HUMAN IPS IN SCI

Human iPS cell therapy for spinal cord injury

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Human iPS cell therapy for Spinal Cord Injury with Acronym: “Human iPS in SCI”

Our overall aim is to develop a clinically safe and effective neural cell therapy, combining novel biomaterials and human neural progenitor cells, to improve functional outcome after spinal cord injury (SCI). We have the unique possibility to compare neuro-rescue potentials of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and their neural progeny, with that of human neural precursor cells from the already formed spinal cord.

The questions raised and studied in the present research program are unique with the introduction of human iPS cells and bioresorbable hydrogels. It offers future autologous transplantation procedures and thereby no immunological and reduced ethical considerations. If we manage, we can make patient-specific cell preparations to counteract the secondary degeneration after SCI. The project is of high relevance for clinical introduction of neural cell therapy after SCI, as well as other nervous system lesions.

Our proposed project will significantly contribute and add novel and multidisciplinary competencies to my profile as research fellow, developing my skills as a valid and independent European researcher. The cultural exchange with Karolinska Institutet will allow me to gain knowledge and skills in human neural stem cell, iPS techniques, SCI in vitro and in vivo models as well as in the field of biomaterial engineering. In addition, my genuine geographical move to Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm to perform this project, offers me to join, and add knowledge to, the European research community in developing effective future cell therapies for neurodegenerative and traumatic nervous system lesions.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A European research team investigated the potential of using neural stem cells for functionally improving the outcome of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Regenerative therapy is emerging as a promising approach for treating injuries. Such therapeutic approaches entail the administration of tissue-specific stem cells from various sources to differentiate and provide tissue recovery.

Scientists on the EU-funded 'Human iPS cell therapy for spinal cord injury' (HUMAN IPS IN SCI) project evaluated the regenerative potential of neural stem cells following SCI. They evaluated a number of parameters including spinal cord cell death and survival, immune response, host inflammation as well as sensory-motor function.

Foetal neural progenitor cells exhibited a capacity to modulate human peripheral leukocytes and activated microglia, limiting the inflammatory potential of microglia. Researchers observed a similar effect in organ cultures of injured spinal cord with significant cell death and increased microglial activity in the absence of therapy. The administration of neural progenitor cells offered neuroprotection and reduced inflammation. When given in vivo, these neural progenitor cells enhanced the survival of host neurons and animals with SCI showed an overall functional improvement.

Project members additionally considered the use of induced pluripotent stem cells as a source of neural cells. Further experimentation with these cells is required to address their modulating and therapeutic properties in SCI.

Taken together, the findings of the HUMAN IPS IN SCI study demonstrate that neural progenitor cells have regenerative and neuroprotective properties. In the long term this approach could be extended for the therapy of other nervous system lesions and neurodegenerative disorders.