Neural stem cell-like cells derived from autologous bone mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of patients with cerebral palsy

Abstract

BackgroundStem cell therapy is a promising treatment for cerebral palsy, which refers to a category of brain diseases that are associated with chronic motor disability in children. Autologous MSCs may be a better cell source and have been studied for the treatment of cerebral palsy because of their functions in tissue repair and the regulation of immunological processes.MethodsTo assess neural stem cell–like (NSC-like) cells derived from autologous marrow mesenchymal stem cells as a novel treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy, a total of 60 cerebral palsy patients were enrolled in this open-label, non-randomised, observer-blinded controlled clinical study with a 6-months follow-up. For the transplantation group, a total of 30 cerebral palsy patients received an autologous NSC-like cells transplantation (1-2 × 107 cells into the subarachnoid cavity) and rehabilitation treatments whereas 30 patients in the control group only received rehabilitation treatment.ResultsWe recorded the gross motor function measurement scores, language quotients, and adverse events up to 6 months post-treatment. The gross motor function measurement scores in the transplantation group were significantly higher at month 3 (the score increase was 42.6, 95% CI: 9.8–75.3, P=.011) and month 6 (the score increase was 58.6, 95% CI: 25.8–91.4, P=.001) post-treatment compared with the baseline scores. The increase in the Gross Motor Function Measurement scores in the control group was not significant. The increases in the language quotients at months 1, 3, and 6 post-treatment were not statistically significant when compared with the baseline quotients in both groups. All the 60 patients survived, and none of the patients experienced serious adverse events or complications.ConclusionOur results indicated that NSC-like cells are safe and effective for the treatment of motor deficits related to cerebral palsy. Further randomised clinical trials are necessary to establish the efficacy of this procedure.

Putative mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adult human ovaries

“…Gonzalez et al [13] showed that MSCs can express pluripotency-related genes, and even more interesting these MSCs were isolated from adult human testes, which could indicate that these cells and PO-MSCs originate from the same cells in the developmental stage of indifferent gonads. Moreover, there are more and more studies confirming the trans-differentiation potential of MSCs [49][50][51][52][53][54][55] which makes them still more interesting to be applied in regenerative medicine and cellular therapies in the future. In the case of cells cultured in this study, we would particularly suggest using them in the frame of restoring ovarian function in cases of its impairment or of premature ovarian failure.…”

The Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: An Overview of Open Labels and Ongoing Studies

“…Interestingly, experts showed that neural stem cell derived from autologous bone MSC are safe and effective for treatment of motor deficits related to cerebral palsy [53]. As a result, one new area in treatment of CNS disease is the application of the NSC.…”

“…Therefore, it seems that these kinds of stem cells are not the optimal candidates for stem cell-based therapy. Nevertheless, there are studies that have shown hMSC emerge phenotypes and can differentiate into NSC-like cells in vitro [53]. Neurotrophic cytokines, such as human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and bovine fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can induce mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into NSC.…”

Safety of neural stem cell transplantation in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

“…In order to prepare NSC-like cells, bone marrow aspiration, isolation and cultivation of MSCs, induction of NSCs and cell preparation were performed as previously described (14,17). Briefly, 5 ml bone marrow was obtained by puncture in the posterior iliac crest of each patient according to the conventional bone marrow aspiration procedures.…”

“…Although the functional mechanisms of this therapy have yet to be determined, these previous studies demonstrated that stem cell administration improves functional recovery following TBI in experimental animals. In addition, transplantation of stem cells has been successfully used in a clinical trial for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy (12)(13)(14). Thus, stem cell transplantation may be an attractive approach to restore brain function after TBI in humans.…”