Mice received weekly intravenous injections of MNC hUCB or media. Symptomatic mice received 10 6 or 2.5×10 6 cells from 13 weeks of age. A third, pre-symptomatic, group received 10 6 cells from 9 weeks of age. Control groups were media-injected G93A and mice carrying the normal hSOD1 gene. Motor function tests and various assays determined cell effects. Administered cell distribution, motor neuron counts, and glial cell densities were analyzed in mouse spinal cords. Results showed that mice receiving 10 6 cells pre-symptomatically or 2.5×10 6 cells symptomatically significantly delayed functional deterioration, increased lifespan and had higher motor neuron counts than media mice. Astrocytes and microglia were significantly reduced in all cell-treated groups.

A promising therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the use of cell-based therapies that can protect motor neurons and thereby retard disease progression. We recently showed that a single large dose (25×10 6 cells) of mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood (MNC hUCB) administered intravenously to pre-symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice is optimal in delaying disease progression and increasing lifespan. However, this single high cell dose is impractical for clinical use. The aim of the present pre-clinical translation study was therefore to evaluate the effects of multiple low dose systemic injections of MNC hUCB cell into G93A SOD1 mice at different disease stages.

Funding: This work was supported by the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, at the University of South Florida (USF). MCOR, received a fellowship from the São Paulo Research Foundation which supported her work at USF. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. No additional external funding received for this study.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of systemic multiple MNC hUCB cell administrations into pre-symptomatic and symptomatic G93A SOD1 mice modeling ALS. Importantly, this is the first time that a preclinical translational study has been designed to address efficacy of a proposed cell treatment at the symptomatic stage of the disease.

In recent years, reports have shown that hematopoietic umbilical cord blood cells are versatile instruments for the treatment of various disorders including neurodegenerative diseases [21] , [23] , [24] . The mononuclear cell fraction derived from human umbilical cord blood (MNC hUCB) has been effective in the treatment of experimental stroke [38] – [40] , traumatic brain injury [41] , spinal cord injury [42] and Alzheimer's disease [43] . It was also shown that intravenous (iv) administration of MNC hUCB into aged rats demonstrably improved the microenvironment of the aged brain [44] . Using the G93A SOD1 mouse model of ALS, we have previously demonstrated [45] that a single systemic iv administration of MNC hUCB cells, at the low dose of 10 6 cells, delayed disease progression by at least 2–3 weeks and modestly increased lifespan. More recently, we investigated the optimal MNC hUCB cell dosage, verifying that a larger dose of 25×10 6 cells administered intravenously into pre-symptomatic G93A mice delayed disease onset by 15% and significantly increased lifespan by 20–25% [46] . The effects were likely due to enduring inhibition of various inflammatory effectors, inhibition that promoted motor neuron survival. However, converting this large mouse dosage into a single human equivalent dose [47] would require approximately 20 units of cord blood, impractical in a clinical setting. A more feasible approach would be delivery of multiple smaller cell doses during disease progression, thus providing ongoing protection for motor neurons.

Human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) cells may be preferable to other potential cell sources [21] – [25] . The hUCB cells are low in pathogenicity and are immunologically immature. Hematopoietic progenitors from cord blood are rich in the most primitive stem cells [26] – [31] and are capable of developing into cells of various tissue lineages including neural cells [32] – [34] . Additionally, cord blood lymphocytes express cytokine receptor profiles (interleukins [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and interferon-γ) at lower levels than adult blood cells [35] and produce great amounts of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 [36] . Moreover, umbilical cord blood cells secrete trophic factors, which can directly support neuronal survival [37] .

Numerous reports demonstrate the functional multipotency of non-neural cells such as bone marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood cells [13] – [16] . Based on the recently proposed concept of biofunctional multipotency of stem cells to mediate systemic homeostasis, stem cell multipotency should be considered in planning for therapeutic applications [17] . In an ALS clinical trial, autologous ex vivo expanded mesenchymal cells from bone marrow were transplanted directly into the thoracic spinal cord of patients [18] , [19] . While beneficial effects were described only in a few patients, no overall changes in disease progression were noted. A second report [20] confirmed the lack of changes in neurological progression of sALS patients transplanted intravenously with allogenic peripheral blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, however, some transplanted cells were found in motor neuron sites of the spinal cord. Likely, the cell sources chosen, specifically bone marrow and peripheral blood, may not have been the optimal choices.

Cell therapy may be a promising treatment for ALS. Although motor neuron replacement is possible, this treatment strategy should take into account the multifocal motor neuron degeneration and death [6] . The roles of cell-based therapeutics might be more practical “as modifiers of the ALS-specific microenvironment” [7] or serving to “detoxify the local environment around dying motor neurons” [8] , therefore providing protection for motor neurons and retarding disease progression. Neuroinflammation, comprised mainly of astrocyte and microglial activation, is a central feature in ALS, and directly contributes to neuronal death [9] – [11] . Therefore, attempting to modulate inflammation, combined with other neuroprotective strategies in ALS, seems a more realistic approach than neuronal replacement [12] , thus eliminating the need for neural cell sources.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Symptoms include spasticity, fasciculations, muscle weakness and atrophy, combined with progressive paralysis ultimately leading to death, usually within three to five years of diagnosis. The sporadic form of ALS (sALS) predominates, with only 5–10% of cases identified as genetically linked; of those that have a familial etiology (fALS), 20% show missense mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene on chromosome 21 [1] . In sALS cases, the etiology of the disease is still undefined. However, the clinical presentation and underlying pathology of sALS and fALS are similar. Although numerous hypotheses about the etiopathology of this multifactorial disease have been proposed [2] – [4] including neurovascular pathology [5] , reliable treatment to halt disease progression and restore function remains elusive.

Astrocyte densities were measured in the cervical ( A ) and lumbar ( B ) ventral horns of G93A mice at 17 weeks of age and at end-stage of disease. Astrocytic densities were significantly (p<0.001) higher in Media-injected mice (Gr 4) at 17 weeks of age and at end-stage of disease vs. controls (Gr 5) of the same ages. Significant (p<0.001) decrease in the number of astrocytes was determined in cell-treated G93A mice compared to Media mice. No significant statistical differences were detected between the cell-treated groups. Higher number of reactive astrocytes was observed in Media-injected mice at 17 weeks of age and at end-stage disease compared to cell-treated animals. ***p<0.001. ( C ) Immunohistochemical staining of astrocytes in the lumbar spinal cord of G93A mice at 17 weeks of age. Anti-GFAP antibody staining showed low astrocyte density in controls ( a ) and astrocytosis in Media-treated animals ( b ). Considerably decreased actrocytic density was observed in mice from Gr 1 ( c ), Gr 2 ( d ), and Gr 3 ( e ). Astrocyte cell reactivity was also reduced in cell-treated mice vs. Media-injected mice (inserts in a–e). Scale bar: a–e is 200 µm; in a–e inserts is 25 µm.

Astrocyte cell density showed a similar pattern as the microglia in mice at 17 weeks of age. Media-injected animals (Gr 4) presented the highest densities, while the lowest values were noted in controls (Gr 5). Groups that received treatment with MNC hUCB cells presented a significant (p<0.001) decrease in astrocytic densities in the cervical ( Figure 7A ) and lumbar ( Figure 7B ) spinal cords compared to Media, with no significant difference between cell-treated groups. When the number of reactive astrocytes was assessed in each mouse group, higher proportions of these cells were observed in Media-injected mice at 17 weeks of age and end-stage disease compared to cell-treated animals. These cells were distinguished by their morphology, as exemplified in Figure 7C . The selective cell count once more demonstrated that Media-injected mice presented higher values of reactive astrocytes than the cell treated animals, indicating that the MNC hUCB cell treatment indeed effectively decreased astrocytic reactivity.

Microglial densities were measured in the cervical ( A ) and lumbar ( B ) ventral horns of G93A mice at 17 weeks of age and at end-stage of disease. Microglial densities were significantly (p<0.001) higher in Media-injected mice (Gr 4) compared to control mice (Gr 5) of the same ages. MNC hUCB cell administrations significantly (p<0.001) decreased the number of microglia in the spinal cord of G93A mice compared to Media mice. No significant differences were detected between the cell-treated groups. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001. ( C ) Immunohistochemical staining of microglia in the lumbar spinal cord at 17 weeks of age. Microglial cells stained for anti-Iba-1 antibody were sparse in controls ( a ) and microgliosis was noted in Media-treated animals ( b ). MNC hUCB cells decreased microglial density in mice from Gr 1 ( c ), Gr 2 ( d ), and Gr 3 ( e ). Morphological analysis of microglial cells determined numerous activated cells with large cell bodies and short processes in Media-injected mice, whereas ramified microglia were mostly observed in cell-treated animals, particularly in Gr 1 and Gr 3 mice and controls (inserts in a–e). Scale bar: a–e is 200 µm; in a–e inserts is 25 µm.

At 17 weeks of age, microglial cell counts were higher in the Media group (Gr 4) animals, while control (Gr 5) mice presented the lowest densities. MNC hUCB cell administrations significantly (p<0.001) decreased the number of microglia in the cervical ( Figure 6A ) and lumbar ( Figure 6B ) ventral horns of G93A mice, although no statistical difference was detected between the cell-treated groups. Morphological analysis of microglial cells demonstrated a high number of activated cells with large cell bodies and short processes in Media-injected mice, whereas ramified microglia were mostly observed in the cell-treated animals, specifically in Gr 1 and Gr 3 ( Figure 6C ).

Motor neuron counts were performed in the cervical ( A ) and lumbar ( B ) ventral horns of G93A mice at 17 weeks of age and at end-stage of disease. Mice receiving 2.5×10 6 cells symptomatically (Gr 1) or 1×10 6 cells pre-symptomatically (Gr 3) had significantly higher motor neuron densities than the Media group (Gr 4) at 17 weeks of age or at end-stage of disease. In both cervical and lumbar spinal cords, motor neuron densities between Gr 2 (1×10 6 cells, symptomatic) and Media-injected (Gr 4) mice showed no significant differences (p>0.05). *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001. ( C ) Immunohistochemical staining of motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord of G93A mice at 17 weeks of age. Motor neuron staining for anti-choline acetyltransferase (anti-ChAT) antibody showed healthy motor neurons in controls ( a ) although only a few neurons survived in the Media-treated animals ( b ). Cell-treated mice with ( c ) 2.5×10 6 cells symptomatically (Gr 1) and ( e ) 1×10 6 cells pre-symptomatically (Gr 3) demonstrated higher motor neuron survival than ( d ) mice receiving 1×10 6 cells symptomatically (Gr 2). Scale bar: a–e is 50 µm.

In both cervical and lumbar spinal cords, motor neuron counts were directly proportional to the survival and functional improvement observed in the mice. Figure 5 shows the results of motor neuron counts in the ventral horns of mice at 17 weeks of age and end-stage of disease. In the cervical spinal cord ( Figure 5A ), Gr 1 (2.5×10 6 cells, symptomatic) and Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic) mice presented significantly higher motor neuron densities compared to Media-injected (Gr 4) (G1 vs. G4, p<0.05; G3 vs. G4, p<0.001) and Gr 2 (1×10 6 cells, symptomatic) mice (G1 vs. G2, p<0.01; G3 vs. G2, p<0.001) groups. Motor neuron density in the cervical spinal cord of mice at 17 weeks of age was: Gr 1 – 3,498±223.80, Gr 2 – 1,654±92.43, Gr 3 – 5,111±230.91, Gr 4 - 1,989±129.20, and Gr 5 – 4,087±321.00 number of motor neurons/mm 3 . In the lumbar spinal cord, results were similar: Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic) and Gr 1 (2.5×10 6 cells, symptomatic) mice had significantly higher (p<0.001) motor neuron densities than the Media group (Gr 4) at 17 weeks of age or end-stage of disease ( Figure 5B ). Motor neuron density in the lumbar spinal cord of mice at 17 weeks of age was: Gr 1 – 3,304±140.50, Gr 2 – 1,772±86.92, Gr 3 – 4,497±208.80, Gr 4 - 1,589±77.22, and Gr 5 – 4,757±444.70 number of motor neurons/mm 3 . In both cervical and lumbar spinal cords, densities from Gr 2 (1×10 6 cells, symptomatic) and Media-injected (Gr 4) mice did not differ (p>0.05) from each other, and motor neuron densities in mice from Gr 3 and Gr 1 were also similar (p>0.05) to controls (Gr 5) of same age. Figure 5C demonstrates superior survival of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) positive motor neurons in the ventral horns of lumbar spinal cords in cell-treated animals compared to Media mice.

MNC hUCB cells immunohistochemically positive for HuNu (green, arrows) were detected in the lung, liver, kidney, and spleen of mice receiving 2.5×10 6 ( a, d, g, j ) or 1×10 6 ( b, e, h, k ) cells symptomatically or 1×10 6 cells pre-symptomatically ( c, f, i, l ). In the liver, lung and kidney, few cells were identified. In the spleen, a high density of HuNu cells was determined in all cell-treated mice ( j–l ). Scale bar: a–i is 50 µm; j–l is 200 µm.

Administered MNC hUCB cells were identified immunohistochemically by a human-specific marker (HuNu) in the spinal cord of cell-treated mice at 17 weeks of age, 4 weeks (symptomatic) or 8 weeks (pre-symptomatic) post-transplant. In the total area of cervical ( A ) and lumbar ( B ) cervical spinal cord, HuNu positive MNC hUCB cells were found irrespective (p>0.05) of injected cell doses or time beginning treatment. In all cell-treated mice, more than 50% of the observed cells were in ventral horn gray matter. ( C ) Immunohistochemical staining of MNC hUCB cells in the lumbar spinal cord. MNC hUCB cells positive for HuNu (green, arrow) were detected in the lumbar spinal cord of mice receiving 2.5×10 6 ( a ) or 1×10 6 ( b ) cells symptomatically or 1×10 6 cells pre-symptomatically ( c ). Cells were frequently observed inside the capillary lumen, but also in the spinal cord parenchyma. ( a′ ), ( b′ ), and ( c′ ) are merged images with DAPI. Scale bar: a–c′ is 50 µm.

Administered MNC hUCB cells were identified immunohistochemically by a human-specific marker (HuNu) in the spinal cord, brain, and various abdominal organs of cell-treated mice at 17 weeks of age, 4 weeks (symptomatic) or 8 weeks (pre-symptomatic) post-transplant. Cells were widely distributed within and outside the CNS. In the cervical ( Figure 3A ) and lumbar ( Figure 3B ) cervical spinal cord, HuNu positive MNC hUCB cells were found irrespective of injected cell doses or timing of initial treatment. However, in all cell-treated mice, more than 50% of the cells were observed within the ventral horn gray matter, areas in the spinal cord known to be affected by ALS. Cells were frequently observed inside the capillary lumen, but also in the spinal cord parenchyma ( Figure 3C ). Some cells established in the brain, mostly in the cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, and brainstem. In the liver, lungs and kidneys, a few cells were identified ( Figure 4 ), but in the spleen, a high density of MNC hUCB cells was detected. Qualitative evaluation of the spleens from cell-treated animals ( Figure 4, j–l ) showed higher concentrations of cells in mice from Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic) and Gr 1 (2.5×10 6 cells, symptomatic) than in Gr 2 (1×10 6 cells, symptomatic).

Analysis of disease onset in mice beginning cell treatment at the pre-symptomatic stage (Gr 3) was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method based on a threshold of 5% of body weight loss and 15% loss in functional tests (extension reflex, grip strength, and rotarod tests). Results demonstrated that these mice at 10–14 weeks of age significantly maintained their body weight (p = 0.0355, χ2 = 4.420) and hindlimb extension (p = 0.0142, χ2 = 6.008) compared to media-injected animals (Gr 4). Muscle strength (grip test) and rotarod performance did not significantly differ between Gr 3 and Gr 4 mice.

Although declines in performance on the rotarod test were observed in all mice starting at week 13, mice beginning cell treatment at the pre-symptomatic stage (Gr 3) demonstrated longer latency at this time. At 17 weeks of age, these mice (Gr 3) maintained 19.8% of initial rotarod latency, while mice from Gr 1 (2.5×10 6 cells, symptomatic), Gr 2 (1×10 6 cells, symptomatic), and Gr 4 (Media) presented 11.29%, 11.96% and 11.05%, respectively. The mean loss in rotarod latency, from a maximum value of 180 seconds to end-stage value was 99.7±0.08%, for all G93A mice. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, only mice from Gr 3 performed better on the rotarod test than other cell-treated mice and took longer to lose over 70% of maximum latency than the Media (Gr 4) group ( Figure 2D ).

In the grip strength test, G93A mice started to show decreased muscle strength at approximately 13 weeks of age, with strength progressively declining during the course of disease. The mean loss in grip strength, from maximum to end-stage, was 87.0±1.12% for all G93A mice. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that Gr 3 mice administered weekly with 1×10 6 cells beginning at the pre-symptomatic stage significantly (p = 0.0358, χ2 = 4.405) delayed loss in muscle strength vs. Media (Gr 4) animals ( Figure 2C ).

Cell treated mice, in Gr 1 (2.5×10 6 cells, symptomatic) and Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic), also displayed superior performance in other tests of functional ability. Deteriorating extension reflex was noted in G93A mice, beginning at 13 weeks of age, with extension progressively declining until the end-stage of disease. However, hindlimb extension of mice from Gr 1 and Gr 3 deteriorated more slowly than Media-injected mice (Gr 4) and mice receiving 1×10 6 cells at symptomatic stage (Gr 2). At 17 weeks of age, Gr 1 and Gr 3 mice presented, respectively, 41.5% and 51.04% of the initial hindlimb extension scores, while mice from Gr 2 and Gr 4 presented 31.0% and 26.47% of initial values. The mean loss in extension scores, from the initial score until time of sacrifice, was 89.21±2.07% for all G93A mice. Similarly to the body weight analysis, Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the number of weeks until extension reflex scores of mice from each group dropped more than 70% ( Figure 2B ). The Gr 1 (2.5×10 6 cells, symptomatic) and Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic) mice presented significantly delayed deterioration of hindlimb extension compared to Media (Gr 4) mice (Gr 1 vs. Gr 4, p = 0.0493, χ2 = 3.865; Gr 3 vs. Gr 4, p = 0.0069, χ2 = 7.301). A significant difference (p = 0.0269, χ2 = 4.895) was also detected between Gr 3 and Gr 2 mice receiving 1×10 6 cells at the pre-symptomatic or symptomatic stage of disease, respectively.

( A ) Time elapsed until animals lost 15% of their maximum body weight. Mice receiving 1×10 6 cells pre-symptomatically (Gr 3) significantly ( ) maintained body weight vs. Media (Gr 4) mice. A similar trend was observed in mice treated with 2.5×10 6 cells (Gr 1) beginning at symptomatic disease stage. ( B ) Time elapsed until hindlimb extension scores deteriorated by 70% of the initial score. The Gr 1 and Gr 3 mice significantly ( ) delayed decline of hindlimb extension compared to Gr 4 mice. A significant difference was also detected between Gr 3 and Gr 2 mice receiving 1×10 6 cells at pre-symptomatic or symptomatic stage of disease, respectively. ( C ) Time elapsed until muscle strength decreased by 70% from the maximum value. Mice from Gr 3 significantly ( ) delayed muscle strength losses vs. Gr 4. Gr 1 mice tended to maintain muscle strength post-transplant. ( D ) Time elapsed until rotarod latency decreased by 70% of the maximum value. Only mice from Gr 3 performed better on the rotarod than other cell-treated mice and tended towards significance ( ) taking more time to decrease latency by over 70% of the maximum value compared to Gr 4.

Body weight is not only a general indicator of mouse health, but is also a valuable marker for detecting progression of muscle atrophy, and was measured weekly. As expected, body weight started to slowly decline at the symptomatic age of approximately 13–14 weeks in all G93A mouse groups. By 16 weeks of age, more than 20% of Media mice had lost 15% of their initial body weight. Although the mean body weight loss from initial measurement to the day of sacrifice for all G93A mice was 17.19±0.80%, treated animals lost weight more slowly, as they survived longer than the Media group. A Kaplan-Meier plot ( Figure 2A ) was constructed based on the threshold of 15% of body weight loss, a point closely corresponding to the end-stage of disease. Mice receiving 1×10 6 cells at pre-symptomatic stage (Gr 3) maintained their body weight significantly longer (p = 0.0152, χ2 = 5.894) than Media-injected mice (Gr 4).

( A ) Kaplan-Meier survival curves for G93A mice receiving 2.5×10 6 (Gr 1) or 1×10 6 (Gr 2) cells at symptomatic disease stage and 1×10 6 (Gr 3) cells pre-symptomatically. Control group was Media-injected mice (Gr 4). Significant ( ) increases in survival were determined in mice receiving 1×10 6 cells at pre-symptomatic stage (p = 0.0015) and 2.5×10 6 cells at symptomatic stage (p = 0.0022) vs. the Media-injected group. Survival of the mouse group receiving 1×10 6 cells pre-symptomatically tended towards significance compared to survival of mice receiving same cell dose at symptomatic stage (p = 0.0595). ( B ) Percentages of surviving mice within age ranges. Media-injected animals survived no longer than 19.5 weeks, whereas 30% of mice receiving 2.5×10 6 (Gr 1, symptomatic) or 1×10 6 cells (Gr 3, pre-symptomatic) and 14.3% mice administered with 1×10 6 cells (Gr 2) at symptomatic stage survived more than 140 days and 10% of mice from Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic) were alive for more than 150 days.

The MNC hUCB cells were intravenously administered weekly into G93A mice beginning at either pre-symptomatic (9 weeks old) or symptomatic disease stage (13 weeks old). Symptomatic mice received one of two different cell doses. Significant increases in survival were determined in mice receiving 1×10 6 cells at pre-symptomatic stage (p = 0.0015, χ 2 = 10.07) and 2.5×10 6 cells at symptomatic stage (p = 0.0022, χ 2 = 9.393) vs. the Media injected group ( Figure 1A ). Average lifespan of MNC hUCB administered mice was: 2.5×10 6 (Gr 1, symptomatic) - 135.00±1.86 days, 1×10 6 (Gr 2, symptomatic) - 130.71±1.60 days, 1×10 6 (Gr 3, pre-symptomatic) - 135.60±2.47 days compared to Media-injected mice (125.58±1.40 days). Media-injected animals survived no longer than 19.5 weeks, whereas 30% of mice receiving 2.5×10 6 (Gr 1, symptomatic) or 1×10 6 (Gr 3, pre-symptomatic) and 14.3% mice administered with 1×10 6 cells (Gr 2) at symptomatic stage survived more than 140 days and 10% of mice from Gr 3 (1×10 6 cells, pre-symptomatic) were alive up to 160 days ( Figure 1B ).

Of the total 108 G93A SOD1 mice used in the study, seven mice (Group1 – one, Group 2 – two, Group 3 – three, Group 4 – one) were excluded due to death precipitated by conditions other than disease progression, more specifically, anesthetic complications during cell or media administrations. The number of injections per group was: Group 1 (Gr 1, 2.5×10 6 MNC hUCB, symptomatic) - 6.50±0.27 (range 4–8), Group 2 (Gr 2, 1×10 6 MNC hUCB, symptomatic) - 6.00±0.23 (range 4–8), Group 3 (Gr 3, 1×10 6 MNC hUCB, pre-symptomatic) - 11.65±0.36 (range 9–15), and Group 4 (Gr 4, Media-injected, symptomatic) - 5.47±0.23 (range 4–7). Although the range of injection numbers was similar between Gr 1 and Gr 2, the number of mice receiving 8 injections at symptomatic stage in Gr 1 was n = 5 and in Gr 2 was n = 2. The total number of injected cells was: Gr 1 - 16.25±0.67×10 6 , Gr 2 - 6.00±0.23×10 6 , and Gr 3 - 11.60±0.37×10 6 cells.

Discussion

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of multiple MNC hUCB cell injections into a G93A SOD1 mouse model of ALS at different disease stages. The major findings in our study demonstrated that multiple MNC hUCB cell administrations into systemic circulation of G93A mice effectively: (1) delay disease progression; (2) improve animal survival; (3) enhance motor neuron survival; (4) modulate gliosis, and (5) reduce activation of microglia and astrocytes. Cell dose and the timing of initial treatment have a clear influence upon disease progression. Since the expression of mutant SOD1 gene (ΔCT) was similar for all G93A mice and there were no appreciable expression differences between groups, the benefits of MNC hUCB cells are noticeable. Administrations of 1×106 cells initiated pre-symptomatically were most advantageous in both delaying disease onset and increasing lifespan whereas effective symptomatically-initiated cell infusions required higher cell doses (2.5×106) to delay disease progression and so extend lifespan. Here, we are the first to demonstrate, from a translational viewpoint, treatment benefits when initiated at the symptomatic stage of disease. Thus, these results might provide a superior basis for the development of clinical trials, since the overwhelming proportion of ALS patients beginning treatment are already symptomatic.

Hence, cell-based therapy for ALS seems a more realistic and practical approach to developing neuroprotective strategies, protecting motor neurons and retarding disease progression [6]. Hematopoietic stem cells might provide these benefits. Previously, we have shown the effectiveness of human umbilical cord blood administration in a mouse model of ALS [45], [46]. Similar results have been noted by other researchers [48], [49]. Moreover, we have also demonstrated that a high single dose of 25×106 MNC hUCB cells, injected intravenously into pre-symptomatic G93A mice, optimized survival and retarded disease progression [46]. However, to translate this experimental mouse therapy to the clinic would require impractically high cell doses.

The lessened effectiveness of MNC hUCB cells injected into symptomatic ALS mice had been expected, since motor neuron deterioration and neuroinflammation are already quite advanced when the initial symptoms manifest [50]–[53]. Since initiating treatment after symptoms appear is the most likely clinical scenario, high cell doses should be considered. However, smaller doses might be effective if intervention begins at the first appearance of disease symptoms. While ALS is a gradually progressive disease, treatment strategy by a series of cell infusions might be the best approach. The beneficial effect of multiple low-dose administrations of MNC hUCB cells has already been demonstrated in other models of neurodegenerative disorders: a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease [43] and a knockout mouse model of Sanfilippo syndrome type B [54]. Moreover, a recent report [55] indicated that serial intracerebroventrical injections of autologous cord blood-derived neural progenitors given to a child with global ischemic brain injury significantly improved neurological status.

In analyzing disease progression in G93A SOD1 mice, we consider rapid motor neuron degeneration to be a consequence of mutant SOD1 gene involvement. Therefore, we suggest that improved mouse survival after MNC hUCB infusions results from delayed disease progression. As expected, all groups of G93A animals suffered similar percentages of body weight and functional losses throughout their lives, due to the progressive nature of this disease. The differences between the groups continued to be the amount of time that elapsed to reach such endpoints. Body weight measurements closely followed the functional curves across time, since weight loss is a consequence of diminishing muscle mass and later muscle atrophy. By examining the functional status of each group through the Kaplan-Meier method, we were able to evaluate animal performance over time, without the bias of different survivals, a strategy already shown by Ohnishi et al. [56]. MNC hUCB cell infusions successfully improved most of the evaluated functions. Together, these data indicate that MNC hUCB cell treatment improves motor neuron survival, thus extending functional capabilities and mouse lifespan.

Although motor neuron death is a terminal event in ALS, directly associated with the clinical symptoms, disease pathogenesis involves multiple pathways in which neuroinflammation is a critical participant [9]–[11]. Reactive astrocytosis and activated microglia can be detected in cervical and lumbar spinal cord gray matter of G93A mice before disease onset [51], [52], progressively increasing until the end-stage of disease [50], [53]. The concept that non-neuronal cells contribute to the disease process, known as the “non-cell autonomous nature of motor neuron death”, is supported by several authors [57]–[59]. The role of activated microglia and reactive astrocytes as major inflammatory effectors contributing to motor neuron damage in ALS has been identified in various studies [9], [52], [60]–[65]. Astrocytes are directly involved in the establishment of motor neuron death, while activated microglia worsen local inflammation and disease progression [66], [67]. Therefore, inhibition of these inflammatory effectors in ALS could have a protective effect upon motor neurons.

In the present study, we determined significant reductions of astrocytosis and microglial density in the cell-treated G93A mice, indicating a modulatory effect of the MNC hUCB cells upon the inflammatory environment of the spinal cord. Previously, we demonstrated that a single injection of 25×106 MNC hUCB cells into pre-symptomatic mice significantly decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain and spinal cord and reduces microglia density in the cervical/lumbar spinal cord [46]. We therefore suggest that the effect of multiple MNC hUCB cell administrations in decreasing neuroinflammation of the spinal cord, is neuroprotective and promotes motor neuron survival. Interestingly, although motor neuron densities are clearly distinct among the treatment groups, with better outcomes in mice receiving 2.5×106 cells beginning at symptomatic stage (Gr 1) or 1×106 cells at pre-symptomatically (Gr 3), such differences were not found in glial cell densities. Concerning astrocytes, it is possible that density evaluations are not as efficient as motor neuron counts in detecting subtle differences between groups. Regarding the microglia, however, the possibility remains that the cell treatment is successful not only in decreasing density, but also in promoting a shift from an “M1”, inflammatory, towards an “M2”, more tolerant immunological profile [10]. Since both microglia subtypes present similar phenotypes, the anti-Iba-1 antibody applied in the immunohistochemical evaluation would be insufficient to distinguish one from the other. Further studies are therefore necessary to clarify this point.

In the context of reducing neuroinflammation by repeated MNC hUCB cell administrations, we observed high concentrations of grafted human cells in the spleen, suggesting that this secondary lymphoid organ is acting as a reservoir of the administrated cells [68], [69]. Previously, we showed that even after a single small (1×106 cells) intravenous injection of MNC hUCB into pre-symptomatic G93A mice, a majority of cells were identified in the white pulp of the spleen [45]. We hypothesize that in the spleen, the injected cells interact with the host cells and modulate the immunological response, lowering the inflammatory profile [70] and possibly protecting motor neurons in the remote spinal cord.

Numerous experimental studies have shown that the intravenous delivery of cells is effective in the treatment of ALS [45], [46], [48], [71], [72]. Moreover, it is considered a suitable route for translation into clinical application, due to its low invasiveness. In a previous study, we showed the migration of intravenously injected MNC hUCB cells and their differentiation into neural-like cells in the brain and spinal cord of G93A mice [45]. In the present study, we found that although the number of grafted human cells identified in the spinal cord was low and did not reflect the number of administered MNC hUCB cells, the treatment was effective. These results suggest that various factors secreted by the cells, rather than differentiation or cell-cell contact mechanisms, are the main therapeutic mediators. In fact, the same issue has already been approached in other neurological diseases such as stroke, in which functional improvement was disproportionally higher than the number of administered cells migrating to the site of injury [73]. Moreover, a recent report demonstrated that umbilical cord blood infusions improved neuromuscular transmission in G93A mice, indicating a direct effect of the treatment upon motor nerve function [71]. The authors consider that since the improvement was detected shortly after umbilical cord blood cell administration, cell replacement was a less probable mechanism of repair. In agreement with this idea, we consider that although cell replacement is possible and should not be overlooked, the results of the present study strongly support the actions of neuroprotection, which may include immunomodulation and secretion of trophic factors by the intravenously transplanted cells. Possibly, there is also some degree of motor neuron repair, which may be due more to endogenous pathways than administered cell differentiation.

In conclusion, we demonstrated that multiple injections of MNC hUCB cells are effective in improving motor neuron survival, likely due to decreasing macro- and microgliosis, and, in consequence, delaying disease progression and increasing lifespan of a mouse model of ALS. Beginning the cell injections pre-symptomatically provided the best outcome. Most important for translational purposes was proving the effectiveness of high cell doses initiated at the symptomatic disease stage. The present study results might provide essential information and strong impetus for future clinical trials.