Tel Aviv University researchers seek to end chronic paralysis and restore mobility to people who lost it by designing human spinal cord implants that they have already inserted into animal models with good results, marking a first "scientific progress" in the field.
The peer-reviewed study, published today in the scientific journal Advanced Science, focused on making functional human marrow tissues using human materials and cells that were implanted into laboratory models of chronic paralysis, restoring their "walking ability in 80% of tests"Tel Aviv University reported in a statement.
"The model animals underwent rapid rehabilitation, at the end of which they were able to walk fairly well."values ​​Tal Dvir, director of the research, carried out by scientists from the Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology of Tel Aviv University.
As he explains, the technology used has been based on "take a small biopsy of fatty tissue from the patient’s belly"which has "cells together with an extracellular matrix".
The cells are then separated, genetically engineered to be reprogrammed and turned back into something "similar to embryonic stem cells"capable of "become any type of cell in the body".
From the extracellular matrix, a "custom hydrogel" to which the stem cells are encapsulated, "in a process that mimics the embryonic development of the spinal cord"which converts cells "in 3D implants of neural networks with motor neurons".
The implants are then inserted into laboratory animals, divided between recently paralyzed and those who have been immobile for a long time, equivalent to a year in human terms.
After implantation, 100% of recently paralyzed and 80% chronically paralyzed lab models regained the ability to walk, Dvir notes.
Following this progress, the researchers are preparing for the next phase of the study, focused on clinical trials in human patients with paralysis, for whom they want to design personalized spinal cord implants to repair tissues damaged by an injury.
The challenge will be to do it without "risk of implant rejection"with the goal that those who lost mobility can return "to stand up and walk again".