The promise of stem cell and regenerative therapies for multiple sclerosis

Abstract The regenerative capacity of the adult central nervous system (CNS) is severely limited and although partial regeneration can be observed in the CNS of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, these attempts at repair have been universally unsuccessful in preventing the accumulation of irreversibl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of autoimmunity 2008-11, Vol.31 (3), p.288-294
Main Authors: Payne, Natalie, Siatskas, Christopher, Bernard, Claude C.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
Central nervous system
Central Nervous System - immunology
Central Nervous System - metabolism
Chemokine CXCL1 - immunology
Chemokine CXCL1 - metabolism
Humans
Immunomodulation
Membrane Proteins - immunology
Membrane Proteins - metabolism
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis - immunology
Multiple Sclerosis - metabolism
Multiple Sclerosis - therapy
Myelin Proteins - immunology
Myelin Proteins - metabolism
Nerve Tissue Proteins - immunology
Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism
Neurons - cytology
Neurons - physiology
Neurons - transplantation
Nogo Proteins
Regeneration
Regeneration - physiology
Stem cell
Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem Cells - immunology
Stem Cells - metabolism
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Summary:Abstract The regenerative capacity of the adult central nervous system (CNS) is severely limited and although partial regeneration can be observed in the CNS of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, these attempts at repair have been universally unsuccessful in preventing the accumulation of irreversible neurological deficits. Novel therapies to treat MS must therefore take into account the need for both immunomodulation and neuroprotection and, as such, multifaceted treatment strategies are required. Two complimentary approaches that aim to regenerate an incapacitated CNS have recently emerged. Firstly, targeting degraded myelin growth inhibitory molecules released as a consequence of the inflammatory process provides a unique opportunity to manipulate the microenvironment of the degenerating CNS. Proof of concept studies have established that this therapeutic approach has tremendous potential in regenerating damaged axons as demonstrated in models of spinal cord injury (SCI) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS. In addition, stem cell based therapies offer a means of modulating inflammatory immune cells and promoting tissue repair as shown in a number of allogeneic transplant and autoimmune settings. This review attempts to summarise some of these approaches.
ISSN:0896-8411
1095-9157
DOI:10.1016/j.jaut.2008.04.002