Researchers from the Reeve Irvine Research Center at the University of California, Irvine have published studies demonstrating that human embryonic stem cells (hESC)-derived oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPCs) could be delivered to the injured spinal cord in rats, and resulted in functional improvement in locomotion as well as histological evidence of spinal cord repair. This provides proof of concept for the therapeutic potential of differentiated hESCs in neurological indications.
hESC-derived OPCs transplanted directly into the rat spinal cord injury survived and migrated appropriately both upstream and downstream from the lesion. Rats transplanted seven days after injury showed improved walking ability compared to animals receiving a control transplant.
The OPC-treated animals showed improved hindlimb-forelimb coordination and weight bearing capacity, increased stride length, and better paw placement compared to control-treated animals. Such improvements in locomotor function were not observed when injured animals were treated ten months after injury, likely due to extensive scar formation which developed at the injury site in the months prior to OPC transplant.
Microscopic examination of the spinal cords of OPC-treated animals showed evidence of spinal cord repair. These results provide direct evidence for the structural tissue reparative function of these hESC-derived cells.
“The work published today demonstrates the potential for human embryonic stem cell-based therapies to restore normal physiological function by means of repairing tissue lost to injury or disease,” stated Dr Thomas Okarma, Geron’s president and CEO. “We are currently engaged in preclinical development studies to ultimately enable testing of these cells in humans.”