The Comparative Effects of Schwann Cells and Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the AIM2 Inflammasome Activity in Animal Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Inflammasome activation and the corresponding release of pro-inflammatory cytokines are responsible for sensory/motor deficits following spinal cord injury (SCI). Schwann cells (SCs) and Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) represent immunomodulatory activities. Here, we aimed at comparing the efficacy of the two cell sources on absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome complex in SCI rats. Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) test, Nissl and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were performed to assess locomotor function, neuronal survival and myelination, respectively. Gene and protein expressions of inflammasome components including AIM2, ASC, caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of the whole evaluated factors were declined in both gene and protein levels after SC or WJ-MSC treatment, which were more conspicuous for the SCs group (P < 0.05). Similarly, SCs increased the rates of neuronal survival and myelination. Furthermore, cell administration caused improvement in motor recovery in both treatment groups (P < 0.05). Although the outcomes were not significant, these effects were more notable in the SC-treated animals. From the findings it could be concluded that SC therapy is more efficient for targeting AIM2 inflammasome activation and related inflammatory circuit in SCI experiments than that for WJ-MSCs.