During the course of 2009 Spinal Research has been fundraising specifically towards our Translational Initiative - aimed at bridging the gap between the treatments which have repaired spinal cord injury in the lab and ones that are safe to apply on humans.
2010 is starting with good news. One of the recently approved projects is the very definition of a truly ‘Translational’ project - The title of this study is: "Use of Schwann cells to repair the chronically damaged spinal tract" and it is led by Prof James Guest at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
Background to this project
One reason for paralysis is believed to be loss of the specialised cells – called oligodendrocytes - that wrap the axons with the biological insulating material myelin. (see image below). Without myelin the nerve signals fail to propagate efficiently, communication is interrupted and function lost. Whilst many cells will be permanently damaged after injury, there is evidence that some of the de-myelinated tissue can be rescued and made to function again.
What is intriguing about the work in Miami is they are proposing to use a different type of cell to replace the myelin. Instead of oligodendrocytes, Guest will take some tissue from a region of the peripheral nervous system that can spare it and isolate Schwann cells. These cells perform a similar function to oligodendrocytes but the advantages of their approach are numerous, including procedures that result in cells from the patient being used rather than that of donors which would require the use of immunosuppressants.
This approach will then be combined with intensive physiotherapy to maximise its potential, as it has now been proven that treatments including physical rehabilitation increase the effectiveness of the treatment itself.
Why is this a’ Translational’ project?
Prof James Guest and colleagues are preparing to test this cell-based therapy in a clinically relevant large animal model of chronic spinal cord injury in what is hoped will be a final (and critical) efficacy study before application to humans. Previous studies have shown that restoration of function can be achieved with Schwann cells; this project will take those findings further and prepare them for application in people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury.
What is also crucial about this project is that, if successful, it will bring benefit to those people who have a chronic spinal injury – that’s the majority of our supporters, who are patiently waiting for the treatment that will transform their life, or the life of someone they love.
Spinal Research is still the only research organisation with a specific focus on chronic injuries.
