ScienceDaily
Your source for the latest research news
Follow Subscribe
New:
  • Intricate Process of DNA Repair
  • Scientists Unravel Mystery of Photosynthesis
  • Controlling Light With Light
  • Monster Galaxy in Very Early Universe
  • Pluto's Icy Heart Makes Winds Blow
  • Why Flu Hits Some People Harder Than Others
  • Sand Dunes Can 'Communicate' With Each Other
  • 'Parentese' Boosts Baby Language Development
  • Solar Wind Interactions Beyond Earth Orbit
  • Eating Red, Processed Meat: Study Finds Risks
advertisement
Follow all of ScienceDaily's latest research news and top science headlines!
Science News
from research organizations

New injection technique may boost spinal cord injury repair efforts

Date:
January 29, 2020
Source:
University of California - San Diego
Summary:
Researchers describe a new method for delivering neural precursor cells to spinal cord injuries in rats, reducing the risk of further injury and boosting the propagation of potentially reparative cells.
Share:
FULL STORY

Spinal cord injury concept (stock image). | Credit: (c) ibreakstock / stock.adobe.com
Spinal cord injury concept (stock image).
Credit: © ibreakstock / Adobe Stock
Spinal cord injury concept (stock image). | Credit: (c) ibreakstock / stock.adobe.com
Spinal cord injury concept (stock image).
Credit: © ibreakstock / Adobe Stock

Writing in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine, an international research team, led by physician-scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, describe a new method for delivering neural precursor cells (NSCs) to spinal cord injuries in rats, reducing the risk of further injury and boosting the propagation of potentially reparative cells.

advertisement

The findings are published in the Jan. 29, 2020 print issue.

NSCs hold great potential for treating a variety of neurodegenerative diseases and injuries to the spinal cord. The stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into multiple types of neural cell, depending upon their environment. As a result, there is great interest and much effort to use these cells to repair spinal cord injuries and effectively restore related functions.

But current spinal cell delivery techniques, said Martin Marsala, MD, professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, involve direct needle injection into the spinal parenchyma -- the primary cord of nerve fibers running through the vertebral column. "As such, there is an inherent risk of (further) spinal tissue injury or intraparechymal bleeding," said Marsala.

The new technique is less invasive, depositing injected cells into the spinal subpial space -- a space between the pial membrane and the superficial layers of the spinal cord.

"This injection technique allows the delivery of high cell numbers from a single injection," said Marsala. "Cells with proliferative properties, such as glial progenitors, then migrate into the spinal parenchyma and populate over time in multiple spinal segments as well as the brain stem. Injected cells acquire the functional properties consistent with surrounding host cells."

Marsala, senior author Joseph Ciacci, MD, a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, and colleagues suggest that subpially-injected cells are likely to accelerate and improve treatment potency in cell-replacement therapies for several spinal neurodegenerative disorders in which a broad repopulation by glial cells, such as oligodendrocytes or astrocytes, is desired.

"This may include spinal traumatic injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis," said Ciacci.

The researchers plan to test the cell delivery system in larger preclinical animal models of spinal traumatic injury that more closely mimic human anatomy and size. "The goal is to define the optimal cell dosing and timing of cell delivery after spinal injury, which is associated with the best treatment effect," said Marsala.

Co-authors include: Kota Kamizato and Takahiro Tadokoro, UC San Diego and University of Ryukyus, Japan; Michael Navarro and Silvia Marsala, UC San Diego; Stefan Juhas, Jana Juhasova, Hana Studenovska and Vladimir Proks, Czech Academy of Sciences; Tom Hazel and Karl Johe, Neuralstem, Inc.; and Shawn Driscoll, Thomas Glenn and Samuel Pfaff, Salk Institute.

make a difference: sponsored opportunity

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of California - San Diego. Original written by Scott LaFee. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Martin Marsala, Kota Kamizato, Takahiro Tadokoro, Michael Navarro, Stefan Juhas, Jana Juhasova, Silvia Marsala, Hana Studenovska, Vladimir Proks, Tom Hazel, Karl Johe, Manabu Kakinohana, Shawn Driscoll, Thomas Glenn, Samuel Pfaff, Joseph Ciacci. Spinal parenchymal occupation by neural stem cells after subpial delivery in adult immunodeficient rats. STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, 2019; 9 (2): 177 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.19-0156

Cite This Page:

  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago
University of California - San Diego. "New injection technique may boost spinal cord injury repair efforts." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 January 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129125606.htm>.
University of California - San Diego. (2020, January 29). New injection technique may boost spinal cord injury repair efforts. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 6, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129125606.htm
University of California - San Diego. "New injection technique may boost spinal cord injury repair efforts." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/01/200129125606.htm (accessed February 6, 2020).

  • RELATED TOPICS
    • Health & Medicine
      • Bone and Spine
      • Nervous System
      • Disability
      • Stem Cells
    • Mind & Brain
      • Neuroscience
      • Brain Injury
      • Disorders and Syndromes
      • Multiple Sclerosis
advertisement

  • RELATED TERMS
    • Embryonic stem cell
    • Spinal cord
    • Stem cell
    • Stem cell treatments
    • Adult stem cell
    • Meningitis
    • Brain damage
    • Glioma
RELATED STORIES

Regrowing Damaged Nerves Hinges on Shutting Down Key Genes
Dec. 10, 2018 — Neurons in the brain and spinal cord don't grow back after injury, unlike those in the rest of the body. Now, researchers have identified some of the key steps taken by nerves in the legs as ... read more
Introduction of a Novel System for in Vitro Analyses of Zebrafish Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells
Oct. 23, 2017 — Spinal cord injuries result from a blunt or penetrating trauma. This is generally caused by accidents that occur during sport activities or when driving. Injuries of the spinal cord can lead to ... read more
Discovery Offers New Hope to Repair Spinal Cord Injuries
Apr. 24, 2017 — Scientists have created a special type of neuron from human stem cells that could potentially repair spinal cord injuries. These cells, called V2a interneurons, transmit signals in the spinal cord to ... read more
Regenerating Nerve Tissue in Spinal Cord Injuries
Aug. 13, 2015 — Researchers are exploring a new therapy using stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries within the first 14 to 30 days of injury. The therapy uses a population of cells derived from human embryonic ... read more
FROM AROUND THE WEB

Below are relevant articles that may interest you. ScienceDaily shares links with scholarly publications in the TrendMD network and earns revenue from third-party advertisers, where indicated.
  Print   Email   Share

advertisement

Most Popular
this week

HEALTH & MEDICINE
Coronavirus diagnosis concept (stock image). | Credit: (c) vchalup / stock.adobe.comModeling Study Estimates Spread of 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Mother talking to baby (stock image). | Credit: (c) Jacob Lund / stock.adobe.com'Parentese' Helps Parents, Babies Make 'Conversation' and Boosts Language Development
Whole Genome of the Wuhan Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, Sequenced
MIND & BRAIN
Brain Networks Come 'Online' During Adolescence to Prepare Teenagers for Adult Life
Parkinson's Disease May Start Before Birth
America's Most Widely Consumed Oil Causes Genetic Changes in the Brain
LIVING & WELL
Taking temperature of child (stock image). | Credit: (c) ladysuzi / stock.adobe.comFirst Childhood Flu Helps Explain Why Virus Hits Some People Harder Than Others
Graying hair (stock image). | Credit: (c) smolaw11 / stock.adobe.comSolving a Biological Puzzle: How Stress Causes Gray Hair
Processed meats (stock image). | Credit: (c) igor_kell / stock.adobe.comEating Red Meat and Processed Meat Hikes Heart Disease and Death Risk, Study Finds
advertisement

Strange & Offbeat
 

HEALTH & MEDICINE
High-Tech Printing May Help Eliminate Painful Shots
Flickering Light Mobilizes Brain Chemistry That May Fight Alzheimer's
Efficient Cryopreservation of Genetically Modified Rat Spermatozoa
MIND & BRAIN
Horror Movies Manipulate Brain Activity Expertly to Enhance Excitement
What It's Like to Live Without a Sense of Smell
The Way You Dance Is Unique, and Computers Can Tell It's You
LIVING & WELL
Physics of Giant Bubbles Bursts Secret of Fluid Mechanics
Security Risk for E-Scooters and Riders
Shot of espresso coffee (stock image). | Credit: (c) monte_foto / stock.adobe.comBrewing a Better Espresso, With a Shot of Math
SD
  • SD
    • Home Page
    • Top Science News
    • Latest News
  • Home
    • Home Page
    • Top Science News
    • Latest News
  • Health
    • View all the latest top news in the health sciences,
      or browse the topics below:
      Health & Medicine
      • Allergy
      • Alternative Medicine
      • Birth Control
      • Cancer
      • Diabetes
      • Diseases
      • Heart Disease
      • HIV and AIDS
      • Obesity
      • Stem Cells
      • ... more topics
      Mind & Brain
      • ADD and ADHD
      • Addiction
      • Alzheimer's
      • Autism
      • Depression
      • Headaches
      • Intelligence
      • Psychology
      • Relationships
      • Schizophrenia
      • ... more topics
      Living Well
      • Parenting
      • Pregnancy
      • Sexual Health
      • Skin Care
      • Men's Health
      • Women's Health
      • Nutrition
      • Diet and Weight Loss
      • Fitness
      • Healthy Aging
      • ... more topics
  • Tech
    • View all the latest top news in the physical sciences & technology,
      or browse the topics below:
      Matter & Energy
      • Aviation
      • Chemistry
      • Electronics
      • Fossil Fuels
      • Nanotechnology
      • Physics
      • Quantum Physics
      • Solar Energy
      • Technology
      • Wind Energy
      • ... more topics
      Space & Time
      • Astronomy
      • Black Holes
      • Dark Matter
      • Extrasolar Planets
      • Mars
      • Moon
      • Solar System
      • Space Telescopes
      • Stars
      • Sun
      • ... more topics
      Computers & Math
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Communications
      • Computer Science
      • Hacking
      • Mathematics
      • Quantum Computers
      • Robotics
      • Software
      • Video Games
      • Virtual Reality
      • ... more topics
  • Enviro
    • View all the latest top news in the environmental sciences,
      or browse the topics below:
      Plants & Animals
      • Agriculture and Food
      • Animals
      • Biology
      • Biotechnology
      • Endangered Animals
      • Extinction
      • Genetically Modified
      • Microbes and More
      • New Species
      • Zoology
      • ... more topics
      Earth & Climate
      • Climate
      • Earthquakes
      • Environment
      • Geography
      • Geology
      • Global Warming
      • Hurricanes
      • Ozone Holes
      • Pollution
      • Weather
      • ... more topics
      Fossils & Ruins
      • Ancient Civilizations
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • Dinosaurs
      • Early Humans
      • Early Mammals
      • Evolution
      • Lost Treasures
      • Origin of Life
      • Paleontology
      • ... more topics
  • Society
    • View all the latest top news in the social sciences & education,
      or browse the topics below:
      Science & Society
      • Arts & Culture
      • Consumerism
      • Economics
      • Political Science
      • Privacy Issues
      • Public Health
      • Racial Disparity
      • Religion
      • Sports
      • World Development
      • ... more topics
      Business & Industry
      • Biotechnology & Bioengineering
      • Computers & Internet
      • Energy & Resources
      • Engineering
      • Medical Technology
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Transportation
      • ... more topics
      Education & Learning
      • Animal Learning & Intelligence
      • Creativity
      • Educational Psychology
      • Educational Technology
      • Infant & Preschool Learning
      • Learning Disorders
      • STEM Education
      • ... more topics
  • Quirky
    • Top News
    • Human Quirks
    • Odd Creatures
    • Bizarre Things
    • Weird World
Free Subscriptions

Get the latest science news with ScienceDaily's free email newsletters, updated daily and weekly. Or view hourly updated newsfeeds in your RSS reader:

  • Email Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
Follow Us

Keep up to date with the latest news from ScienceDaily via social networks:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Have Feedback?

Tell us what you think of ScienceDaily -- we welcome both positive and negative comments. Have any problems using the site? Questions?

  • Leave Feedback
  • Contact Us
About This Site  |  Staff  |  Reviews  |  Contribute  |  Advertise  |  Privacy Policy  |  Editorial Policy  |  Terms of Use
Copyright 2020 ScienceDaily or by other parties, where indicated. All rights controlled by their respective owners.
Content on this website is for information only. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice.
Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily, its staff, its contributors, or its partners.
Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs, where indicated.
California residents: CCPA opt-out request form.