Transplantation of umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells as a novel strategy to protect the central nervous system: technical aspects, preclinical studies, and clinical perspectives

Stem cell based therapies for spinal cord injury

“…The interneurons differentiated from transplanted stem cells can sprout axons and bridge the spinal cord proximal and distal to the site of injury (De Feo et al, 2012;Dalous et al, 2012).…”

Transplantation of umbilical cord and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

“…While the functional differentiation and integration of MSC-derived neural cells into the brain has not been reliably demonstrated in vivo, evidence of neuro-protection through the production of trophic factors has been consistently observed. 1,2 Although pre-clinical studies have shown clear benefits in experimental models of MS, 3 clinical translation has been slow and therefore the benefits and risks in MS is mostly unknown. Most pre-clinical and clinical experience with MSCs have involved bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs).…”

Regenerative Therapy and Immune Modulation Using Umbilical Cord Blood–Derived Cells

“…The most popular technique to track UCB-derived MSCs in preclinical animal studies is based on the green fluorescent protein reporter gene transfection. After sacrificing treated animals and assessing injured tissues, such as the brain, using microscopic analysis, green fluorescent protein signals demonstrate that UCB stem cells can home to the injured brain [29]. In recipients of UCB transplantation, donor cells in the brain have been described at autopsy in patients with Hunter disease [30].…”