25 research outputs found
Human–animal chimeras: ethical issues about farming chimeric animals bearing human organs
Hydrogel-based scaffolds to support intrathecal stem cell transplantation as a gateway to the spinal cord: clinical needs, biomaterials, and imaging technologies
The prospects for cell replacement in spinal cord diseases are impeded by inefficient stem
cell delivery. The deep location of the spinal cord and complex surgical access, as well as
densely packed vital structures, question the feasibility of the widespread use of multiple
spinal cord punctures to inject stem cells. Disorders characterized by disseminated
pathology are particularly appealing for the distribution of cells globally throughout the
spinal cord in a minimally invasive fashion. The intrathecal space, with access to a
relatively large surface area along the spinal cord, is an attractive route for global stem cell
delivery, and, indeed, is highly promising, but the success of this approach relies on the
ability of cells 1) to survive in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 2) to adhere to the spinal cord
surface, and 3) to migrate, ultimately, into the parenchyma. Intrathecal infusion of cell
suspension, however, has been insufficient and we postulate that embedding
transplanted cells within hydrogel scaffolds will facilitate reaching these goals. In this
review, we focus on practical considerations that render the intrathecal approach clinically
viable, and then discuss the characteristics of various biomaterials that are suitable to
serve as scaffolds. We also propose strategies to modulate the local microenvironment
with nanoparticle carriers to improve the functionality of cellular grafts. Finally, we
provide an overview of imaging modalities for in vivo monitoring and characterization of
biomaterials and stem cells. This comprehensive review should serve as a guide for those
planning pre-clinical and clinical studies on intrathecal stem cell transplantation.Funds provided under the project NanoTech4ALS (ref. ENMed/0008/2015, 13/EuroNanoMed/2016), funded under the EU FP7 M-ERA.NET program, Strategmed 1/233209/12/NCBIR/2015, and NIH R01 NS091100. The FCT distinction attributed to J.M.O. under the Investigator FCT program (IF/01285/2015) is also gratefully acknowledgedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Stem cells for the treatment of neurological disorders.
Many common neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis, are caused by a loss of neurons and glial cells. In recent years, neurons and glia have been generated successfully from stem cells in culture, fuelling efforts to develop stem-cell-based transplantation therapies for human patients. More recently, efforts have been extended to stimulating the formation and preventing the death of neurons and glial cells produced by endogenous stem cells within the adult central nervous system. The next step is to translate these exciting advances from the laboratory into clinically useful therapies