BrainStorm (BCLI.OB) NurOwn™ inhibits Sciatic Nerve Injury
BCLI.OB’s intramuscular transplantation of autologous, astrocyte-like cells, NuOwn™ significantly inhibited the degeneration of the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and preserved the myelinated motor axons in an animal sciatic nerve injury model.
- Results of the study appear in the online edition of the journal Stem Cell Reviews and Reports;
- In the study, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from the femurs and tibias of adult rats were developed into NurOwn™ using a 2 step medium based differentiating protocol to induce the MSCs into NTF secreting cells. These cells produce and release high amounts of NTFs, such as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Sciatica, the most common peripheral neuropathy is characterized by muscle weakness, reflex changes and numbness. Tumors, cysts or other extraspinal insults can cause sciatica. The majority of sciatica patients suffer from persistent and severe types of pain, motor dysfunctions and prolonged disability.
The Bottom Line: This preclinical adult rat work previews the upcoming Phase 1 clinical trial of NurOwn™ for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological disorders. 4 days after transplantation, there was a statistically significant beneficial effect on the motor function in the NurOwn™ treated animals compared to the control rats, which did not receive cell transplants, or rats transplanted with non-differentiated MSCs. NurOwn™ preserved the myelinated motor axons and innervated peripheral muscles. So, let’s wait and see …
