Induced pluripotent stem cells cured spinal cord injury
Japanese scientists were the first in the world to teach a paralyzed monkey to walk
RIA Novosti, Ksenia Naka.
Japanese scientists from Keio University were the first in the world to teach an almost completely paralyzed monkey to walk using induced pluripotent human stem cells (iPSC). The report was made by the head of the group, Professor Okano Hideyuki, at the scientific conference "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – 2010" held in Japan.
Scientists have grown nerve cells from iPS cells obtained from human skin, which were then transplanted to a marmoset monkey with a damaged spinal cord. The monkey was almost completely paralyzed: only the muscles of the head and neck functioned normally.
After 10 days, the monkey had weak limb movements, and six weeks after the start of the experiment, she was able to walk on her own, and the ability to squeeze and unclench the hand was also fully restored.
Until now, no treatment methods have been found for patients who have lost their motor ability as a result of injury. Japanese scientists managed to get as close as possible to the task of healing such patients in an experiment with primates close to humans.
A year and a half ago, Professor Okano achieved similar results with a paralyzed mouse, teaching it to walk a month after a cell transplant.
For the first time artificial multifunctional stem cells of non-embryonic origin, the so-called induced pluripotent stem cells capable of forming healthy cells of various organs, were obtained by Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University in 2006.
Scientists have managed to create a stem cell from an ordinary human skin cell. This discovery removed the previously existing ethical problem of using human embryonic cells and gave prospects for the creation of tissues and organs to replace those damaged or lost due to illness or injury. The building material for these organs and tissues will be the cells of the person himself.
In the four years since the creation of iPS cells, scientists, exposing them to various influences, have learned to grow cells of the heart muscle, intestines, pancreas, retina, blood, skin, as well as nerve cells. The main problem hindering the use of such cells in medicine is still the risk of developing cancer.
In June of this year, the Japanese government reviewed and generally approved the conduct of human clinical trials for the transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cells, subject to ethical restrictions and safety for the patient. Scientists expect that the first clinical experiments may begin in the next 10 years.
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08.12.2010