Effect of liposome-mediated GDNF gene transfer in vivo on recovery of motor function following spinal cord injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effect of liposome mediated glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene transfer in vivo on the recovery of locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. Methods The SCI model of acute posterior compression of spinal cord was established according to the method of Nystrm and then the DC Chol liposomes and recombinant plasmid pEGFP GDNF cDNA complexes were injected into the injured site. The surface area of the remnant injured spinal cord tissue was detected by HE staining. The locomotor function of hindlimbs of rats was evaluated by inclined plane test and BBB locomotor scale. Results The locomotor function scales of rats in GDNF group were higher than these in GFP group within 1 to 4 weeks after SCI ( P 0.05). Four weeks after SCI, the surface area of the remnant injured spinal cord tissue in GDNF group was larger than that in SAL group ( P 0.01). Conclusion The results indicate that GDNF cDNA mediated by liposomes can enhance the restoration of hindlimb locomotor function and decrease the necrosis and atrophy of the injured spinal cord.