Re: Cell Transplants Help Nerve Regeneration
- From: "BigArtie" <xxx@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:36:04 -0500
"GT Tick" <OLTICK@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:11641-475F4530-1162@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bone Marrow Cell Transplants Help Nerve Regeneration
05 Dec 2007
A study carried out by researchers at the Kyoto University School of
Medicine and published in the current issue of CELL TRANSPLANTATION
(Vol.16 No. 8) has shown that when transplanted bone marrow cells (BMCs)
containing adult stem cells are protected by a 15mm silicon tube and
nourished with bio-engineered materials, they successfully help
regenerate damaged nerves. The research may provide an important step in
developing artificial nerves.
"We focused on the vascular and neurochemical environment within the
tube," said Tomoyuki Yamakawa, MD, the study's lead author. "We thought
that BMCs containing adult stem cells, with the potential to
differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or neuronal cells,
could survive by obtaining oxygen and nutrients, with the result that
rates of cell differentiation and regeneration would improve."
Nourished with bioengineered additives, such as growth factors and cell
adhesion molecules, the BMCs after 24 weeks differentiated into cells
with characteristics of Schwann cells - a variety of neural cell that
provides the insulating myelin around the axons of peripheral nerve
cells. The new cells successfully regenerated axons and extended their
growth farther across nerve cell gaps toward damaged nerve stumps, with
healthier vascularity.
"The differentiated cells, similar to Schwann cells, contributed
significantly to the promotion of axon regeneration through the tube,"
explained Yamakawa. "This success may be a further step in developing
artificial nerves."
Grafting self-donated (autologous) nerve cells to damaged nerves has
been widely practiced and considered the "gold standard." However,
autologous cells for transplant are in limited supply. Allologous cells,
donated by other individuals, require the host to take heavy
immunosuppressant drugs.
Artificial nerves, cultured from a variety of cells and transplanted to
nerve damaged areas, have been considered as alternatives to nerve
grafting. However, prior to this research, cells cultured for this
purpose have generally not been very successful in regenerating axons
with sufficient vascularity or length to bridge nerve gaps.
"This technique for implanting BMCs containing adult stem cells at
damaged nerve sites as employed by the Kyoto researchers has opened up
new possibilities for nerve regeneration," said Paul Sanberg, PhD,
D.Sc., Distinguished Professor at University of South Florida Health and
co-editor-in-chief of Cell Transplantation.
----------------------------
----------------------------
* The editorial offices for CELL TRANSPLANTATION are at the Center of
Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, College of Medicine, the
University of South Florida.
Source:
Ryosuke Kakinoik
College of Medicine, the University of South Florida.
Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/90766.php
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Less common: depression, suicidal tendency, mild anemia, elevated liver
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Betaseron®Flu-like symptoms following injection, which lessen over time for many.
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Copaxone®Injection site reactions. Less common: vasodilation (dilation of blood
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anxiety, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and flushing. This
lasts 15-30 minutes, passes without treatment, and has no known long-term
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Injection site reactions. Less common: Liver abnormalities, depression,
allergic reactions, and low red or white blood cell counts.
Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) should be used with caution in patients with
depression, a condition that is common in people with multiple sclerosis.
Depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts have been reported to
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(dizziness, fever, rash, itching, nausea, flushing, low blood pressure,
difficulty breathing, chest pain).
that attaches to a specific surface structure of immune T cells. Tysabri
slows or stops T cells from moving out of the bloodstream and into the brain
and spinal cord where they may stimulate the inflammation that is believed
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It is important to consider the following information in discussions with
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.
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