Different Kinds of Stem Cells in Use For Treating Spinal Cord Injury

The devastating disease spinal cord injury affects 12,000 people each year in the USA alone. The most likely causes of SCI are automobile accidents, violence, falls and sports injuries. SCI can also have genetic origins as well. An SCI injury may affect the discs, ligaments, and the vertebral bones. Cells undergo ischemia, and other toxic variables also cause necrosis and cell death. The secondary lesions may even be more complex and cause dis-regulation of ion balance, lipid peroxidation, blockage of action potentials and other impairments.

Stem Cell Therapy For SCI

Stem cell transplantation has good hope for treating the otherwise incurable disease. Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury has the main objective of functional recovery of neurons and neural regeneration. Stem cells can enhance the local neural regeneration capacity by secreting certain neurotrophic factors. The stem cells can replace the lost neurons and promote the regeneration of damaged axons.

There are different kinds of stem cells that have tremendous potential for treating SCI:

Schwann Cells

Schwann cells are the chief cells that provide for production of the myelin sheath. After their transplantation inside the human body, the cells secrete a number of neurotrophic factors like CNTF, BDNF, and NGF that improve the survival rates of neurons. These factors also support the growth of axons through secretion of proteins. Schwann cell transplantation is known to provide for the motor, sensory and autonomic improvement.

Embryonic Stem Cells

The pluripotent Embryonic Stem cells or ESCs are located in the blastocyst. They can differentiate to form all kinds of cells. Hence, they are considered to be perfect for stem cell transplantation. The differentiated neural ESCs can later develop to form oligodendrocytes, neurons, and astrocytes.

Bone Marrow Cells or Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Bone marrow is the single body organ where 2 different kinds of stem cells cooperate and coexist. The mesenchymal stem cells regulate the microenvironment and provide for the maturation of blood cells, which are produced by the HSCs or hematopoietic stem cells. When combined with the AT or autoimmune cells, the MSCs provided for motor improvement in patients suffering from spinal cord injury.

Olfactory Ensheathing Cells

Olfactory Ensheathing Cells or OECs surround the neural axons and form the neural synapses that are responsible for transferring of nerve impulses. They can guide neural connection in both CNS and PNS and can also differentiate to form the non-olfactory cells. That is why these multipotent cells are one of the best candidates for stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury. OEC transplantation provides for slower progression of neural diseases like SCI. Patients are reported to show marked improvement in neurological functions as well post stem cell therapy.

Neural Stem Cells

The multipotent neural stem cells can differentiate to form any kind of cell within the Central Nervous System. These cells are derived from the adult, fetal and embryonic nervous systems. After division, multiplication, and differentiation, these cells form the main component of the CNS. Patients are able to attain major improvements when these cells are transplanted into their body.

Stem cell therapy for neurological disorders like SCI and others is relatively new. Many scientists consider stem cells to be the future of regenerative and molecular medicine. A number of premier health care institutions throughout the world (including the Neurogen Brain and Spine Research Institute in Mumbai, India) have started providing stem cell treatment to those who are suffering from neurological disorders. The complete rehabilitation program also has other components and features like speech therapy, yoga therapy, andrologist services, music and dance therapy and other therapies. The combined effort improves the functioning of the nervous system and also improves their motor skills, among a range of other benefits. Autism and cerebral palsy stem cell treatment are now also possible through stem cell therapy at these world-class institutions.

The author is an expert in the field of stem cell research & therapy. The writer has a flair for writing and she keeps on writing various articles and blogs related to industry.