In this image, the top row shows the stem cells transplanted into the mouse spinal cord. The lower row shows a close-up of the stem cells (brown). By day 7 post-transplant, the stem cells are no longer detectable. Within this short period of time, the stem cells have sent chemical signals to the mouses own cells, enabling them to repair the nerve damage caused by MS. (image: Lu Chen)
For patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), current treatment options only address early-stage symptoms of the debilitating disease. Now, new research has found a potential treatment that could both stop disease progression and repair existing damage.
In a study published in Stem Cell Reports, researchers utilized a group of paralyzed mice genetically engineered to have an MS-like condition. Initially, the researchers set out to study the mechanisms of stem cell rejection in the mice. However, two weeks after injecting the mice with human neural stem cells, the researchers made the unexpected discovery that the mice had regained their ability to walk.
This had a lot of luck to do with it; right place, right time co-senior author Jeanne Loring, director of the Center for Regenerative Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, told FoxNews.com. [co-senior author Tom Lane] called me up and said, Youre not going to believe this. He sent me a video, and it showed the mice running around the cages. I said, Are you sure these are the same mice?
Loring, whose lab specializes in turning human stem cells into neural precursor cells, or pluripotent cells, collaborated with Tom Lane, a professor of pathology at the University of Utah whose focus is on neuroinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. The team was interested in stem cell rejection in MS models in order to understand the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to rejection of potential stem cell therapies for the disease.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. For people with MS, the immune system misguidedly attacks the bodys myelin, the insulating coating on nerve fibers.
In a nutshell, its the rubber sheath that protects the electrical wire; the axon that extends from the nerves cell body is insulated by myelin, Lane, who began the study while at the University of California, Irvine, told FoxNews.com
Once the myelin has been lost, nerve fibers are unable to transmit electric signals efficiently, leading to symptoms such as vision and motor skill problems, fatigue, slurred speech, memory difficulties and depression.
The researchers inadvertent treatment appeared to work in two ways. First, there was a decrease of inflammation within the central nervous system of the mice, preventing the disease from progressing. Secondly, the injected cells released proteins that signaled cells to regenerate myelin and repair existing damage.
While the stem cells were rejected in the mice after 10 days, researchers were able to see improvements for up to six months after initial implantation.
Read the original post:
Stem cell therapy shows promise for multiple sclerosis
- Exercise Helps Heart Disease Patients Live Longer - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- If You Have A Heart Attack, Dial 911, Don't Drive To The ER - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dried Plums, Tart Cherries, Grapes- What do they have in common? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Vitamin D for Me! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Bangkok Hospital Named Best Global Hospital - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- 10 Years of Stem Cell Science? Where's the Beef? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Women Underestimate Heart Disease Risks - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- A Stem Cell First- New Organ Created and Transplanted Using Adult Stem Cells - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cells Injected Directly Into the Heart- Sounds Familiar - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Heart Disease and Depression Are Linked - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- TheraVitae Wishes Everyone A Happy Thanksgiving - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- VesCell Adult Stem Cells Helping Pulmonary Hypertension - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- VesCell Adult Stem Cells Help Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patient - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Another Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patient Helped by VesCell Adult Stem Cells - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Clinical Data of VesCell Used On Heart Disease Patients - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Results of Patients Treated with Adult Stem Cells for Heart Disease - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Results of Doctor Using VesCell for Heart Disease Published in Medical Journal - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cells from VesCell Help Another Patient With Congestive Heart Failure - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- VesCell Uses Adult Stem Cells Not Fetal Stem Cells - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy Continues Improving After Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- American Doctors Form Group to Oppose FDA's Stance On Adult Stem Cells - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Adult Stem Cell Pioneer Passes Away - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy Patient Celebrates His 1 Year Stem Cell Treatment Anniversary - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Vescell Featured In Forbes Magazine! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Adult Stem Cells Repair Damaged Heart Muscle - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- No Scooter Needed for Schlueter- Heart Disease Patient Back in Gym After Stem Cell Treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem cells provide second chance - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Adult Stem Cell Therapy Scientific Advisory Board - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Partner hospitals give Heart Disease treatment with Adult Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cell Treating Physicians for Heart Disease - Vescell by Theravitae - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Heart Disease Treatment FAQs - Adult Stem Cells Treats Heart Disease - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Checklist of 12 Must-Ask Questions for Overseas Treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Health teaching for patients with heart disease | VesCell adult stem cell therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Ethical Debates Adult Stem Cell Research | VesCell adult stem cells treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Heart disease and health policy and nurse | VesCell adult stem cells treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- After Stent Symptoms | VesCell Adult Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- What is adult stem cell research | VesCell Adult Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Alternative Medicine for Coronary Artery Disease | VesCell Adult Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Diabetic, Seven Heart Attack Patient Experiences on Adult Stem Cell Treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Congestive Heart Failure and Life Expectancy | VesCell Adult Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Chest Pain After Angioplasty with Stent | VesCell adult stem cells treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Use of Stem Cells for Heart Repair | VesCell Adult Stem Cell Therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Women health heart attack - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Health Facts on the Heart | VesCell Adult Stem Cells Treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- The Process of Stem Cells | VesCell Adult Stem Cells Treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Rest Pain Leg | VesCell adult stem cells for peripheral artery disease - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Health Supplements Heart Diabetes | VesCell Adult Stem Cells Treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Heart Failure Epidemic | VesCell adult stem cells treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Heart Muscle Health Aspects | VesCell adult stem cell therapy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- adult stem cells | VesCell adult stem cells treatment - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Updated article about adult stem cells therapy, VesCell, as featured in Forbes Magazine - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Forbes: Vescell Stem Cell Therapy Saves Heart Failure Patient - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Foetal Stem Cells Offer Hope for Stroke Victims - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem cells could spell end for diabetes jabs - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Full text answers about stem cell research - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cell Transplant from Umbilical Cord Blood Is The Only Hope for SCID Sufferer - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- New Studies About Umbilical Cord Blood And Children With Diabetes - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Engineered Blood Vessels Function Like Native Tissu - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Provide Hope for Life Threatening Diseases - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs SB962 to Create a System to Collect and Store Umbilical Cord Blood - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Baby Boy Treated for Cerebral Palsey with His Own Cord Blood Stem Cells - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cord Blood May Preserve Insulin Production in Newly Diagnosed Children With Type 1 Diabetes - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- A "Holy Grail" Of Healing, CBS Evening News - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- After Receiving Unusual Stem Cell Transplant, Coppell Toddler Comes Home from Hospital - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cell Hope for Bone Fractures - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cord Blood Stem Cells And Cardiovascular Disease - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Creating a Cord-Blood Lifeline - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Saving Cord Blood - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cell Implant to the Brain Helps Improve Parkinson's Symptoms: Presented at SIR - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Governor Rendell Signs Bill Into Law - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Curing Blood Diseases: How Cord Blood Saves Lives - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cord Blood Registry Gains Momentum in First Quarter; Forecasts Strong Enrollment Growth in 2008 - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Study findings from University of Florida, Department of Pediatrics provide new insights into cord blood - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cord Blood Can Be Used To Treat Adult Leukemia - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Umbilical cord a lifeline for 2 kids - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- For Stem Cells, a Role on the Battlefield - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cochlear Repair After Transplant Of Human Cord Blood Cells May Make Hearing Restoration Possible - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- About Stem Cells - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem cells: Small wonders - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Stem Cell Therapy Lessens Damage Caused By Stroke - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]