WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
Multiple Sclerosis is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder of the Central Nervous System, which consists of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. This immune-mediated disorder attacks healthy tissue from the Central Nervous System. Multiple sclerosis destroys myelin, a protective, fatty covering around the nerves. The nerves send signals to the brain, thus when the protective covering is obliterated, poor coordination, blindness, tremors, and paralysis can result. (Citation 17)
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF STEM CELLS
According to researchers at the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, stem cells derived from muscle tissue were able to repair nerve damage and also restore the function of a sciatic nerve in an animal model. This research suggests that nerve diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, may be viable for cellular therapy one day.
Currently, peripheral nerve therapy has not been very successful, leaving victims afflicted with damaged peripheral nerves with impaired muscle control and sensation, and pain and decreased function, according to senior author Johnny Huard, Ph.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery.
"This study indicates that placing adult, human muscle-derived stem cells at the site of peripheral nerve injury can help heal the lesion," Dr. Huard said.
"The stem cells were able to make non-neuronal support cells to promote the regeneration of the damaged nerve fiber."
(Citation 31)
(Photo 49)
FURTHER RESEARCH
Human muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells were cultured in a growth medium suitable for nerve cells by Dr. Huard and Mitra Lavasani, Ph.D., first author and assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery, Pitt School of Medicine.The researchers found that, with prompting from specific nerve-growth factors, the stem cells could differentiate into neurons and glial support cells, also including Schwann cells which form the myelin sheath around the axons of neurons to improve conduction of nerve impulses.
A study in mice was conducted, where human muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells were injected into a quarter-inch defect of the mouse's right sciatic nerve. This defect was surgically created by the researchers to find if stem cells could treat the nerve, which would improve the right leg movement. Within 6 weeks, the nerve was fully reconstructed in the stem cell treated mice, while the control group of untreated mice had limited nerve regrowth and functionality. Twelve weeks later, the mice were able to balance their legs at the same level when being held vertically from the tail. While both the treated and untreated mice were afflicted with muscle atrophy at first, the treated mice were able to repair the nerve and gain normal muscle mass by 72 weeks after the surgery.
(Citation 31)
