Spinal Cord Society of Australia

The use of stem cells in SCI.

The use of stem cells in developing cell-based therapies to treat disease and repair damaged tissues has become a ‘hot topic’ and their possible use is one of our primary strategies in achieving our goals.

The main strategies for spinal cord repair using stem cells are:

• to have them act as a cellular bridge providing chemical and mechanical cues for axons to traverse the bridge into the spinal cord below the injury site;
• to provide a source of new neurons which may repair damaged circuits in the spinal cord; and
• to secrete neuro-trophic substances which promote repair

 

The major controversy around stem cells is the use of embryonic stem cells – please refer to the links for more information around the ethical issues. (Link: http://www.lockhartreview.com.au/).

The use of embryonic stem cells usually requires  immunosuppressant drugs which presents severe risks to SCI patients many who already have chronic infections. The SCSA research involves the use of adult stem cells, preferably bone marrow stromal cells which can be obtained from the patient themselves thus avoiding the use of immunosuppressant drugs.

 NEW !

Dr Jesse Owens has summarised the issues around the use of Adult Stem Cells in the following document.

Adult stem cells and spinal cord injury treatment

 

There are number of excellent articles:

 

 

Stem Cell Basics

 

An excellent introduction to stem cell technology by the National Institutes of Health (USA) which covers the basic information about stem cells as well as explaining the differences between the various sources. Also covers potential applications and references for further reading.

 

Ethics, Stem Cells and Spinal Cord Repair

 

A review by Jeffrey V Rosenfeld and Grant R Gillett of the ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells in SCI situations. They conclude that while the use of stem cells offer considerable hope the ethical challenges are daunting.

 

Australian Stem Cell Centre Research Programme

This document describes the ASCC programme – the SCSA has a strong association with both the ASCC and Mesoblast (an Australian adult stem cell company).

 

Other links:

 

http://www.stemcellcentre.edu.au/

http://mesoblast.com.au/