G-CSF enhances the therapeutic potency of stem cells transplantation in spinal cord-injured rats.

The therapeutic effects of human wisdom teeth-derived neuronal stem cell (tNSC) cotreatment with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were evaluated for contusion-induced spinal cord injury in rats.  7 days after contusion, tNSCs were transplanted to the injury site and followed by G-CSF cotreatment for 5 days. Behavioral deficits were evaluated by the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan test. The injury site was collected for immunohistochemistry analysis. The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan test significantly improved in the cotreated group compared with the tNSCs or G-CSF single treatment groups. However, inflammation indices did not differ among the three groups. experiment demonstrated that tNSCs express both G-CSF and its relevant receptor. G-CSF enhanced tNSC proliferation and neurotrophins secretion . This study demonstrated that G-CSF enhances neurotrophins secretion of tNSCs, and might help improving functional recovery from spinal cord injury in rats if they were given together.