Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells Overexpressing Cardiotrophin-1 Inhibits Sprouting of Hippocampal Mossy Fiber in a Rat Model of Status Epilepticus

In this study, we studied the effects of hippocampal transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) overexpressing cardiotrophin 1 (CT1) on hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) in a rat model of status epilepticus (SE). SE rats (lithium–pilocarpine model) were randomized into four study groups (18 rats per group): CT1-NSCs group, NSCs group, SE control group, and normal control group. Six rats were randomly chosen from each group at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after transplantation. MFS in hippocampal dentate gyrus was scored (Timm staining) at these time points. The MFS scores were as follows: CT1-NSCs 0.77 ± 0.04, 2.48 ± 0.89, and 2.39 ± 0.82 (1, 4, and 8 weeks after transplantation, respectively); NSCs 1.12 ± 0.62, 3.17 ± 0.64, and 3.88 ± 0.51; SE control 1.32 ± 0.35, 3.28 ± 0.75, and 4.32 ± 1.55; and normal control 0.37 ± 0.06, 0.34 ± 0.07, and 0.43 ± 0.04. Compared to SE control group and NSCs group, the scores of MFS in CT1-NSCs group were significantly lower (P < 0.05). In conclusion, transplantation with NSCs overexpressing CT1 inhibits hippocampal MFS and facilitates reduction of recurrent seizures.