Transplanted neural progenitor cells expressing mutant NT3 promote myelination and partial hindlimb recovery in the chronic phase after spinal cord injury

Neutrotrophin-3 (NT3) plays a protective role in injured central nervous system tissues through interaction with trk receptors. To enhance the regeneration of damaged tissue, a combination therapy with cell transplantation and neurotrophins has been under development. We examined whether the transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) secreting NT3/D15A, a multi-neurotrophin with the capacity to bind both trkB and trkC, would enhance the repair of damaged tissues and the functional recovery in a chronic phase of spinal cord injury. The cultured NPCs with lentiviral vector containing either GFP or NT3/D15A were transplanted into the contused spinal cord at 6 weeks after the initial thoracic injury. Eight weeks after the transplantation, the NT3/D15A transplants displayed better survival than the GFP transplants, and they exhibited enhanced myelin formation and partial improvement of hindlimb function. Our study revealed that NT3/D15A produced positive effects in injured spinal cords even in the chronic phase. These effects suggest an enhanced neurotrophin-trk signaling by NT3/D15A.