Researchers report a breakthrough in treating hypophosphatasia, a fatal genetic bone disease, by combining bone marrow transplants with mesenchymal stem cell transplants. The treatment has shown promising results in improving bone mineralization and survival rates for infants with severe hypophosphatasia.
Researchers are using novel methods to understand how nerve cells form new connections after spinal cord injury, with the goal of restoring function and movement. A five-year NIH grant will allow them to isolate specific cell types and study their growth and interactions.
After a small number of MS patients received high-dose immunosuppressive therapy and then transplanted with their own hematopoietic stem cells, most sustained remission of active relapsing-remitting MS. Improvements in neurological function, quality-of-life, and functional scores were also noted.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully restored type 1 diabetics' ability to recognize low blood sugar levels after receiving islet cell transplantation. The treatment has nearly abolished time spent in a hypoglycemic state and improved response to experimental insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have successfully transplanted human stem cell-derived neurons into the brains of mice with epilepsy, reducing seizures in half of the recipients. The treatment showed promise, with improved electrical activity and reversal of seizure symptoms.
Researchers have successfully transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from a patient's own olfactory bulb into the damaged spinal cord, followed by a nerve bridge procedure. This treatment resulted in improved sensory and motor function for the paralyzed individual.
Researchers have discovered that ependymal progenitor cells can respond to purinergic receptors, which may lead to potential therapeutic alternatives in treating spinal cord injuries. A second study found that transplanted bone marrow cells enhanced neurological repair and remyelination of damaged areas.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego aim to develop a whole eye transplant technique that can reconnect the eye's neuronal wiring to the brain. The goal is to treat patients with vision restoration due to structural or functional problems in the eye.
A new molecule, UM171, has been discovered that can multiply stem cells in a unit of cord blood, increasing the number of units available for transplant. This breakthrough could revolutionize the treatment of leukemia and other blood-related diseases, particularly for non-Caucasian patients who often have limited access to transplants.
Researchers found that transplanting B10 human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the bladder wall of mice with spinal cord injury improved bladder function by promoting the growth of smooth muscle cells. This study provides potential evidence for MSC-based cell transplantation as a novel therapeutic strategy for bladder d...
Two women with rare stiff person syndrome (SPS) have been successfully treated, one through auto-HSCT and the other through work and activity resumption. Both patients experienced significant symptom improvement, with the first patient no longer experiencing SPS symptoms after a year and the second able to return to work.
Researchers have discovered a way to induce immunorejection of tumors formed by stem cell transplantation, potentially eliminating cancer. The study used laboratory mice and found that withdrawal of immunosuppression led to rejection of tumors, creating a 'safety lock' against tumor growth.
Researchers propose transplanting neural progenitor cells to build a neuronal relay across the injured spinal cord. The model focuses on forming two synaptic connections, one between host axons and graft-derived neurons, and the other between graft axons and target sites within the host, aiming to restore connectivity and function.
A review of over 240 patient cases found transplants to be highly effective in treating severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in young children. Early transplantation without infection results in exceptionally good outcomes, with overall five-year survival rates ranging from 77-93%.
Researchers developed a therapy combining motoneuron-like cell transplantation with GDNF delivery, reducing cavity formations and increasing cell density. This treatment exhibited superior promoting effects on motor function recovery compared to individual therapies.
Researchers found that adding IL-10 to transplanted smooth muscle cells improved cell survival and cardiac function after myocardial infarction. The study suggests a new approach to prevent host rejection of allogenic cells in cardiac tissue repair.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a method to collect the best cell type for regenerating damaged corneas, with purified human stem cells showing promise in improving long-term vision in mice. The discovery is expected to quickly translate into improved human therapies and could potentially restore the corneal surface.
Researchers found a strong connection between post-transplant gut microbiota diversity and outcomes, with patients having low diversity more likely to die from transplant-related causes. The study suggests that preserving gut microbiota diversity may improve stem cell transplant outcomes.
Research published in Liver Transplantation found that childhood liver transplant recipients have a reduced body cell mass post-transplant, leading to an increase in fat mass and a slim body composition. The study suggests that these patients are at risk of becoming 'skinny fat' due to their low body cell mass.
Transplanted dopamine neurons from fetal tissue remain healthy for at least 14 years after transplantation, according to a recent study. The findings suggest that stem cells can be a viable source for transplant-ready dopamine neurons, providing further rationale for pursuing this therapeutic approach.
Researchers found that intravenous injections of dental pulp stem cells have a protective effect against brain damage from heat stroke in mice. The treatment inhibited neurological deficits and reduced oxidative damage to the brain. However, further studies are needed to determine the precise mechanism of SHED-mediated growth factors.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have found that transplanted fetal dopamine cells can remain healthy and functional for up to 14 years in patients with Parkinson's disease. The discovery could lead to new therapies using stem cells grown in labs, reducing symptoms and the need for dopamine replacement drugs.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a neural transplant that significantly reduces absence epilepsy seizures in mice. The treatment targets specific areas of the brain affected by the disease, offering hope for developing new therapies for humans suffering from various forms of epilepsies.
Researchers have recreated the 3D architecture of the cornea to facilitate the transplant of healthy corneal stem cells. This innovation restores sight by replacing damaged cell layers with functional ones.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have made a significant breakthrough in regenerative medicine by reprogramming mature blood cells into blood-forming hematopoietic stem cells. The induced blood-forming stem cells (iHSCs) have functional hallmarks of HSCs and can give rise to all cellular components of the blood.
Researchers successfully transplanted human neural stem cells into nonhuman primate brains and observed their long-term survival and differentiation into neurons. The study holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet successfully transplanted a regenerated esophagus into rats, showing regeneration of nerves, muscles, epithelial cells and blood vessels. The breakthrough could improve survival and quality of life for patients with oesophageal disorders.
Researchers found that repeated hUCB MNC injections produced greater neuroprotection in mice modeled with MPS III B, preserving hippocampal structure and reducing microglial activation. The treatment also showed promise in modulating anxiety and inflammation.
The study found that hRAMP1-over-expressing MSCs inhibit neointimal proliferation and improve infarcted heart function in rabbit models. This approach may be useful for treating damaged vessels and the infracted heart.
Researchers found that human umbilical cord blood cells transplanted into rats with simulated myocardial infarction improved left ventricular heart function and preserved myocardial fiber structure. The study showed long-term benefits for the treated rats, suggesting a potential therapy for MIs.
Researchers found that memory T cells play a crucial role in lung transplant acceptance, suggesting that current immune-suppression strategies may contribute to organ rejection. The study aims to develop new strategies to selectively target immunosuppression in lung transplants and boost the ability of memory T cells.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center successfully generate new neurons from adult astrocytes in mice, offering hope for repairing traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage. The two-step approach uses a transcription factor to reprogram scar-forming astrocytes into neurons, which then mature and persist for months.
Researchers develop a method to predict future clinical events using genomic testing over multiple patient visits. The AlloMap test can assess the risk of dysfunction or rejection of a transplanted heart months before such an event may occur.
Researchers analyzed T cell receptor sequences to understand immune system reconstitution following high-dose immunosuppression. CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes exhibit different reconstitution patterns, with dominant clones expanded or undetectable at 12 months post-transplant.
A recent study published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation found that parents of children undergoing stem cell transplant experience increased distress during the procedure but recover to normal levels of adjustment. Parents demonstrate remarkable recovery despite facing significant life challenges.
Researchers have found that during active rejection episodes, many to most of the immune cells involved are of donor origin. This discovery provides new insights into the rejection process, suggesting that transplanted faces carry their own army of immune cells that may defend against rejecting recipient cells.
Researchers successfully transplanted skin-derived stem cells into collagen tubes to bridge gaps in injured nerves, resulting in functional recovery and saving the upper arms from amputation. The study provides a promising new avenue for treating peripheral nerve injuries.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to bridge the glial scar following chronic spinal cord injury using self-donated Schwann cells. This breakthrough enables regenerated and elongated brainstem axons to cross the bridge, potentially leading to improved hind limb movement in rats with spinal cord injury.
Researchers found that transitioning epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells improved cardiac regeneration by reducing infarct size. The study showed that this process enhanced the cardioprotective effects of human amniotic epithelial cells.
Researchers found that co-culturing hepatocytes with mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord or fat tissues improved albumin production, urea production, and viability of hepatocytes. The combination of transplanted hepatocytes and MSCs has great promise in treating acute liver failure.
Researchers found that MSCs from MS patients exhibit higher senescence and decreased expression of immune system markers, suggesting a potential problem with autologous stem cell transplants. Allogenic bone marrow stem cells may be a preferable treatment option to maximize their therapeutic potential.
A new technology grows cord blood stem cells in a lab before transplant, increasing survival rates by 9.6% compared to traditional methods. Patients who received the StemEx transplants engrafted faster and were less vulnerable to infections and bleeding.
Researchers have made significant strides in expanding transplant eligibility and improving long-term success rates, particularly for older patients. Studies have shown that haploidentical transplants and cord blood cells can be viable alternatives to fully matched donors.
A gene therapy trial has shown promising early results for the 'bubble boy' disease, with 8 out of 9 children treated well. The study used haploidentical transplants and high-dose post-transplantation cyclophosphamide to improve outcomes for patients who were previously ineligible due to a lack of matching donors.
Researchers have developed genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrating early efficacy and safety in patients with blood disorders. The treatments use a patient's own re-engineered cells to attack their disease, offering an innovative approach to precision medicine.
Researchers found that co-transplanted endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) improved the engraftment of pancreatic islet cells in mouse models, leading to a significantly improved cure rate and glycemic control. This study suggests that EPCs modulate the expression of connexin 36 and affect glucose-stimulated insulin release.
A study investigated the optimal site for cell transplantation to treat spinal cord injury, using laboratory mice with contusive spinal cord injuries. The researchers found that intralesional injection of neural stem/progenitor cells led to motor functional recovery and improved survival rates compared to other sites.
Researchers from Bonn University discovered that immature nerve cells secrete chemical attractants that prevent mature brain cells from migrating into the brain. Inactivating these attractants improves nerve cell migration in animal models, offering a promising universal approach to treat Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
A study found that early stem cell transplants significantly improved remission rates among high-risk non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. However, the treatment did not impact overall survival for this group, except in those with the highest risk of relapse.
A new study published in CMAJ found that the odds of patients with brain injury deteriorating to neurologic death decreased over a 10-year period, likely due to improved care and prevention measures such as road safety initiatives and enhanced clinical care.
Researchers at Lund University have made a breakthrough in stem cell-based treatment for stroke by developing induced pluripotent stem cells that mature into functional nerve cells. These cells, transplanted into the cerebral cortex of rats with stroke, improve mobility and demonstrate promising results.
A new drug, CMX001, has been shown to prevent a common and sometimes severe viral disease in patients receiving stem-cell transplants. The study found that patients taking the drug were 90% less likely to develop cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection than those taking a placebo.
The new procedure, known as the CIT07 protocol, resulted in significantly improved islet cell function and enabled patients to discontinue daily insulin injections. The approach reduced inflammation and allowed for more efficient use of fewer islet cells.
Researchers found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can promote recovery from simulated childbirth injury and reduce symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. The treatment uses multipotent cells found in connective tissues, which home to damaged pelvic organs and release trophic factors to stimulate repair.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have found that transplanting fat into mice with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) significantly lowers amino acid levels, a breakthrough for treating this rare inherited disorder. The procedure may also be effective for other metabolic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio suggest that cell transplants could be a promising treatment for schizophrenia. By transplanting interneurons into the brain, they were able to restore normal function in rats with impaired dopamine systems, which are involved in cognition, movement, and emotions.
Researchers developed a way to change pancreatic cells to produce insulin, reducing the need for two pancreas donations for successful islet cell transplants. This breakthrough could save months of waiting time for Type 1 diabetes patients and make more organs available.
Researchers engineered 'helper cells' to provide growth factors to transplanted stem cells, increasing their endurance and survival rate. The study aims to overcome a major barrier to successful stem cell therapy.
A recent study has found a link between kidney transplant patients and an increased risk of invasive skin cancer. The research suggests that tumor cells from the donated kidney can lead to cancer formation in recipient tissues.
A new study published in Neuron sheds light on the complex processes of brain integration, revealing differences in excitatory and inhibitory cells and superficial and deep layers of the cortex. This breakthrough understanding is essential for designing future strategies to stimulate brain repair and re-create precise circuits.