Regenerative potential of primary adult human neural stem cells on micropatterned bio-implants boosts motor recovery

Background The adult brain is unable to regenerate itself sufficiently after large injuries. Therefore, hopes rely on therapies using neural stem cell or biomaterial transplantation to sustain brain reconstruction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the improvement in sensorimotor recovery brought about by human primary adult neural stem cells (hNSCs) in combination with bio-implants. Methods hNSCs were pre-seeded on implants micropatterned for neurite guidance and inserted intracerebrally 2 weeks after a primary motor cortex lesion in rats. Long-term behaviour was significantly improved after hNSC implants versus cell engraftment in the grip strength test. MRI and immunohistological studies were conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of neuro-implant integration. Results hNSC implants promoted tissue reconstruction and limited hemispheric atrophy and glial scar expansion. After 3 months, grafted hNSCs were detected on implants and expressed mature neuronal markers (NeuN, MAP2, SMI312). They also migrated over a short distance to the reconstructed tissues and to the peri-lesional tissues, where 26% integrated as mature neurons. Newly formed host neural progenitors (nestin, DCX) colonized the implants, notably in the presence of hNSCs, and participated in tissue reconstruction. The microstructured bio-implants sustained the guided maturation of both grafted hNSCs and endogenous progenitors. Conclusions These immunohistological results are coherent with and could explain the late improvement observed in sensorimotor recovery. These findings provide novel insights into the regenerative potential of primary adult hNSCs combined with microstructured implants.