The comparative effects of Schwann cells and Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells on the AIM2 inflammasome activity in an experimental model of spinal cord injury

The comparison of two common cell types, Schwann cells (SCs) and Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), on the AIM2 inflammasome activity in spinal cord injury (SCI) rats. SC treatment has more positive outcomes in protection and suppression of nervous and immune system, respectively than that for WJ-MSCs. [Display omitted] •Schwann cell therapy demonstrates greater efficacy in targeting absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome components.•Schwann cell therapy has a more pronounced effect in reducing the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.•Schwann cells promote neuronal survival and myelination in an experimental model of spinal cord injury. Inflammasome activation and the consequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines play a crucial role in the development of sensory/motor deficits following spinal cord injury (SCI). Immunomodulatory activities are exhibited by Schwann cells (SCs) and Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs). In this study, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two cell sources in modulating the absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome complex in rats with SCI. The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) test, Nissl staining, and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were performed to evaluate locomotor function, neuronal survival, and myelination, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to analyze the gene and protein expressions of inflammasome components, including AIM2, ASC, caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18. Both gene and protein expressions of all evaluated factors were decreased after SC or WJ-MSC treatment, with a more pronounced effect observed in the SCs group (P < 0.05). Additionally, SCs promoted neuronal survival and myelination. Moreover, the administration of 3 × 105 cells resulted in motor recovery improvement in both treatment groups (P < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, these effects were more prominent in the SC-treated animals. In conclusion, SC therapy demonstrated greater efficacy in targeting AIM2 inflammasome activation and the associated inflammatory pathway in SCI experiments compared to WJ-MSCs.