Induced pluripotent stem cells restored the spinal cord

For the first time, scientists at Keio University in Japan managed to cure mice with damaged spinal cord and paralyzed hind limbs using induced pluripotent human stem cells, NHK reported.

In 2007, Japanese and at the same time American scientists managed to turn fibroblasts – skin cells – into so–called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) - induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), capable, like embryonic stem cells, of differentiating into cells of any tissue of the human body.

A group of scientists led by Professor Hideyuki Okano cultured iPSCs from human skin cells. Then cells were grown from them, from which nerve tissues are formed. The resulting cells were transplanted into 29 mice with paralyzed hind legs due to spinal cord injuries.

A month after the operation, all 29 mice began to walk, and some even ran. The therapeutic effect of human iPSCs has been proven for the first time in the world.

"(Our research) did not have as such a goal to achieve irrefutable evidence of the therapeutic effect of human iPSCs. But, nevertheless, the results obtained have become just such a proof. There are still questions related to the risk of developing tumors (after treatment), but at least we have taken the first step," Professor Okano said.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru according to the materials of RIA Novosti

04.02.2009