáng)性細(xì)胞表達(dá),第7天表達(dá)數(shù)量達(dá)到高峰,第14天表達(dá)數(shù)量逐步減少,但依舊保持在較高水平。實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)的Nestin/BrdU雙陽(yáng)性細(xì)胞表達(dá)數(shù)量均多于對(duì)照組,見(jiàn)圖1。
2.2" 兩組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)Wnt-3a蛋白免疫組織化學(xué)染色結(jié)果
兩組大鼠第3天時(shí)脊髓灰質(zhì)內(nèi)的Wnt–3a蛋白均高表達(dá),第7天Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá)水平開(kāi)始降低,但仍保持較高水平,第14天時(shí)表達(dá)水平降至最低。實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)的Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá)水平均高于對(duì)照組(Plt;0.05),見(jiàn)圖2、表1。
2.3" 兩組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)髓鞘染色結(jié)果
光鏡下可見(jiàn)髓鞘鋨酸染色呈黑色類圓形,部分呈不規(guī)則形。第4周時(shí)兩組大鼠髓鞘數(shù)量比較差異無(wú)統(tǒng)計(jì)學(xué)意義(Pgt;0.05),第6、8周時(shí)實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠髓鞘數(shù)量多于對(duì)照組(Plt;0.05),見(jiàn)圖3、表2。
2.4" 兩組大鼠不同時(shí)間點(diǎn)的BBB評(píng)分比較
兩組大鼠的BBB評(píng)分隨時(shí)間推移均逐漸升高。術(shù)后第2周時(shí),兩組大鼠的BBB評(píng)分比較差異無(wú)統(tǒng)計(jì)學(xué)意義(Pgt;0.05),第4、6、8周時(shí),實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠的BBB評(píng)分均顯著高于對(duì)照組(Plt;0.05),見(jiàn)表3。
3" 討論
1992年,Reynolds等[6]首次從大鼠體內(nèi)分離并培養(yǎng)出一種能夠自我復(fù)制、具有多向分化潛能的細(xì)胞,并提出NSC的概念,打破成年哺乳動(dòng)物中樞神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)損傷后無(wú)法再生的傳統(tǒng)觀念。近年來(lái)研究證實(shí)SCI后ENSC被激活,但增殖數(shù)量有限,導(dǎo)致其修復(fù)SCI的能力有限[7]。外源性干細(xì)胞移植多分化為星形膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞,同時(shí)移植過(guò)程可能存在二次損傷、致瘤性、倫理等問(wèn)題[8]。因此,如何進(jìn)一步激活ENSC是治療SCI的關(guān)鍵。
研究表明直流電場(chǎng)作用下的陰極軸突生長(zhǎng)得到增強(qiáng),而持續(xù)面向陽(yáng)極的軸突顯示出退化現(xiàn)象[9]。為克服直流電對(duì)軸突再生的不利影響OFS技術(shù)應(yīng)運(yùn)而生。早在1993年和1999年,Borgens等[10-11]將振蕩電場(chǎng)應(yīng)用于動(dòng)物實(shí)驗(yàn),結(jié)果顯示OFS治療組狗脊髓中上下行軸突映射到橫切平面,運(yùn)動(dòng)功能恢復(fù)明顯優(yōu)于對(duì)照組,而在對(duì)照組中則發(fā)現(xiàn)軸突有一定萎縮。隨后Shapiro等[12]將OFS用于臨床證實(shí)其能促進(jìn)SCI患者的運(yùn)動(dòng)、感知能力修復(fù)。白金柱等[13]研究表明在SCI模型中,OFS可改善大鼠的運(yùn)動(dòng)能力,作用機(jī)制可能是通過(guò)促進(jìn)軸突再生、誘導(dǎo)其定向生長(zhǎng)而改善大鼠脊髓運(yùn)動(dòng)傳導(dǎo)功能。Fang等[14]研究發(fā)現(xiàn)OFS通過(guò)調(diào)控miR-124/Tal1軸促進(jìn)移植NSC神經(jīng)發(fā)生,修復(fù)大鼠SCI。但OFS在SCI后ENSC增殖和神經(jīng)功能修復(fù)中的作用尚不清楚。
為探索OFS對(duì)SCI后損傷區(qū)ENSC增殖影響,筆者采用BrdU和Nestin免疫熒光雙標(biāo)染色技術(shù)。BrdU是一種胸腺嘧啶類似物,在細(xì)胞周期的S階段嵌入至細(xì)胞核內(nèi)的DNA分子中,故BrdU陽(yáng)性的細(xì)胞表明其正處于增殖狀態(tài)[15]。Nestin是一種特定的中間絲狀蛋白,構(gòu)成細(xì)胞骨架的一部分,主要在神經(jīng)上皮的早期祖細(xì)胞及成年哺乳動(dòng)物的pluripotent干細(xì)胞中發(fā)現(xiàn)[16]。當(dāng)細(xì)胞開(kāi)始分化時(shí),Nestin表達(dá)隨之終止,因而成為NSC的一個(gè)典型標(biāo)志物。本研究結(jié)果表明,對(duì)照組大鼠SCI區(qū)可見(jiàn)BrdU和Nestin雙陽(yáng)性細(xì)胞,證實(shí)SCI后處于靜息狀態(tài)的ENSC被激活。應(yīng)用OFS治療后實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠各時(shí)間點(diǎn)的BrdU和Nestin雙陽(yáng)性細(xì)胞數(shù)均多于對(duì)照組,表明OFS可促進(jìn)SCI后損傷區(qū)ENSC增殖。筆者還發(fā)現(xiàn)OFS治療可激活Wnt信號(hào)通路,增強(qiáng)Wnt–3a在SCI部位的表達(dá)。Wnt信號(hào)通路是調(diào)控細(xì)胞生長(zhǎng)增殖分化的關(guān)鍵途徑,在中樞神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)發(fā)育過(guò)程中發(fā)揮重要調(diào)控作用[17]。Bang等[18]研究發(fā)現(xiàn)SCI后早期Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá)增加可促進(jìn)ENSC增殖,隨著Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá)下降,增殖的ENSC開(kāi)始進(jìn)入分化階段。本研究發(fā)現(xiàn)OFS治療后實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠Wnt–3a表達(dá)水平明顯高于對(duì)照組,且ENSC數(shù)量也多于對(duì)照組,推測(cè)OFS正是通過(guò)激活Wnt/β–catenin信號(hào)通路促進(jìn)SCI后ENSC增殖,改善SCI大鼠的預(yù)后。
髓鞘在神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)中的作用至關(guān)重要,可為軸突生長(zhǎng)提供營(yíng)養(yǎng),加快神經(jīng)沖動(dòng)傳導(dǎo)。研究表明電刺激可促進(jìn)少突膠質(zhì)前體細(xì)胞活化,從而誘導(dǎo)SCI大鼠髓鞘再形成[3,19]。Mojaverrostami等[20]將間充質(zhì)干細(xì)胞移植到SCI小鼠后并施加電刺激治療,發(fā)現(xiàn)電刺激可促進(jìn)間充質(zhì)干細(xì)胞歸巢、少突膠質(zhì)細(xì)胞增殖分化并減少細(xì)胞凋亡,提高髓鞘化程度。在OFS應(yīng)用4周后,實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠的髓鞘數(shù)量與對(duì)照組比較無(wú)顯著差異,但OFS應(yīng)用6周以上時(shí),實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠的髓鞘數(shù)量明顯多于對(duì)照組。同時(shí)實(shí)驗(yàn)組大鼠雙后肢BBB評(píng)分自O(shè)FS應(yīng)用后4周開(kāi)始明顯高于對(duì)照組,提示OFS可促進(jìn)SCI后髓鞘再生,改善受損脊髓傳導(dǎo)功能,促進(jìn)大鼠后肢運(yùn)動(dòng)功能恢復(fù),但運(yùn)動(dòng)功能的恢復(fù)需要OFS持續(xù)應(yīng)用4周以上。
綜上,OFS能夠激活Wnt信號(hào)通路,提高Wnt–3a蛋白表達(dá),從而促進(jìn)ENSC增殖。同時(shí)OFS可促進(jìn)SCI后髓鞘再生,改善受損脊髓的傳導(dǎo)功能。因此,筆者認(rèn)為OFS可通過(guò)多種生物學(xué)效應(yīng)促進(jìn)SCI大鼠運(yùn)動(dòng)功能恢復(fù)。
利益沖突:所有作者均聲明不存在利益沖突。
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