Dental pulp stem cell transplantation ameliorates motor function and prevents cerebellar atrophy in rat model of cerebellar ataxia

Cerebellar ataxias (CA) include a range of neurodegenerative disorders hallmarked by deterioration of the cerebellum. Cell replacement therapy (CRT) offers a potential remedy for the diseases associated with the central nervous system (CNS). This study was designed to assess the neurorestorative/protective effects of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) implantation on a rat model of CA induced by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) as a neurotoxin. To begin, human DPSCs were extracted, cultured and phenotypically characterized. Then, experimental ataxia was induced in 20 male adult rats by a single injection of 3-AP and bilateral DPSC transplantation was performed 3 days after 3-AP administration, followed by stereological analysis of cerebellar layers along with assessment of motor skills and inflammatory response. The findings showed that transplantation of DPSCs in a 3-AP model of ataxia ameliorated motor coordination and muscle activity, increased cerebellar volumes of molecular and granular layers plus white matter, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines and thwarted the degeneration of Purkinje cells against 3-AP toxicity. Taken together, human DPSCs could be considered as a suitable candidate for CRT-based therapies with a specific focus on CA.