Adult Stem Cells
Stem cells are progenitor cells that have the potential to become a variety of cells that theoretically can treat various disorders. Adult stem cells are found in many different tissues within the adult body. Although adult stem cells usually differentiate into the specialized cells associated with the originating tissue, when certain environmental cues are provided, they can mature into cells associated with other tissue. A particular type of adult stem cell in bone marrow has been shown to help with repair after spinal cord injury in animal research studies. For example, under appropriate circumstances, bone-marrow-derived stem cells have the potential to become muscle cells or to develop nerve cell characteristics.
Bone marrow contains two different types of stem cells. One of these forms the blood cells. The other produces connective tissues and blood vessels - it is called the Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC). The MSC stem cells possess a natural ability to repair damaged tissues and restore function through providing cells and special growth factors. These cells are normally play a part in healing after fractures, injuries to skin and muscle and helped to form the new blood vessels in the repair the tissues. Internationally, MSC’s are being intensively studied as a new treatment for myocardial infarction (damage to heart muscle caused by a heart attack), bone defects in children, acute kidney failure, replacement of bladder and bowel tissue, and have been studied in several neurological diseases including ALS (a Motor Neuron Disease) and Parkinson's disease. Some of this research has now reached the stage of human clinical trials These clinical trials have shown considerable promise and no adverse effects from the MSC's.
In animal research on spinal cord injury, MSCs transplanted into the injured adult spinal cord have promoted repair and increased the amount of functional recovery. The benefit appears to have been produced by production of growth factors that help nerve cells to regrow, and possibly the generation of new nerve/support cells. Human trials with MSC's have not yet been carried out in spinal cord injury but we aim to evaluate the effect of these cells using a multi-component research trial in the future.