Cell-based reparative therapies for multiple sclerosis.
The strong rationale for cell-based therapy in multiple sclerosis is based on the ability of stem and precursor cells of neural and mesenchymal origin to attenuate neuroinflammation, to facilitate endogenous repair processes, and to participate directly in remyelination, if directed towards a myelin-forming fate. However, there are still major gaps in knowledge regarding induction of repair in chronic multiple sclerosis lesions, and whether transplanted cells can overcome the multiple environmental inhibitory factors which underlie the failure of endogenous repair. Major challenges in clinical translation include the determination of the optimal cellular platform, the route of cell delivery, and candidate patients for treatment.
Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, tamir@hadassah.org.il.
Tamir
T
Ben-Hur
Nina
N
Fainstein
Yossi
Y
Nishri
D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends