Pig neural cells derived from foetal mesencephalon as cell source for intracerebral xenotransplantation

Intracerebral cell transplantation offers the possibility of replacing lost neurons in case of neurodegenerative disorders. To date, the best functional recovery for Parkinson's patients has been obtained using neuroblasts derived from human foetal mesencephalon, but the ethical and practical problems relative to the use of human foetal tissue lead to consideration of alternative sources of cells. In this regard, porcine neuroblasts appear as a valuable source as these cells are available in large quantity and programmed to extend long neurites as human neurons. However, the potential use of pig neural cells in the clinical setting depends on efficient and safe immunosuppression. So, most experimental work in this domain aims at developing immunosuppressive treatments specifically adapted to the central nervous system. In such perspective, transplantation of porcine mesencephalic neuroblasts into the striatum of the adult rat brain is of great interest. Indeed, rejection of intracerebral xenografts has been quite well described in rats, and graft survival can be easily monitored in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. In the present chapter, we describe the methods for isolating neuroblasts from foetal porcine mesencephalon as well as the technique of intracerebral transplantation in adult immunocompetent rats.