[Synapses developing process of neuroblasts after acute spinal cord transplantation in rats]

To explore the potential possibility of synaptic connection and 3D adhesion between fetal spinal cord cell suspension (FSCS) and host, and to observe the synapses developing process of FSCS transplantation.

Spinal cord injury model produced in 42 Wistar rats on T7 by use of modified Allen's impact method (10 g x 5 cm); 3 days after injury, 20 microliters FSCS with a density of 1 x 10(5)/microliter prepared from E14 rat were injected into the epicenter of the traumatized cavity. Animals were sacrificed after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of transplantation, the graft survival, its differentiation and integration with the host were observed by light and electronmicroscopic study as well as immunohistochemical assay (NF, GFAP, CGRP, 5-HT).

In the transplantation area, the neuroblasts stretched out the terminal endings 4 weeks after implantation, followed by the presenting of the pre- and postsynaptic membrane. After 8 weeks, the dense or developed projections were observed in the pre- and postsynaptic membrane; the synaptic cleft filled with the high electron dense substance. All the spherical clear vesicles, granular vesicles, elliptical vesicles and flattened-f type vesicles were seen under the electronmicroscope. After 10 weeks, the axosomatic, dendrosomatic, dendro-dendritic, axo-axonic, dendro-axonic synapses coexisted. Light microscopy showed that the graft cell grew gradually. Immunohistochemical assay showed that NF, 5-HT, CGRP and GFAP positive fibers were in the graft. Synapses, gliafibers and blood brain barrier integrated each other.

(1) The transplanted FSCS can develop mature synapses with miscellaneous synaptic vesicles in the acute injured spinal cord, host injury cavity wall may induce the FSCS into 3D adhesion. (2) Co-existence of different type of synapse and the immunohistochemistry findings indicate the possibility of synaptic connection between FSCS and host.