Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve neuropathic pain and enhance nerve regeneration in a neuropathic pain model

Abstract

Adipose derived mesnchymal stem cell(ADMSC) has been a promising source of cell therapy due to its capability of autologous transplantation, availabily of easy acquisition ,and potency to cross differentiation. While researchers has vigorously investigated on the efficacy of ADMSCs on nervous diseases, it is still not clear whether positive results are coming from its neural differentiation or anti-inflammatory effects. Currently, direct transplantation has been accepted as the standard method of stem cell delivery. However, a fragile lesion may be further damaged by a small volume of transplanting cell. Therefore, we evaluated the neuronal differentiation of ADMSCs and compared indirect transplantation with direct injection of h-ADMSCs in a rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury. In our result, h-ADMSCs significantly improved mechanical allodynia and neuronal regeneration compared with control group (p=8). Epineural injection was superior to intraneural injection in terms of less mechanical allodynia and better neuronal regeneration (p=8). It is assumed that secondary injury by needling and volume expansion was avoided by less-invasive epineural soaking. In conclusion, h-ADMSCs transplantation with epineural soaking may be a good alternative for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury and neuropathic pain.