Rapid recovery of segmental neurological function in a tetraplegic patient following transplantation of fetal olfactory bulb-derived cells

Abstract

Study design: Case report. Objective: Report rapid neurological changes in a complete tetraplegic following a cell injection procedure. Setting: Beijing, China. Methods: ASIA/IMSOP neurological scale. Immunostaining of cell cultures. Cellular transplantation to effect functional restoration following spinal cord injury (SCI) has been hypothesized to cause improvements through axonal regeneration, increased plasticity, or axonal remyelination. Several human trials are in preliminary phases. We report a rapid improvement in motor and sensory functions in the segment adjacent to the level of complete SCI within days following cellular transplantation of cultured fetal olfactory bulb-derived cells. The patient was an 18-year-old C3 ASIA A complete tetraplegic 18 months post-injury who had been neurologically stable for more than 6 months. Results: Within 48 h of cell transplantation, the patient improved one ASIA motor grade in the left elbow flexors and began to show right wrist extensor function. Descent of the sensory level occurred within 4 days and then the rate of change slowed. He is now a C5 motor and C4 sensory complete tetraplegic. Cellular cultures prepared in the same facility showed viable human cells that labeled for nestin and GFAP. Conclusion: We hypothesize that improved transmission in intact fibers subserving the zone of partial preservation accounts for these early improvements. We emphasize the need for further independent analysis of the outcomes of this and other preliminary cell transplant studies.

Reorganization and Preservation of Motor Control of the Brain in Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

“…A variety of experimental therapies are emerging to promote regeneration of the injured spinal cord, including the application of neurotrophic factors (Kwon et al, 2002), drug therapy (Baptiste and Fehlings, 2006), and cell-based therapies (Guest et al, 2006). If regeneration of the injured spinal cord, and thus reconnection of the brain to the muscles, is possible, it is vital that the brain must still be able to activate in a way that will generate movement.…”

Bridging defects in chronic spinal cord injury using peripheral nerve grafts combined with a chitosan-laminin scaffold and enhancing regeneration through them by co-transplantation with bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Case series of 14 patients

“…85 To account for these contradictory reports, it is hypothesized that improved transmission in intact fibers subserving the zone of partial preservation leads to early improvements. 86 Another possible explanation is the source, 87,88 culture conditions, and passage number [89][90][91][92] of the mesenchymal stem cells used, as all are known to influence mesenchymal stem cell potential. A third possible explanation is differential efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells from different donors.…”

Cellular Transplants in China: Observational Study from the Largest Human Experiment in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

“…Guest and others recently published the results of immunostaining 2 cell cultures provided by Dr Huang. 16 The cells appeared viable and were positive for the markers nestin and GFAP but negative for S-100. These cells were not clearly OECs but appeared to be astrocytes and immature cells.…”