Muscle stem cells repair damaged nerves
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, working under the guidance of Dr. Johnny Huard, using stem cells isolated from human muscle tissue, restored nerve damage and the ability to control muscles in an animal model of sciatic nerve damage.
Existing methods of repairing peripheral nerve damage in many cases do not allow achieving good results. Patients often have impaired sensitivity and ability to control muscles, as well as pain syndrome. The authors believe that the introduction of adult muscle stem cells into the injury zone can help solve this problem.
As part of their research, they cultured stem cells isolated from human muscle tissue in an environment designed to grow nerve cells. The presence of specific growth factors in the environment ensured the differentiation of cells into neurons and glial cells, including Schwann cells, which form a protective myelin sheath around neurons that improves the conduction of nerve impulses.
The resulting population of cells was injected into a surgically created defect of the right sciatic nerve controlling the movements of the mouse's right hind paw. The size of the defect was approximately 6 mm. After six weeks, complete regeneration of the damage was observed in the animals, whereas only partial restoration of the nerve and paw functionality was observed in the mice of the control group. After 12 weeks, the mice of the experimental group, when held by the tail in a vertical position, balanced with both hind legs at the same level. The analysis of the traces of these mice collected in a specially designed maze testified to the uniformity of the load on the paws.
Muscle tissue atrophy was observed in animals of both groups after nerve damage, but only in animals that underwent cell therapy, muscle mass fully recovered 72 weeks after surgery.
Researchers believe that this approach can be effective not only for acute nerve damage, but also for chronic pathologies such as diabetic neuropathy and multiple sclerosis. Currently, they are trying to understand the mechanisms by which human muscle stem cells trigger nerve repair, and are also developing stem cell injection systems, such as gels that can hold cells in larger lesions.
The results of the work were published on March 18 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the University of Pittsburgh:
Stem Cells from Muscle Can Repair Nerve Damage After Injury, Pitt Researchers Show.
20.03.2014