From transplanting Schwann cells in experimental rat spinal cord injury to their transplantation into human injured spinal cord in clinical trials.
Among the potential therapies designed to repair the injured spinal cord is cell transplantation, notably the use of autologous adult human Schwann cells (SCs). Here, we detail some of the critical research accomplished over the last four decades to establish a foundation that enables these cells to be tested in clinical trials. New culture systems allowed novel information to be gained about SCs, including discovering ways to stimulate their proliferation to acquire adequately large numbers for transplantation into the injured human spinal cord. Transplantation of rat SCs into rat models of spinal cord injury has demonstrated that SCs promote repair of injured spinal cord. Additional work required to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration for the first SC trial in the Miami Project is disclosed. This trial and a second one now underway are described.
['Bunge|Mary B|MB|', 'Monje|Paula V|PV|', 'Khan|Aisha|A|', 'Wood|Patrick M|PM|']
D000818:Animals D017690:Cell Transplantation D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic D006801:Humans D009416:Nerve Regeneration D051381:Rats D012583:Schwann Cells D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injury Human Schwann cells Schwann cell clinical trials Schwann cell transplantation Spinal cord repair