Preprint
Analysis of astrocyte progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro and following transplantation into the intact spinal cord
bioRxiv
28 Jun 2025
Abstract
Functional improvement following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) remains limited, therefore, it is necessary to develop therapeutic interventions such as cell transplantation to replace lost cells and promote connectivity. While transplantation typically focuses on neurons, it is important to include other neural cells, such as immature astrocytes, to provide a permissive environment, promote neuroprotection and regeneration, and ultimately restore connectivity. In this study, we leveraged cellular engineering using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to generate astrocyte progenitor cells (hAPCs). We tested two hiPSC lines (WTC11 and KOLF2.1J) to characterize the fate of the hAPCs
in vitro
and following transplantation at the cervical level of the intact spinal cord for up to 3 weeks. Our results demonstrated efficient and consistent differentiation of the hiPSCs into hAPCs, their survival and integration with the adult spinal cord, with no signs of tumors, deleterious outcomes, and unexpected locations. The ability to survive and the absence of adverse effects indicate that hAPC transplantation could be a safe element of therapy in treating spinal cord injuries.
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Details
- Title
- Analysis of astrocyte progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro and following transplantation into the intact spinal cord
- Creators
- Alessia Niceforo - Drexel UniversityYing Jin - Drexel UniversitySkandha Ramakrishnan - Drexel UniversityMaurice Lindner-Jackson - Drexel UniversityLiang O. Qiang - Drexel UniversityItzhak Fischer - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- bioRxiv
- Publisher
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Neurobiology and Anatomy; College of Medicine
- Other Identifier
- 991022064937204721