To enhance the current therapeutic benefit of @entity935 (DA) neuron grafts in @entity191 , strategies must be developed that increase both DA neuron survival and fiber outgrowth into the denervated striatum. Previous work in our laboratory has demonstrated that dopaminergic neurons grow to greater size when co-grafted with striatal cell suspensions and display extensive @entity669 hydroxylase-positive (TH+) projections, but no conclusion could be reached concerning enhancement of survival of grafted DA neurons. The aim of the present study was to characterize further the potential trophic effects of striatal co-grafts on grafted mesencephalic DA neuron survival. Unilaterally lesioned male Fischer 344 @entity35 were grafted with either a suspension of mesencephalic cells or with both mesencephalic and striatal cell suspensions. Co-grafts were either mixed together or placed separately into the striatum. Lesioned @entity35 receiving no graft served as controls. Rotational behavior was assessed following @entity4944 challenge at 2 weeks prior to grafting and at 4 and 8 weeks following grafting. Only @entity35 receiving co-grafts of nigral and striatal suspensions separated by a distance of 1 mm showed significant behavioral recovery from baseline rotational asymmetry. Both mixed and separate striatal co-grafts were associated with a doubling of DA neuron survival compared with solo mesencephalic grafts. In the mixed co-graft experiment, DA neurite branching appeared enhanced and TH-rich patches were observed, whereas with co-grafts that were separated, TH+ innervation of the intervening host striatum was increased significantly. These results provide the first evidence suggesting that nigral-striatal co-grafts, particularly those placed separately and in proximity to each other, increase both DA neuron survival and neurite extension from the mesencephalic component of the grafts.

Co-grafted embryonic striatum increases the survival of grafted embryonic XXXX neurons.

@entity935 :: ('MESH:D004298', 'Chemical') :: ['dopamine'] @entity191 :: ('MESH:D010300', 'Disease') :: ["Parkinson's disease"] @entity35 :: ('10116', 'Species') :: ['rats'] @entity4944 :: ('MESH:D000661', 'Chemical') :: ['amphetamine'] @entity669 :: ('CHEBI:18186', 'Chemical') :: ['tyrosine']
@entity935 :: (MESH:D004298,Chemical) :: ['dopamine']
