PNAS, 2010 · DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0910106107 · Published: July 13, 2010
The study focuses on using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which are cells reprogrammed from adult cells to act like embryonic stem cells, to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. Researchers created iPS cells, differentiated them into neural cells, and transplanted them into mice with SCI. They found that 'safe' iPS-derived cells could differentiate into various neural cell types and promote functional recovery without forming tumors. However, transplantation of 'unsafe' iPS-derived cells led to tumor formation and functional decline, highlighting the importance of careful pre-evaluation of iPS cells before use in therapy.
Carefully pre-evaluated iPS cells hold promise as a cell source for transplantation therapy for spinal cord injury.
Rigorous pre-evaluation of iPS cells, including in vitro differentiation and in vivo tumorigenicity assessments, is crucial for ensuring the safety of iPS cell-based therapies.
iPS-derived cells can promote remyelination in the injured spinal cord, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for demyelinating conditions.